A New Approach

Each year I look forward to the start of a new year I feel like it’s the time when the slate gets wiped clean and possibilities are endless. I’m especially looking forward to this year because the passed year has been one of  the hardest years of my life. I received a major life altering surgery and recently had to have an emergency surgery. My body, mind and spirit have been challenged and pushed more this year than ever. As a result, I’ve decided I’m not going to refer to my goals and resolutions for this new year as such instead, I would prefer to call them mindset changes and habit forming. Classifying them this way seems more approachable and achievable to me. I feel that whenever anybody sets out to accomplish something new it’s at great motivation to have like a mindset, mantra or even a symbol in mind. A vision board might be something to help aid this. I appropriately have chosen to use “rise of the Phoenix.” I think the Phoenix being a mythical bird that rises out of its own ashes and is renewed in freshness and youth aptly portrays where I am (recovering) and where I want to be (thriving).

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My mindset and habit forming agenda for this year is focused around thriving in all aspects of life. Personally the biggest obstacle I face is how I use my time. I want to optimize my time by multi-tasking more (i.e. working out while watching Netflix) and eliminate wasted time habits (watching Netflix and not accomplishing anything). I also, want to compartmentalize my time with things that are really important but don’t necessarily take precedent when I’m busy like working out, meal prepping or doing something creative. These things need to be a higher priority for me in my daily life because they feed my mind, body and spirit. I’ve decided to carve out 1hr. – 30 minute daily blocks for these. The mindset and habit forming here is to be consistent no matter how I feel or if I don’t think I have time I’m taking time to move, prep and create. I feel like efficient time management is such a big task and can affect so many aspects of my life positively that I’m not focusing on anything else.

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Please comment below about what you’re hoping to accomplish this new year or if you have any tips about what works for you. Let’s support each other!

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Cheers to 2018!

I don’t know about you but the stillness of winter, the holidays and the start of a new year make me super nostalgic and contemplative. In light of everything that’s happened this year in the United States I realized, that I’m just grateful. Grateful that my family, friends and I didn’t have to live through a major natural disaster or endure a terrorist attack etc… I’m grateful that as a woman I’m able to speak my mind, be educated and hold a job of my choosing. As a result, my resolutions, goals, dreams whatever you want to call them have become simplified. As far as I’m concerned, as long as my family and friends are healthy and happy everything else is just icing on the cake. I hope and pray this coming year is a year of good health, blessings and happiness for you and yours. I’m genuinely thankful for each and every one of you. Cheers to 2018!

– Nicole

New Year! New Inspiration!

Today I’m sharing some of my favorite creative people I follow. If you want to jump-start your creativity for the coming year definitely check out each and every one of these people!

Designers

Emily Henderson

Joy Cho – Oh Joy!

Joanna Gaines – Magnolia

Tiffany Pratt

DIYers 

A Beautiful Mess – Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman

Aww Sam – Sam Ushiro

Studio DIY – Kelly Mindell

Oh! I also follow her hubby who’s a photographer Jeff Mindell @jeffmindell

Fashion                                                                                                                                                     

The Miller Affect – Amanda Miller

Gal Meets Glam – Julia Engel

cupcakes and cashmere – Emily Schuman

Authors/Books – Creative Community

Moorea Seal @mooreaseal

52 Lists; Make Yourself at Home

Grace Bonney – Design Sponge

In The Company of Woman

 

 

Looking Forward to 2017

I always get excited about the start of a new year. The air is full of new opportunities just waiting to be taken. This year I’m going to continue to pursue new hobbies, go new places, experience new cultures/things while taking better care of myself and document it here. I welcome you to join me on a journey of positive progression. I’m a major planner so I always get a stylish big planner before the end of the year to keep me on track with my new plans for the upcoming year. I also like to make a list of my goals. For me visually seeing and writing down my goals helps remind me of what they are so my focus on how to accomplish them is that much greater. In addition, to planning out things and making lists I like to surround myself with things that inspire me whether that be music, books, podcasts, art etc.. I always encourage people to listen to or read biographies on people that they are inspired by. I also suggest seeing an art exhibition or listening to music that moves you. I know achieving my goals becomes easier for me when I’m passionate about them so I challenge you to find what you’re passionate about. Come the end of next year I might not accomplish everything I’ve set out to do and that’s fine but, as long as I’ve grown in a positive way that’s a win for me.