My 2020 New Year's Intentions
By talking to friends, both IRL + digitally, browsing social media, and conferring with colleagues + peers, it seems like I am not alone in this:
2019 WAS A YEAR OF GROWING PAINS FOR A LOT OF US.
As we enjoy the last few hours of this decade, I am SO looking forward to 2020, not only because of the plans I have for my career + business, but because of the plans I have for my life outside of work: Something I will admit that I have neglected this year.
Building my business + career will almost be a priority for me, but I am vowing to myself, that going into this new year, I plan to live a slower, healthier, more mindful life that will ultimately help me achieve better balance, better health mentally + physically, and a better quality of life all-around.
I’m typically not one for traditional “New Years Resolutions” - they tend to set us up for failure, in a sense: feeling like “rules” we place upon ourselves, restrictions to not eat this or not do that, unattainable goals that are maybe too big + not calculated, so we get over it in a few weeks, throw in the towel, and go back to our old ways of doing things.
I am, however, a HUGE fan of starting fresh, embarking on a new chapter, introducing new + improved ways of doing things, and bettering myself with new plans of action that are sustainable + manageable.
With that being said, I wanted to share tonight not my New Year’s Resolutions, but instead my New Years Intentions for 2020.
INTENTION #1: EXERCISE AT LEAST 4 TIMES A WEEK.
This week, I went to hot yoga twice, rode my bike another day, and went for a 4 mile run by the beach another day, and OMG it felt. sooo. good. I get so caught up with work that I forget how great I feel when I get outside + get my body moving. Exercise gets your heart pumping, your blood flowing, and the endorphins that are released are so, so good for your psyche. I live In Newport Beach minutes away from the ocean, too, which is a luxury I am very grateful to have. That’s why I’m making it a point this year to get out way more often, soak in some sunshine, gift my body some Vitamin D + clear my head from the stresses of work + managing my businesses.
INTENTION #2: FOCUS MORE ON HUMAN CONNECTION.
I am totally guilty of having an endless to-do list, a busy schedule, and being glued to my laptop probably (who am I kidding - definitely!) more than I should be, and sometimes, human connection is something that goes by the wayside. What do I mean by this? I tend to prefer emails to phone calls, text messages to face-to-face interaction, and I can honestly say this is due to the stress of my workload + having so much to do that getting it done the quickest + most efficient way is sometimes the most appealing way.
Kyle has honestly been a huge catalyst in inspiring me to get more in tune with that desire for human connection - that kid connects with everyone! The cashier at the local Whole Foods, the owner of the cafe we go to for breakfast down the street, the security guard at the bank - I’m not kidding. This type of genuine connectedness to people + interest in their lives is something I admire so much, and I have realized that it’s something within me too, it’s just been masked by the “go, go, go”.
I’ve been working on being more connected to other people these last couple of months, and I have found that only does it open opportunities for more authentic interactions, but it makes both parties feel all warm + fuzzy inside. Definitely something worth focusing on more in 2020.
INTENTION #3: DRINK MORE WATER.
Not gonna lie - this one tends to be on every single goal list, intention list, you name it, in the last couple of years, but I am putting my foot down once + for all and DOING THE DAMN THING. The truth of the matter is, I am not a person who gets thirsty often, so drinking water has been a challenge for me all of my life. I recently purchased an extra large hydroflask, however, and have the thing glued to me wherever I go, whatever room I’m in at my apartment, in the car with me at all times. I’ve been working on drinking more water for the past few weeks, and I can already feel the benefits to my skin + overall health. Who knew that something that should be easy could actually be so challenging, lol.
INTENTION #4: NURTURE MY FRIENDSHIPS.
Last month, I reached out to several of my longtime girlfriends + expressed how apologetic I was for being so distant this year. Some really appreciated the gesture and some were like “girllll, I know how it gets. No sweat.” I love how diverse my girlfriends are! Although I’m not proud of this, I can honestly say that I did not nurture my friendships this year. I went through a traumatic breakup at the beginning of the year, and it was my busiest year, work-wise, since I started my company (we did 60+ weddings, 15 styled shoots, and several other projects along the way, phew!)
I am a firm believer in that everyone HAS time for anything they want to make time for. I hate the phrases “I don’t have time” + “I’m just so busy.” HAVING time is a matter of MAKING time for what is important to you.
I love hosting friends over at my place for wine + cheese, trying out new restaurants, and planning fun outings like wine tasting + Sunday brunches and these types of activities + time to unwind are really food for the soul.
INTENTION #5: SAVE MORE MONEY + GET SMART WITH MY FINANCES.
Up to this point, the hustle + grind has been real, and I’m happy with the living that I make for myself, but I am dedicated to saving money + getting smart with my finances this year. I still owe some money to my student loans that I’d love to take care of, and I have already discovered (although no surprise), that giving up small (but costly!) habits like grabbing Starbucks + eating out can really save a TON of money over time. I realized today that I hadn’t had a Starbucks coffee in about a month and a half, and it felt good realizing that it wasn’t even something that I had missed over the weeks! This year, I’m excited about cooking more meals at home + spending more time with friends in rather than out (incorporating Intention #4, yay!) and seeing how the money accumulates in my bank account over time. I know that will feel like such an accomplishment!
