2024 - Intentions, Expectations and Dirty Wellness
Happy New Year Everyone!
I hope you’re all well and that you had a lovely Christmas! Can you believe it’s 2024!
It feels very strange to be almost half way through the 2020’s even though it’s probably been one of the most chaotic decades in a very long time. Still here we are…welcoming another January. As many of you know I absolutely love January, it’s like a bigger version of Monday which I also love. A time to reset, set new intentions and goals and clean out the mess and over indulgence of Christmas.
I always start the clear up just before New Year so that I can head into January feeling fresh and whilst i’m not a big believer in resolutions I do like to reflect on the past year and think about the things I’d like to achieve in the coming 12 months. I’ve always used visualization as a method of reaching my goals as I believe getting into the mindset helps you make both conscious and unconscious decisions towards whatever it is you’ve set yourself. I also like to be realistic, whilst I have long term goals they can’t always be reached in a year and so often for me its about stepping stones, am I that little bit closer to the end goal than I was last year? Sometimes I may have not moved at all and that’s ok. It’s also important to enjoy the unexpected twists and turns of life which may take you on a side road. 2023 taught me to be open and to relinquish control now and again (That’s never easy for me). Sometimes the greatest surprises arrive in the empty space. In diary weeks that are not filled to the brim. I hope to be more trusting of the process this year and to ride the ebb and flow of what comes my way rather than trying to control everything as it’s brought me some wonderful opportunities this year.
What are your hopes for the year ahead and what’s your process? Let me know in the comments, I love hearing other peoples ideas.
One of my other favourite things to do at the start of the year is to buy a new diary. A good old fashioned paper one that I can feel and smell the fresh pages of. I like filling in the first few days and major dates of the year but then get excited about how the other pages are going to be filled. I also love to blow out the cobwebs of Christmas indulgence and get outside for a blustery New Years Day walk. It helps to reset my mind and energise my body and is the first major step of me getting active again after Christmas. I love balance and so if I feel I’ve had my fill during the festive period I’m ready to get back to basics and cut back on the indulgent stuff. I heard the term ‘dirty wellness’ used to describe the idea of incorporating important wellness principles into your daily lifestyle without completing restricting yourself. I’d say this sums up how I feel about self care. Self care is absolutely about looking after your health, mind and body and the pillars of exercise, diet and sleep are the core foundations, however I think it’s important to remember small changes make a big difference and so if you are looking to feel healthier and fitter this year maybe opt to change one thing at a time rather than try to do a complete overhaul. Start small and build yourself up to your goals that way it will be more manageable and you’ll probably have greater overall success as being too strict can often have the reverse effect. I’m the same with my work, having had a bit of downtime over Christmas I’m ready to get back to it and am very excited that our new podcast series launches this month with more wonderful special guests. Stay tuned for chats with Michelle Ackerley, Donna Ashworth, Dr Louise Newson, Tanya Bardsley, Laura Hamilton and many more.
Anyway I hope you have a wonderful start to the New Year and that you enjoy the new season ahead. Let me know how you get on with your goals and intention setting.
Much Love,
Natalie X
JANUARY Top 5
As we enter a new month here are a few of the things that will be filling my cup this January. (From left to right)
What I’m listening to: From her debut album Messy, the beautiful and soulful Dive by Olivia Dean.
What I’m watching: Fool Me Once, Netflix. Acclaimed writer Harlan Coben’s latest edge of your seat thriller featuring Michelle Keegan, Richard Armitage & Joanna Lumley (keep your eyes peeled for someone else).
What I’m reading: Fearless by Trinny Woodall….it’s by Trinny about Trinny, a definite winner!
What I’m using: Dr Teals Epsom Salts to ease away the decadence of Christmas
What I’m eating: My husband’s Shepherds Pie! Hearty and wholesome it’s perfect for cold January nights. Swap out the meat for plant based options if you’re trying out veganury.
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