Let’s Get Ready for the New Year

I personally don’t like setting resolutions as I believe they are too lofty to achieve in the New Year. Very often people give up on this huge goals within the month of January so this year I am going to be more mindful. I want to think of themes I can improve on during the New Year so I don’t feel like I’ve failed at something. I think setting themes or just general healthier ways of living and thinking can be something to work towards. Setting a quick switch doesn’t work because it takes weeks to form actual habits.

These are just my personal themes of the year so make sure to set some time aside to really think about what is important to you. This year I really want to push myself out of my comfort zone especially with my new job.

Look Back of 2023

When I reflect back on 2023, I had major changes this year in my life. Since 2015 I have been rounding 5 days a week in an ICU and after COVID I was really looking for a switch. Truthfully, I know a lot of people don’t know this but I suffered severe anxiety during the COVID pandemic just from seeing so much hardship and experiencing an immense amount of stress. Being an absolute perfectionist, not being able to treat patients with sound scientific evidence took a toll on me. I would cry almost every day when I got home from work or when I found out that someone had COVID during the early times.

In July of 2023, I made a massive career switch into the pharmaceutical industry where I work in a very scientific role with clinical trials and maintaining all learnings in the Cardiovascular and Atherosclerosis space. So far, I am really enjoying myself because I feel appreciated and that I have time to actually read all clinical research super in-depth. My new job is pushing me out of my comfort zone because I am an introvert.

In addition in 2023, I learned to take some time for self-care and my general well-being. Every week I think of one thing I can do for myself. For example, I get my $35 one hour foot massages, get a manicure, try a new workout class, get a new beauty product, or try a new homemade recipe on Pinterest. My most recent one was my homemade Gingerbread chai latte. It is so easy to forget yourself but on Sunday if you just take 5 minutes to think about what would be interesting to try that week just do it! I recently did a post on more in-depth self care so check that out!

Lastly, my sister and her husband finally moved to the East Coast with my favorite puppy in the world, Miss Moo (I also call her Loopy because she never knows what’s going on). My sister and I are identical twins and we are obsessed with each other LOL. We literally would talk 5 times a day when she lived in Seattle and now she lives 20 minutes away. Honestly I don’t even know how this happened as this is a huge move across the country but I prayed for years for this to happen!

New Year Theme: Confidence and Self-Esteem

1. Don’t compare yourself to others: The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. If you find yourself comparing on social media just remember it isn’t real most of the time. It is just one picture or a still frame of someone’s life. If you find social media to be toxic, take a break.
2. Identify your strengths and areas for opportunity.
3. Be realistic: Change doesn’t happen overnight so just work on becoming the best version of yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, you just have to learn from learn from them and move on.
4. Share your feelings: If you have a great friend group or family, people will listen. Even if you don’t you can take to a therapist, mentor, or a religious figure. It’s important to let people know how you feel. If you feel like they aren’t listening don’t get discouraged!

This year I want to identify my weak areas as a professional. We have some new programs at work that help us with networking and becoming a better leader that I plan to take advantage of. I am extremely shy so it is difficult from me to just approach people and start up a conversation. I have been looked at up and down numerous times at medical conferences where people just won’t even say a friendly hello when I ask a question but I need to tell myself that I tried and to move on.

New Year Theme: Physical Health

1. Regular Exercise: Commit to a regular exercise routine for at least 30 minutes a day. I recently downloaded the Sculpt Society application on my phone where they have 30 minute work out sculpt classes. I find them to be quick and easy. I would recommend just finding a workout that you love and switch it up every couple of months so you don’t get bored.
2. Balanced Diet and Drink Water: Focus on having nutritious foods and limit processed foods. I think processed foods are in everyone’s diet. I am personally trying to make more homemade snacks and buy from local businesses for cleaner ingredients. I find when I have my berry smoothie in the morning I feel 100x better.
3. Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to give enough rest to your body. This is way easier said than done. I have started a sleep routine at night where I mist my pillow with lavender spray and put my phone aside. I now pick up my book and I typically fall asleep by the 10th page. You want to create a very cozy environment for yourself. It doesn’t need to be expensive so just cozy up with fluffy blanket, good sheet spray, and even a facial mist before sleeping.
4. Mindful Eating: Practice mindful eating, paying attention to your body. Something that has helped me with mindful eating is not looking at my phone or watching tv. This allows my body to really focus on when I am full. I can really work on this though because it is super easy to scroll on your phone.
5. Regular Check-ups: Schedule regular health check-ups and screenings. I caught the beginning stages of melanoma on my forehead super early. They were able to just take a large biopsy without any further treatment. I highly recommend skin screening, dental appointments, and physical exams amongst others. I am a person who religiously wears sunscreen and doesn’t tan but it is still extremely important to have your skin checked by a dermatologist. It is uncomfortable as they literally check EVERYWHERE but who cares it’s better to find cancer early.

Mental Health

1. Seek therapy if needed to work through challenges. Sometimes you need an outsiders perspective to be able to think about something in a different light. I find it easier than ever to connect to someone through different apps that are available. Remember if you don’t like someone that you are matched with…switch them.
2. Mindfulness: Practice being present in the moment to reduce anxiety. I tend to spiral in thoughts about everything in the future. I have learned to write everything down so I can be present in the moment. I have an old school planner where I write everything down into the future so I am not bogged down with deadlines that don’t exist yet.
3. Learning to Say No: Don’t overcommit; learn to decline tasks that overwhelm you. Again, this is easier to say than do. If you truly don’t think something is valuable to you or will serve you in a positive way just politely say no. Remember that you don’t owe anyone an explanation. No means no. I often have felt in the past that I need to explain myself but it’s not needed.
4. Creative Outlets: Engage in creative activities. I personally love social media and writing blog posts so that is my creative outlet. I know I am not great at video editing, ect but I just do it for fun. I have had people laugh at me and ask why I post certain things but honestly I don’t care. You do you as long as you aren’t harming anyone in the process.

Self-Care and General Well-Being

1. Regular Relaxation: Take time for relaxation, whether it’s a bath, reading, or listening to music. Create cozy spaces for yourself. When I am taking a bath I light my favorite candle, play music, and put on a face mask. It’s honestly the little things for me.
2. Hobbies: Cultivate hobbies that bring you joy and relaxation.
3. Travel: Explore new places and cultures to broaden your perspective.
4. Financial Planning: Create a budget and save for your future to reduce financial stress. I can’t stress enough that you need to budget. I don’t care if you make millions of dollars a year, everyone should have a general budget. Saving and investing is very important. I am continuously learning how to make investments which I struggle with learning on my own. I like to watch reputable Youtube channels but make sure you do your own due diligence. I am very quick to voice when I think activities or items are too expensive for me. Everything is relative to each person’s income so don’t be afraid to say if something is too much for you as most friends will be understanding.
5. Organization: Declutter and organize your living space for a clearer mind. I might take this to the absolute extreme but I love to organize. Making everything has a place is helpful for my mindset. I personally get all of my containers on Amazon or at Walmart.
6. Random Acts of Kindness: Do something kind for others without expecting anything in return. You can also do things anonymously.
7. Spend Time in Nature: Enjoy nature walks, hikes, or picnics for a sense of serenity.
8. Meditation and Breathing Exercises: Practice meditation and deep breathing for relaxation and stress relief.

These New Year’s themes are not for everyone but be sure to take a couple of minutes to realize what you want to change in your life and make it happen!