Oh hey there, Happy New Year! I like that I can use that as a hello, at least for a few more days. Today it’s officially back to life (back to reality), which is always a little tough. Did you set any new years resolutions, goals, or intentions this year? I guess I did even though I didn’t officially plan to, my real goal is to stick to the same path I am on but be much more focused on each moment and try to enjoy the journey much more. I do have some business goals and blog dreams (which sorta grew and carried over from last year), but I always find the hardest changes to make and quite honestly the most important, are the ones where I vow to take care of myself. I have gotten pretty good at taking care of myself and this is only because I vowed to do a better job years ago and it’s sorta stuck around, well generally (side eye). This year both Chris and I wanted to start the year out right (guns a blazing!) and do a much better job at taking care of ourselves (and counter act all the holiday treats), so on the 1st I started a 30 day hot yoga challenge and Chris and I dropped alcohol, sugar, dairy and gluten for 30 days – day 5 and all is good!

If you haven’t already set something, maybe this should be the year you focus on taking care of yourself? Not to be bossy or anything, but it’s a good year to make it a priority. It’s hard as an adult and honestly (I know it sounds so cliché) even harder as a parent to put yourself first, sometimes. Not that you should ever ignore your family, but sometimes, actually most of the time by taking care of yourself you are also taking care of everyone else.

So why not take some time this year and focus on small things, small changes that can and will make a big impact. I think it’s a good plan, if you have a big general goal like “take better care of myself” to set small actionable goals that fit into the larger theme. So since there are 12 months in a year, why not add 1 small change each month and do it for 30 day – small 30 day challenges if you will. By the end of 30 days you will most likely be sold and continue with it the habit – even if you didn’t make it a full 30 days, don’t beat yourself up! This way you can focus on the journey not just the end result, because really the end result is taking better care of yourself and feeling better – which is the journey. Making less sense now?

Here are 12 small things (in no particular order) to focus on for 30 days each that will ultimately make a big impact:

• drop white sugar – try it for 30 days, it’s hard!
• drink 8+ glasses a water a day. Get yourself a bottle, carry it everywhere and give yourself a goal of how many you drink per day.
• eat a healthy breakfast/don’t skip meals!
• be in the moment, focus and don’t multi task – I’m hoping after 30 days it’ll be much more of a habit.
• try a new workout or maybe be consistent with one you already do. Or maybe try a few new ones, just keep busy!
• go to bed early, or at a decent hour.
• learn a new skill/start a new hobby, hey it’s the year to take care of you!
• read more books, slow down and take time to read.
• try yoga and/or daily meditation, I’m a broken record on this topic I know.
• eat better! You’ll have to choose a lifestyle food change that works best for you (whole 30, clean eating – something that can be transitioned into a lifestyle change, no diets) – I tend to think a healthy detox is a great way to start.
• spend time cleaning out your closet. get rid of what you don’t need or wear – hey it usually takes me all month to do this!
• try something you’ve always wanted to, or spend the month catching up on very basic and simple you things – a haircut, doctors appointments, dentist, maybe a pedicure? Catch up on life things you’ve put off.

What do you think? I personally love the idea of focusing on something for 3o days, but maybe you want to jump in and make all the changes at once? That’s way awesome too! Maybe you are like me and you are sorta good at some of these things, or maybe practice a few regularly but need a restart/refresher? Is there anything else you would add to your “take care of yourself” list?