New Year, Same Me. What i want to Stop, Start & Continue in 2023

Like many people, I used to make a list of resolutions each New Year. Truth: they were usually either completely grandiose and unrealistic for me (“meditate every day”, “no sugar or white flour ever”), or totally unmeasurable (“Be more present” was on that list for years!).  And they ended up just making me feel kind of bad when I inevitably dropped them all by February of each year.

As I’ve gotten older, and maybe slightly wiser, I’ve tried to make strong intentions as opposed to outright resolutions, and also make them a bit SMARTer (as in Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely).  Over the past few years, some have been very successful, like daily exercise/movement and outdoor time (having a dog helps on both counts), and some have been less so, like dry brushing my body daily, and flossing every single day. (I’m not gross, I do floss, but I don’t love it and average a few times a week; more right before my dentist appointment LOL.)

 In 2022, I ate more sweets than I have in years – so weird because normally my vice is fatty/salty i.e. posh potato chips or really good cheese, but my sweet tooth returned in 2022 something fierce.  I definitely intend to address that in 2023, as it didn't feel good at all.

This year I’m trying something different, along the lines of “Do more of what works and less of what doesn’t”.  I’ve created a STOP START CONTINUE LIST instead of a list of resolutions. I’d love to know if any of these are on your list too, and what intentions you are setting for your own self-care. LMK in the comments!

STOP

• Snacking in the evening
• Drinking alcohol for month of January (both this and the snacking are easier with a cold glass or warm mug of Hey Relax Magnesium in the evening!)
• Eating gluten & sugar more than one day per week
• Negative self-chatter
• Skipping cleansing and moisturizing my face at night (this was a 2022 thing – like the sweets – it has to stop!)
• Comparing myself to others

START

• Cold-plunging (or at least give it a try minimum 3X)
• Staying off email and work platforms 1 day per week
• Celebrating work wins
• Taking movement classes at a studio weekly – not just home practice

• De-cluttering – home office, house, car

CONTINUE

• Prioritizing sleep
• Reading something non-work related at bedtime
• No phone in my bedroom
• Daily movement – short and sweet when I really don’t feel like it
• Getting outside for a walk daily
• Learning new skills & taking courses
• Networking with awesome female founders
• Flossing – increase to 5 x per week!
• Cooking
• Listening to podcasts on long drives
• Making the bed every morning
• Self-care Sunday bath with Niyama bath soaks and a good book

Do these resonate with you? What do you want to STOP, START, CONTINUE in 2023?