New beginnings: 5 resolutions to find my zen in 2019

Happy 2019! This is my first blog post of 2019, I can’t believe how quickly my two weeks holiday break flew by. Tomorrow it’s back to business.

This year is all about new beginnings, a new blank slate.  I would like to use 2019 as the year to tidy up my whole life. I’ve been through an awful lot in the past few years, I’ve learnt a lot and I’m proud of how strong I am and have been through it all. My blog doesn’t show my struggles and setbacks, trials and tribulations. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t have them. It is a conscious choice to keep my blog positive and uplifting, consequently helping me to be aware of my blessings and privileges. My blog is my therapy. It is a creative outlet, a journal and a reminder of how lucky I am. Life is full of little luxuries that we often take for granted or consider as common, but they’re really not are they?

I now have the desire to prepare for the next to come whatever that might be. Although I’m not a person who makes new year’s resolutions, I do have a few lifestyle goals to tidy up my life and create more inner peace and rest. Instead of pushing myself I would like to slow down and align with my soul. I hope my goals will inspire you too so here they are:

Resolution 1: Read more books

Having a blog and my own business I hardly get to read leisurely. Whenever I’m reading it is either for business purposes or to find interesting content for my blog. My evenings are mostly spent on the couch watching Netflix or the news. Although I love Netflix, I would like to ignite my childhood hobby again; reading books for fun. So last week I picked up three books that I think are good reads to start with. All three are about strong women with a clear purpose in life. They are women who had their fair share of setbacks but have overcome them. They are all in their own right, inspiring women.

1. Becoming by Michelle Obama

1. Mademoiselle Coco by Michelle Marly

1. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Resolution 2: Get better quality and more hours of sleep on weekdays

With only 6 hours of sleep on average on weekdays, it’s time to make a drastic change. In 2018 I noticed that my quality of sleep increased when I stopped using my laptop in the evenings. Also, I changed the sound of my alarm from a beeper to chirping birds. The effect is huge! I wake up less stressed and anxious. Since Christmas I’m the proud owner of a Philips Wake up light alarm clock to enhance my waking and sleeping rythmn even more. With the light alarm clock and by increasing my hours of sleep, I hope to finally get the rest I need.

Resolution 3: Get my figure back by avoiding my pitfalls

Losing weight is the universal resolution that people commit to on January first. I’m no exception. Keeping to it is the real challenge because eating out is in my top 5 of hobbies. Due to medical reasons I can’t intensively exercise making it even harder to lose the extra pounds. Nonetheless I’m going to try to get my figure back by eating less carbs and by drinking more water. My pitfalls aren’t sweets, chips or unhealthy foods. I just eat too much (wholegrain) pasta, fruits packed with sugar, fatty cheeses and I drink too little water. With these minor changes in my already healthy eating habits I hope to drop a few pounds.

Resolution 4: Declutter and tidy up my home

Have you seen the Netflix series Tidying up with Marie Kondo? It’s so inspiring and a great motivator to get started. After seeing it I was instantly determined to create more order and clear out the clutter. Her method is different but makes so much sense if you come to think of it! Only keep things that spark joy.

Resolution 5: Have more staycations

My greatest passion in life is travelling. I love to explore and discover new territory. However my business and finances don’t always allow for me to travel much. I found out that sometimes you don’t have to travel far to see beautiful places and enjoy special moments. A staycation in my own country can also be fullfilling. In December I spent a weekend in an Amsterdam canal house and it was such a magical experience! My resolution is to do more of that.

So what are your goals for 2019?