New Year, New You

Hey, friend!  Happy New Year!  I seriously can’t believe the holiday season flew by so fast, can you?  I feel like it was just Cyber Weekend and I found myself doing extremely too much shopping.  Now that we are officially in 2019, I will still be doing too much shopping but that’s my job, right?  I mean, I need to bring the sales and latest trends for you ;).  Anyway, all shopping aside today, I want to share 5 positive pieces of advice to help you in your New Year, New You mentality!  Everyone says New Year, New You every year, right?  I don’t know though, I feel like this year is different and it will be our year to shine.  Sooo, first, I want to share some of my goals with you; then, I’ll jump into the 2019 advice to get that New Year momentum started!

Shop my look:

(Also linking the velvet cardigan that I have as well and it comes in 9 colors)

(Bag from White Rhine Bags – Signature Backpack in Cashew Dream.  More on these bags in my White Rhino Bags blog post!)

My Goals

Like I said, I want to share some of my goals with you because, by setting them, I am here to help both you and me! Plus, it holds me accountable to achieving these goals.

• My personal goal is to get back on my original fitness routine of going to the gym on a regular basis!  I’ve, honestly, slacked a lot this holiday season because the hustle and bustle got the best of me.  I’m naturally petite so, although it may not look like it, I feel way out of shape.
  • With that said, this is where it will help you!  I’m going to start sharing more fitness and nutrition on the blog with you all!  I’m a former personal trainer and have researched nutrition like crazy so I will give the disclaimer that all opinions are my own and that it’s stuff that has worked for me; but, I get requests for more fitness all the time, so I want to start sharing more of it with you 🙂
• My career goal is to get at least one blog post out a week for you!  I get so much great feedback when I get posts out, so I want to make sure I am a reliable, consistent resource for you, whether it be fashion, life, beauty, fitness, etc., I am going to bring more of it all in 2019.  (P.S. Comment below on this blog post if there is something specific that you want to see more of on here.)
  • To piggy back off of that, I am going to focus more on content creation instead of the dreaded Instagram algorithm!  It feels good to say that!  Not that the algorithm has been a #1 priority but anytime we (me and my team) put thought into the content, we think “Will this perform well on Instagram?”.  Well, here’s the thing, you guys follow along this journey because you enjoy my content, info, and resources; so, from now on, I promise to approach all situations with the thought – “Will this perform well with my readers and will it bring value to them and their life in some way, shape, or form?”
• On another career note, I’m also planning to do at least one activity per week that benefits my acting career; and, I’m planning to cut myself off from work at a certain time each night to get more time with the hubby and pups!  I’m still finalizing and specifying those details so I can schedule it out, but I’ll elaborate more on those later 🙂

Shop the look:

(My coat is from Lulu’s but sold out so I’ve linked almost exact in lots of prices ranges!)

5 positive pieces of advice for the New Year

Now, let’s chat the New Year, New You mindset!  Every year we say this, right?  Like I said earlier, I feel different about it this year.  I feel that 2019 is our time to shine if we really want it.  The advice I have is either something I’ve done at the end of 2018 or something I’m incorporating for 2019 that I feel will help get off to a great, fresh start for 2019.

1. Set Goals – So that’s what this whole blog is about, right?  I shared mine above so I want you to write your goals on a piece of paper to hold yourself accountable so you don’t lose sight of them.  Then, pick three people who emulate these goals.  Study them and see what they do to achieve these goals.  Incorporate those positive habits into your life!  Eventually you will achieve these same goals.  Be realistic by setting the small goals to get to the big goals, but still set the big goals 🙂
2. Make use of a good planner – My planner is my lifeline!  I have everything from reminders, to birthdays, to appointments and events written in it.  It fits in my purse (my medium backpack purse lol) and comes everywhere with me!  I do better with a planner to write in; but, if you’re better with an electronic version, use your phone or computer!  Whatever will make you stick to it, use a planner and plan out these good habits and goals that you are about to incorporate and set!  I will link my favorite planner and it’s accessories below because I live by Erin Condren!  #ECSquad all the way! 😀  P.S. The left is my new planner for this year and the right is last years planner but the covers are interchangeable so I can switch them out anytime and buy new seasonal ones to incorporate into the year!  So fun!
   
3. Closet Clean-out – Talk about a fresh feeling!  You have to love a good closet clean-out. I have a few cycles of this because, as a blogger, I get clothes left and right.  First, I go through the everyday stuff that I am just going to donate, then I go through the stuff that is a little pricier and list it on Poshmark or do a small closet sale.  Take a day and just get rid of old clothes, handbags, lotions, etc.  One tactic I use, that is very beneficial when I am cleaning out my closet, is asking myself, “If I were in the store right now, would I purchase this?”  If it’s not a Hell Yes!, it’s a no!
4. Change a bad habit for at least 30 days – We all have bad habits!  I’m not asking you to change your entire life around in one day.  I’m just asking that you pick one bad habit, and start making the change for 30 days.  You will be surprised at your desire to keep it going, then you will want to move on the next one and keep bettering yourself.  My first one is to stop reaching for my phone first thing in the morning!  My hubby, Dean, posts a lot about these self-help activities on his Insta if you want more of this!
5. Be present for 2 minutes per day –  Lastly, we should always be present, right?  But, I know I’m guilty of wandering off thinking of my to-do list or what we have to shoot this week or the dreaded finances, etc., etc. etc.  We all do it.  Try to be as present as you can but, when stuff get’s in the way, sit and allow yourself TWO MINUTES of personal breathing time and focus on you!  Listen to your breath, be aware of the sounds you hear and the feels you feel – be present with you and give yourself that time!  Once the two minutes becomes easy, add more, and so on!

Final Thoughts

Look at the start of this New Year as a fresh start!  Your past doesn’t have to be your past because your present is all you really have and your future is what you are ready to make of it.  Tennessee Williams once said, “Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going.”  Wow, that quote speaks volumes to me!  Set goals, plan them out, achieve them, and be present while doing this so you have the best memories of your journey!  Oh, and take lots of pics 🙂

Happy New Year, my friend!

I look forward to sharing 2019 with you in all its entirety; and, I hope you tag me in your photos so I can see your journey and accomplishments, as well!  Cheers to a new beginning and New Year!

XO,

Michelle

written by: Michelle West

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