I know I'm not the only one that finds themselves in an evil little funk every once in a while. I've been fighting one off for the past few months & am finally starting to get myself in a good headspace again. I wish I could say that there was one simple magic thing that helped me feel good again - believe me I'd share it with you in a heartbeat - but, like everything else in life, it's taken some work. Today I'm sharing my perfect formula that has helped me get back on track to be a happier & healthier person.
1. Start a Fitness Challenge
Before this month, I hadn't worked out in over a year. Guys, that's really embarrassing to admit but I'm here to keep it totally real with you. I've totally been neglecting how important it is to just get up and move. I've found myself really unhappy with how my body looks (and feels) lately & when I look back to photos of when it looked and felt better, the common theme from that time of my life was consistent exercise + a clean diet (more on that later).
So this month a coworker of mine was kind enough to create a custom fitness challenge (think one of those Pinterest-worthy monthly challenges focused on one theme - like squats, sit-ups, & planks - but ours includes all 3) and she committed to doing it with me. Other coworkers were so excited by our enthusiasm about it that they joined in, too! I'm just over a week in but it feels so damn good to be doing some sort of exercise again. I'm already looking into other options to add more activity to my life! Do you have any favorite workouts or gyms/classes that I should check out? Let me know in the comments below!
2. Get a Facial
Have you ever had a facial? I just got my first one a few weeks ago at Skin Spa on the UES and, guys, I don't know what was holding me back from getting one before! Never have a I felt so confident in my own skin (hence all these sans-makeup photos today!) than after getting my treatment from my incredible aesthetician Laura. I can't tell you the number of people who see me on a regular basis that asked me what new foundation I was wearing -- they were so surprised to hear I hadn't changed a single thing, my skin was simply that much better!
Skin Spa was so gracious to treat me to the Time Eraser Facial which my aesthetician referred to as "the works!" This is essentially a 3-in-1 facial focused on reducing fine lines, age & sun spots, enlarged pores, redness, and the list goes on. The service was about 1 hour long and included steam, extractions, a glycolic peel, and laser genesis treatment. I was kind of lost in relaxation during the entire service & loved trading New York transplant stories with Laura!
Again, this entire tip is about truly feeling confident in your skin. Mine has drastically improved as I've gotten older and I've by no means been shy about going makeup free in public pre-facial, but this treatment has definitely boosted my confidence. My skin is firmer, clearer, and so glowy! Trust me when I say you'll be so thankful you invested in your own self-confidence! If you're interested in trying out Skin Spa they currently have the Time Eraser Facial deeply discounted - nearly 40% off!! Just let me know in the comments if I can answer any questions for you!
3. Eat Clean
Food is my vice. Ugh. I'm basically breaking a sweat just thinking about how to write this one. I've always had an unhealthy relationship with food & zero self-control. Zilch. Nada. Last year I started working with a Nutritional Therapist who literally changed my life. I learned how to eat well and - bonus - how to make my body feel awesome by eating well. Seriously life changing & I promise you an entire post on this in the future.
So I know what to eat, how to do make it work with my NYC lifestyle -- I just wasn't doing it anymore. I could not seem to motivate myself to get started again but the previously mentioned fitness challenge, I was ready! It always amazes me that when you put one foot out to take a leap, the other foot follows and progress starts. So just like the fitness challenge I'm just over a week in but I feel good. I'm motivated. And I am completely confident that you will feel this way, too. Kick the sugar, the dairy, the grains -- these things are just holding you back. Take control of how you feel by eating clean!
4. Treat Yourself to a Manicure
Or to lash extensions, a spray tan -- whatever it is that will make you feel like you've got your shit together. For me, it's having my nails done. I feel incomplete without a fresh coat of paint in a color that makes me feel good. You don't have to spend a fortune on going to the salon all the time, but even if you're an at-home mani kinda person, treat yourself every once in a while. Let someone do the work for you. Invest in feeling pampered. You deserve it.
5. Embrace your passion
This will undoubtedly be different for each and every one of you - and that's what makes this one so special. We all have different talents, gifts, dreams.. and they are all very important. You absolutely should live a life where you are pursuing your passion. Sometimes all the clutter in life gets in the way - that's definitely what's happened to me on and off for the last few months years. How am I getting back on track? Not being afraid to talk about what I want with those that care about me. When I am willing to open up and share my struggles I get the most amazing support, advice, and motivation to keep going for it. This is the person I want to be for you. I want you to know that no dream is too small - we can all make our dreams a reality. Find at least one thing that you can do each day that allows you to work on your passion and do it. It's that simple - one step at a time.
As I said before, there is no perfect formula for everyone but these 5 things have really helped me feel so much better about myself lately. I would love to hear about some of the things that help lift you up -- I can use all the tricks I can get! Let me know in the comments below!
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