I’m sure everyone is over all the New Year’s stuff – I don’t know about you but I had to take a break from Instagram and all the highlight reels! However, in a recent solo podcast I answered a bunch of listener questions and a lot of you wanted to know what I’m taking with me into 2022, as well as what I’m leaving behind. So, here’s a recap of everything you wanted to know…
What’s one wellness thing you started in 2021 that you will continue in 2022?
Last year I started walking… a LOT! My goal has been to walk 12K or more steps per day which has by far been the best thing I started doing. For those of you who don’t know, I tore a ligament in my foot last year and was having some pretty bad side effects from the medication I was taking. I was also pretty sedentary because I couldn’t walk, so I was feeling terrible both physically and mentally. So, once I was finally able to walk again, I started going for really long walks which was really the only thing I could do physically. I ended up enjoying my walks so much that it stuck with me – I slowly started to increased my daily step goal to 12K. So, if you’re new to walking then I recommend starting slow. Maybe start with a 2K step goal and work your way up from there. A physical trainer once told me that some of the healthiest people they know are walkers – it’s something you can do at any age and is way more sustainable than killing yourself at the gym.
I actually look forward to my daily walks and having a daily goal keeps me motivated – however, my day also isn’t ruined if I for some reason can’t reach that goal. Most of the time I actually walk more than 12K steps a day and I just notice that I have more energy and feel my best when I’m active. Not to mention, I sleep SO much better on days that I achieve my step goal versus the days that I don’t. So, for those of you who have problems sleeping, I highly recommend getting in those steps! What I also love about walking is that you can break it up throughout the day. You don’t necessarily need to go for super longs walks – try taking work call while you go for a walk or listen to a podcast on the treadmill rather than on the couch. Trust me, you’ll be shocked at how many steps you can get in if you’re constantly staying active rather than sedentary.
How do you gain self-confidence and not be so self-critical?
For me, confidence comes from directing energy outwards. I think all too often wellness focusses on oneself, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to think about myself. I find it exhausting and something I learned in recovery was the less I focused on myself and started thinking about others and what I put out into the world, the happier and more confident I became. We think we need to do all this work on ourselves and think about ourselves through journaling or meditating, and while I do those things, I find that volunteering or being creative and thinking more outwardly is really the best thing you can do for gaining self-confidence. I always feel the least critical about myself when I’m doing something I’m proud of like working on a hobby, showing up for a workout that I didn’t feel like doing, helping a friend, or coming up with a new recipe. Reducing self-criticism never works when you’re constantly thinking of yourself.
How do you deal with failure?
I try to see failure as an opportunity or steppingstone to get where I want to be. What is meant for me will come to me and what is not meant for me is often what would be considered a failure. So, if I’m forcing something or struggling with something, then it’s probably because it’s not meant to happen. I don’t learn and grow from everything going my way. I think failure is often an opportunity to evolve – try to find the lesson and grow through it rather than allow it to stop you or get in your way of achieving what you truly want.
How can you be more productive in the New Year?
I got a bunch of questions about organization and productivity – so, one of my tips includes outsourcing whatever you can so you can spend more time doing the things that are most important, whether that’s in your personal or professional life. Another tip I have is frontloading where you carve out more free time by adding more on certain days – that way you can time block on heavier days and have lighter days as well. Another thing I recommend is setting boundaries. So, whether that’s consuming social media or watching TV, set limits on whatever is consuming a lot of your time.
What are some other tips for decompressing and starting the new year off well?
Just start and start small. So, whether that’s focusing on your morning routine or having a daily step goal, have non-negotiables that you’re committed to. Even if it’s ten minutes a day, start with small attainable goals that will eventually become habits.
Anyway, I hope you’re all having a happy New Year! You can listen to my full podcast episode here for more of my mindset and motivational tips!
