Happy New Year! It’s the time of the year when #goals sure is a trending topic. The best time to pause and acknowledge where we are in life right now, and plan for an amazing life ahead.
Same thing happens when you reach the age of 40, and hear the old adage “Life begins”.
You know, life begins when you start being present.. when you start paying attention to the cues of what is important for you in life. It is waking up and realizing that you have to make little changes to see better results.
Nothing changes when nothing changes
Yes, “nothing changes when nothing changes” so fight inertia. Rethink, rewrite, reinvent the way you do things. List down small changes that will get you closer to your goals. Goals that will make you look good, feel good, and be good. Start with one habit, and on to the next. Here are 7 essential habits each and everyone of us needs to seriously begin now.
HABIT #1 . EAT RIGHT
Simply begin by eating smart and enjoying your food. Eating smart is being fully aware of what you take in and being accountable for it. Fiber, calcium, vitamins and minerals supplements should be part of that smart list too. When in doubt, ask your doctor about it. Enjoying your food is taking time to savor the taste and to chew your food for proper digestion. In this turbo-charged world, try not to eat in a rush all the time.
HABIT #2 . TAKE A WALK
Did you know that walking is an exercise and is as beneficial as that high-intensity training? You don’t even need to be in the gym to walk. Take a walk outside, breathe in and out, and feel the sun touching your skin. You can take a brisk pace walk to get your heart pumping or a breeze 30-min walk to get your muscle working. The casual walk outside your space or office just to clear your head would also count. Whichever works for you, keep moving.
HABIT #3 . MAKE SLEEP A PRIORITY
I call this “the hard habit” but the most important. How can you really make it a priority when there’s so much to do, when there’s a lot to check on your phone with messages requiring instant replies, and when your mind is on a lot of different things? It’s just a matter of discipline. Have a “sleep time” and commit to it. After all your before bedtime routine, tuck in your bed, feel those soft pillows, remove any distractions within arms reach, say a prayer, close your eyes, and have a good night sleep.
HABIT #4 . LOVE YOUR BODY
Learn to love it — spots, wrinkles, stretch marks, and all! Be proud of your body and the amazing things it can do, strong woman! Focus on how you feel rather than looking at the scale or compare your body. If your child thinks you’re beautiful, you should too. Do activities that will make you feel sexy and confident. Take cues from what your feeling and pamper your body on what it deserves.
HABIT #5 . RECONNECT WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS
In the age of social media, it’s easy to think that getting those likes and hearts is called connecting. Know that keeping important relationships requires time and being truly present. When was the last time you check on your mom, or any one in the family? When did you last meet up with your friends and really talk about how you guys are? Be sure to pick up the phone and give them a call, invite them over, or go out. Trust me, the healthy effects of cuddles with loved ones, stomach cramping laughs over meals, and spending quality time far outweighs the stress from traffic to get there and the drawback of post meal food coma and calories.
HABIT #6 . SPEAK YOUR MIND
It is an essential skill. You earned your right to hold your opinion and to speak your mind . Be comfortable in sharing your thoughts more frequently and with intention, whether it’s an opinion, an idea, an observation, or sharing a piece of you to someone. But before you speak, listen and think, and choose your words carefully. In this way, you’ll be able to maintain respect and the relationship.
HABIT #7 . GO EXPLORE
There is so much life ahead of you. If you want to do something, just do it. Let experiences take you in a journey. Plan something new that you can start doing on weekends, a good adventure once a month, or book a trip to a new destination once a year. Find your compass, explore and live your life to the fullest.
There, now it’s your turn! Grab a pen and your favorite notebook, sit on a comfy couch by the window or at the den, and think “What life rules will I rewrite today? (because dear, your life, your rules now yeah?) . Write in the comment below that one habit you can start today or share this post so it can reach and encourage at least one person to do the same.