Resolutions: Young and Sweet, Only (20)17

12/31/2016
Last photo of the old year

I'm celebrating 2017 by having my first cold in years. It is a good omen. You know, purging all the mucus and muck of the last year out of my system by forcing myself to take a breather (despite the inversion plagued atmosphere). I struggled coming up with some solid new years resolutions and my friends were hesitant to just pick a resolution for me.  But I finally settled on some pretty good ones to start out the year:

1. Eat what I want, whenever I want

A little over a year ago, I began eating this way, and I was the most healthy and happy with my body I had ever been. Eating this way turned food back into food, and not a punishment or a reward or a solace or anything other than food. Ice cream was just ice cream. Only eating when I wanted to also meant I made choices NOT to eat things just because they were placed before me, or  because I was feeling bad, sad, happy...whatever. It was wonderful. I felt free. For the first time, I was happy with my body and in tune with my needs. 

BUT, surprise stressors popped up in my life,  and I slipped back into my own old ways of thinking (and eating). I'm anxious to get back into that way of living. Holla to Geneen Roth and her book "Women, Food and God" for teaching me how to do it. 

2. No phone in my bed

For real, Sarah Andersen

For too long, I have begun and ended my day with social media check-ins. I'm not into making phones into the scape goat, and villainizing social media, but I do need to be more conscious about how I spend my time. This video about the unique challenges millennials face helped put my phone addiction into perspective. I'm guilty of leaving my phone on the table, scrolling through while I'm talking through friends, you name it. Having at least one space as a "no phone zone" will hopefully put me in a better headspace. Worst comes to worst, I can use Miranda July's technique to avoid distraction: 

3. Let a smile be my default

Always good one, that Thich Nhat Hanh

I think being mentally, emotionally and spiritually open has to start something. If the only thing you can muster in the face of awkward social situations is a smile, that's better than nothing. I've always hated that cheesy way of thinking, but it it works, I'll take it. This past Sunday, I put that my facial expressions to the test, and it made a HUGE difference. I have to admit, it also felt unnatural and weird (I'm an RBF kind of girl), but I'm certain it will get better with practice. Yoga was helpful in helping me realize that the way we hold our face can affect our whole mood. It's a real thing, you guys. 

Here's to a happier, healthier, and more present year for all of us. Cheers.

1/1/2017
First photo of the new year