MY GOALS FOR 2020

If the fact that this is only my second blog post of 2020 is any indicator of the year so far…I have a feeling it is going to be a BUSY year. When the year began, I created a vision board with all of the specific goals I want to accomplish. I use a particular vision board method to ensure I’m in the right mode for manifesting it all. Here are some of the things I am working towards this year:

BE MORE VISIBLE. I think this is something that everybody struggles with when you’re an entrepreneur. Especially today, in a very social media driven market, you have got to be online. When was the last time you googled yourself? I did today and I came across this picture of me (above) from a couple of years ago and thought to myself, “oh, wow. I haven’t done a proper photoshoot in a while.”. It’s so important to always be keeping up your online branding. So, this year, I want to make more of an effort to have professional photos taken for my business and always have all my online media up to date.

With this goal comes making sure I keep up the confidence to be more visible. Which means I need to make sure I am feeling my best as much as possible. I’ve been watching what I put into my body, making sure that my skin, hair and nails are good to go. (I love a good neutral brown powder dip polish on my nails). I also signed up for Class Pass and I’m absolutely obsessed!!!! You can join in on all the classes in your neighborhood. I’m currently into Pilates reformer classes. Sign up using this link and you can get your first couple of classes free, this is not an ad but its how I signed up and I’m hooked and if you love it, I’ll get some free classes, too.

DAILY DECLUTTERING. Look, I am no hoarder but for some reason I pile up clutter everyday. With a busy household and passion for beautiful things, I am always finding stacks or piles of things. So, its a must for me to make decluttering a daily practice. Just yesterday I realized that I had 5 different types of mascara in my makeup bag……5! I also have like 8 lipglosses that I carry with me daily. These little bits of clutter may not seem like they effect you but silently, they do. If I had just one or two glosses, I would have a calmer state of mind. This is based on scientific evidence, so believe me when I tell you to start doing little bits of decluttering every single day. It helps you, your kids, your family, your entire household. It’s important that you understand how the things in your home, affect your life. I teach a specific technique that helps you de-clutter your life and home, to put you in a high vibration in my High Vibe Home workshop.

READ TWO BOOKS A MONTH. This one is very specific for me because this year I feel like I am getting back to work. I decided to get my real estate license to add on to my design practice. Becoming a mom gave me the small break I needed to be refreshed and ready to help create beautiful homes again. I’ve always found that in any industry, its important to read motivational and inspiring books to keep your mindset at its best. I always want to be ahead of the game. A few of my favorites are:

EDUCATE ON FENG SHUI. It’s no secret I am super passionate about living a Feng Shui lifestyle. Just listen to episode 51 on my podcast and you will sure know it. I think it’s important that we all understand how our energy and the energy of our environment effects us. There is so much to learn and understand, I truly feel it is my calling to help you understand it better. So get ready to amplify your life with some Feng Shui living tips and tricks.

TRAVEL MORE. I’ve always been a big traveler but the past few years I’ve been in new mom mode and really have been home…..a lot. Being near the water is soothing to my soul, I always feel a spiritual connection when I’m near the water. We spend a lot of time at the lake but this year I’m ready to get back to taking more trips to get away and visit friends. I absolutely love eating breakfast at a beautiful hotel, sitting poolside sipping something delicious while reading a book or spending time in my journal. I want to make a conscious effort to plan little getaways to replenish my soul.

VOLUNTEERING. This year it’s important to me that I spend more time giving back to charities and organizations that speak to me. A few years ago I decorated the hospital room of an adorable teen cancer patient with an organization called Dec My Room. I loved that experience so much, I feel like this year it’s time for me to get active again. Giving is always such a good feeling and it helps to improve your own happiness. They say, whenever you’re feeling stressed, the cure is giving back.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. They say less is more but I am not truly a fan of that, hello 5 mascaras..?! What I do realize however, is that its important to me, to live by a quality over quantity perspective. Maybe one really good fitting and quality pair of denim jeans over a few not so great fitting ones. One really good pair of shoes over 10 of poor quality. For me, it used to be the other way around because I really enjoyed style and variety. Now, I am at a point where I have shifted this point of view for almost everything in my life. This goes for clothes, friendships, activities, events, luggage, etc.

This had a big effect on me in my kitchen. We had a ton of pots and pans in our house because I needed them. I am always making something and its hard to clean them so often. For Christmas I got a set of just a few very great quality Calphalon pans and I am obsessed. They’re fabulous, so well made, they cook evenly and are so easy to clean. I will never cook with another pan again. It’s little things like this that make my life easier and more enjoyable. Quality over quantity.

What are your resolutions? I would love to know. Share them in the comments below or over in the Blissful Living Lounge.

TRAVEL TIPS: How to keep calm with your carry-on

Fun fact: I have an extreme fear of flying, even though I have been flying on airplanes by myself since the age of 8. My grandfather and uncle were professional pilots who assured me planes are super safe, I’ve traveled to several countries, different continents but for some absolutely non-reasonable reason as an adult I cringe at the thought of getting on a plane. I’m claustrophobic and feel hot in super confined spaces like elevators. In the smallest of turbulence, I get a full on anxiety attack ( hello, kyle richards ) . Now that I am a mother, the thought of my baby being motherless if the worst happens...it’s honestly like “why even fly”? It’s just too much for me to deal with. 

