2023 and Me

I know it's a tired narrative, but I still can't believe the year is coming to a close. I was writing New Year content only a moment ago, it seems.

Some cool things happened this year.

I completed another, higher level, life coaching certification. I helped over a hundred women tap into their self-awareness, limiting self-beliefs, and find empowerment. That rocks my socks off! We should all know and love ourselves. We set goals, talked about ways to combat low self-esteem, and completed a lot of writing exercises.

I'm looking forward to doing more of this in 2023.

I sank even further into my singleness. I've never been one to need a relationship, but I did the work this year to discover deeper reasons why that is and ways to elevate the lifestyle rather than simply being at peace with it. I have plans to embrace it more next year and I'll be sharing that journey with you all.

One of the books I read this year to help me get started is this one. It has a built-in journal and lots of ideas for dating yourself. You deserve to be the primary relationship in your life, after all.

I also made the decision to move. I've been in my apartment for the last four years, having moved into it after my two oldest moved out and I downsized. I moved a lot after my divorce as better opportunities came along, I went to college, and other curves in my life path made it necessary. I don't mind moving and this is the longest I've lived in one place since childhood. There's something exciting about a new space to make my own. I usually end up selling pieces of furniture and acquiring new ones. It inspires change and a chance to reinvent myself in a way. It's time for a new chapter.

You've likely seen me reference feminine energy and the importance of calling it in on purpose, especially for so many of us who are the primary earner, single mothers, and single women. That already puts us in a high state of masculine energy as we are always the decision-maker, the provider, and the head of the household. I've been this person for nineteen years. I didn't catch on to energy balance until a handful of years ago and it has taken a long time to rewire what had been in place for so long. Part of my new chapter this next year will be leaning into it more. More creativity, more softness, and more romanticizing my life. I've reached a place where I can slow down on proactive self-help and enjoy living in the results of the work I've done.

That's what I desire for you, should you want it.

Of course, I'll never stop journaling and if you haven't begun doing it for yourself, I encourage you to make that one of your goals in the new year. You know I'll be coming at you with prompts to help you keep going.

If you need inexpensive notebooks, you can find them HERE.

I plan to implement more self-care, too. I have done a lot of inner work and now I am ready to take steps for my outside to reflect it.

I'm always going to be a budget-friendly gal and I don't believe in gatekeeping, so here are just a few things I've gotten recently as part of my routine.

1. Shea Moisture Overnight Oil which I paired with this Gua Sha Facial Tool.

2. Sally Hansen Cuticle Rehab - we're having cold weather here and this is saving my cuticles!

3. Bedside Carafe with Tumbler - a cute way to stay hydrated without having to leave your bed

4. Beckham Hotel Collection Pillows - easily the best pillows I've ever owned. It's a good price for this pack of two, though if you keep an eye on them, the price does go down at times. I caught them on sale. They have changed my sleep game! Good sleep is fundamental to feeling and looking well.

5. Brookstone Blue Light Blocking Glasses - I've been kicking myself for not getting these sooner. I experience a lot of screen time on multiple monitors/devices each day and my eyes would begin to feel gritty, tired, and dry by the afternoon. Since using these, my eyes don't tire and my brow and eyelids stay looking awake. At only fourteen bucks, the value far exceeds the price of this one.

There are more and I'll share those another time. My goal isn't to get you to buy things, but to love yourself and treat yourself to things that help you feel good. I share my favorite finds with you just as I do with my girlfriends and family.

What does 2023 have in store for you?