Anyone else feel like less is more this year? The past few years have been anything but a whirlwind for most, and if you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking for more softness, ease, and love in 2023. Instead of the pressure of resolutions and the perfect outfit to wear, you’re thinking how you can make more time for yourself and your loved ones. The societal urge to reinvent yourself every 52 weeks at the turn of midnight is becoming obsolete as more and more folks are becoming aware of what truly matters - taking care of yourself and accepting its not at all selfish to do so!

“Do more of what’s already working for you."

- Henry Moore

Some of the common themes in the last few years revolve around not feeling grounded, or lacking motivation to get projects done. Or, one of the best ones yet, not having time to, or feeling guilty, for rest. Crazy of us to think how rest has become almost unattainable unless we are continuously working, living in scarcity or not until X, Y, and Z are done…sound familiar? It comes to no surprise how this mentality affects our physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies to the point of anxiety, depression, and/or other expressions of being overwhelmed in a culture aimed at pressuring us to always do more.

With all that you’ve already done - and survived - how about welcoming 2023 with the things we all could use a little more of?

Here are five loving examples to welcome 2023 that is nurturing and healing for the mind and body.

1. Spend time in nature

   Still one of the most underrated ways to connect with and take care of self is by spending time in nature. And before you mumble, “I know.”, can you remember the last time you actually spent a satisfactory amount of time outside? Sure, depending when and where you’re reading this, you might have to get creative in your execution. Physical tip: give your inner child the keys to your imagination and see what adventure you find!

2. Plan friend/family dates

   Instead of living in FOMO or thinking they have to reach out first, how bout sending a text or meme letting your people know you want to spend time with them. Chances are, we lose more opportunities waiting for others to reach out instead of initializing the meet up ourselves. As with every relationship, it takes both parties involved to want to nurture the connection. Functional tip: plan up to a month out and send each other an invite so you have something to look forward to instead of stressing to do something the same or next day.

3. Write/Journal/Blog

   Honestly, any form of artistic expression is great, but there is something special about writing. You might’ve heard before, “you are the author of your life.”, and there are various reasons why writing your thoughts, fears, goals and tasks are not only helpful, but healing as well. Writing is an intimate connection to our emotions and memories. Mental tip: writing can look like a paragraph, diagram, doodles; it doesn’t have to be shared with anyone either.

4. Eat nourishing foods

   So much food, so little time. We all have our favorite snacks and drinks, so it’s important to find what foods work for our individual bodies. Have you noticed your mood when you eat certain foods? Taste buds change and so do the seasons. Farmers markets are a great to stick to what is currently in season in your area when it comes to fruits and veggies. Emotional tip: Eating nourishing whole foods that leave YOU full and happy should always be your top priority.

5. Invest time in yourself

   We’ve all said, “I’ll do this when”, or “Once (fill in the excuse), I can”, and let’s face it, it’s highly counterproductive. These unattainable expectations we have of ourselves is detrimental to our health and why more often than not, resolutions fail. You don’t need a specific day or time to start anything you truly want for yourself. What’s important is to understand if what you are expecting of yourself is actually in alignment with who you are and becoming. Spiritual tip: When you invest in yourself, you become more aware of what is truly meant for you and can better use discernment when something is pulling you away from your path.

Maybe 2023 is the year where there are no expectations, and instead you give yourself the time to focus on what you have cultivated in recent years. Or maybe you actually plan that trip you’ve been putting off because of all the excuses our minds want to make up. There is nothing wrong with having resolutions! All I’m saying if you are making any resolutions, be kind to yourself of your own expectations. After all, any day is a fantastic opportunity to start anything that sets your soul on fire. Wherever your endeavors may lead you, I hope you take the time to look back and see how far you’ve come. Enjoy 2023 safely, lovingly, and respectfully.