These days, I find myself often going on small weekend mini-vacations so I have become an avid weekend traveler again. The truth is, I never let my fear stop me from getting on an airplane but I do struggle with it severely. Typically, I grab a glass of champagne to calm the nerves, even if it is 9 am. ;)
I’ve been telling myself, I need a few practice rounds before I make the move and travel on a plane with a toddler. So, I wanted to share some of my favorite techniques I’ve found that work, incase anyone else out there experiences this. Or if you suffer from other anxieties, this can help you, too.

• Challenge your fear by acknowledging it and accepting it. Then determine whether it is NOISE or a SIGNAL (this helps our brain to categorize & strategize) NOISE is caused by the situations that have no immediate solution. SIGNALS stem from the circumstances in which there are available action steps for a solution. Anxiety stems from our brain being confused about which of these two applies to your specific situation. The more quickly you clarify, the easier it will be to move forward. Breathe, and gently lead yourself to an honest assessment of your concern. .

• When you’re on a plane, you really have nothing but time to think. Play with your mind by looking at any situation from the perspective of “not only can I tolerate this, I want more of this”. Neuroscience tell us that when we resist, the resistance informs the amygdala to switch on “fight or flight” mode, which spikes our cortisol and intensifies our anxiety. Practice this by noticing when you’re resisting something you don’t want like “ugh. I can’t fall asleep” . Instead say, “give me more of these racing thoughts, it’s okay if I’m up all night”. Typically, this thought pattern eases your mind by bringing acceptance. You’ll probably end up laughing at it how silly your fear is anyway. 

• The 4:7:8 Breathing technique developed by Dr. Andrew Weil, one of my favorite health & wellness author. This deep pranayama technique can lessen anxious thoughts immediately. Breathe in through nose for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, breathe out of the mouth for 8 seconds. Repeat this 3 times.

BLISSFUL TRAVEL TIPS

When you arrive to your intended destination, you want to be calm, confident and refreshed, no? These days, every second of my vacation counts because it is my mommy time without my baby boy. I don’t have the luxury of wasting precious time, I want each moment to be fun and fulfilling. The last thing a blissful vacation needs is an anxious mind and overwhelmed soul. That means I now travel with intention & very specific travel routine that helps me stay centered and excited for the upcoming adventures. You know, I prepare myself with the things that keep me centered and calm.

TIGERS EYE CRYSTAL. With my severe fear of flying, I never travel without my crystals. I bring rose quartz for an open heart, citrine for good fortune and joy, Tigers Eye for protection. I wear 4 tigers eye crystal bracelets from my jewelry collection on the flight. I wear them on my left wrist, specifically because the hand that energy comes into the body is the left. I need all the protection vibes I can get. TIGERS EYE is the crystal for resilience in overwhelming situations and protection during travel. I never travel without them.

BULLET JOURNAL. Ever since I began using a bullet journal, I have found myself way more organized in the mind. The way the bullet journal allows you to create different lists, sections for brain dumping and future planning works perfectly with me. When I travel, I like to write things down to remember, make note of people I meet, and note moments to remember. When I’m on the plane, I always take my bullet journal and gold pen out of my carry on because I always get a ton of ideas on the plane.

EVERNOTE APP. This app has literally revolutionized my life. I was resistant to it for years but it recently was updated with a new user system. Now it is so efficient, functional and easy to use. It helps to organize all your notes, lists and things to remember. I have a travel notebook broken down by city with lists of restaurants, shops, galleries, etc. also, while you’re traveling, you can take & save photos of maps, business cards or menus for your files. It’s a life saver. Seriously.

WRITE AN INTENTIONAL ITINERARY. or at least write down your top 3 priorities of what you want to experience while on your trip. This helps with 2 things. 1) when you know before hand exactly what you want to see or do, it takes the pressure off of finding something last minute. 2) In a big town with a LOT of things to see & do, It can be overwhelming to decide. When you only choose your intentional priorities, you can relax and enjoy the impromptu events, interesting conversations with strangers & magical street performances.

ASK QUESTIONS. Don’t hesitate to speak up for yourself. Asking about flight upgrades may just surprise you, asking what you shouldn’t miss at a restaurant may get you an incredible meal or even asking your Uber driver for hotspots may help you get to know the city better.

BRING A BLANKET. Seriously, I will never leave home without my travel blanket again. Barefoot Dreams makes the softest and best sized blankets for travel, if you don’t have one yet I highly suggest you grab this one. They’re good for the plane, if you get stuck at airport on a long fight delay, freezing cold hotel rooms or anywhere with subpar bedding. Trust me.

If you have any favorite travel tips, especially for traveling with baby which I will be doing soon, please let me know in the comments, looking to enhance my experience even more.