Greetings, lovelies!

I come to you today, beaming with gratitude that my year has started off on a good foot. In the last few days, I’ve been able to spend some quality time with those I love, spend time outdoors and even begin the journey to being a healthier version of myself. All in all, 2023 has been kind to me thus far; but if we’ve learnt anything, it’s to never get comfortable.

So, get your notebooks out and let’s chat about how we can continue glowing and growing in 2023.

1) Identify what “success” means to you.

This is SO important. Everybody has their own idea of what success looks like and honestly; nobody can tell you that your idea is wrong. In the beginning of the year, it’s vital that you identify what a successful year would look like for you so that you can begin working towards it. Whether you’re looking for growth in your career, a better work-life balance, or more adventures – know what you want so that you can go after it.

2) Stop glorifying overworking.

Friends, it’s 2023. It’s time we stop celebrating not sleeping, resting or taking time off work. When we start a new year, there’s a lot of pressure to put in extra hours, sacrifice time with friends and family, and prioritise our career over the other aspects of our lives. We assume that doing this can ensure success; but the reality is that we will often burn out, hate our jobs and feel disconnected from those around us. This year, try to create a balance between your personal and work life to achieve long term success.

3) Celebrate the small wins too!

It’s easy to think that a small success isn’t important enough to celebrate, but the opposite is in fact true. The reality is that life can often knock us down when we feel like we’re finally climbing higher so, it is important to celebrate the little things too. Celebrating small wins keep us motivated and show us that we are moving forward, one small step at a time, and isn’t that amazing?!

4) Make time for movement.

Health is wealth. Our bodies thrive off eating well and exercise. Personally, there is just about nothing I love more than the rush of good vibes and energy I feel after exercising. Stop seeing exercise as punishment and begin seeing it as a celebration of what our bodies can do! Make exercise a mandatory task in your day and before you know it, you won’t even have to convince yourself to do it. If you struggle to keep a schedule, find an accountability buddy and make it fun, social and something you look forward too!

5) Focus on your relationships.

Placing importance on our relationships is a fundamental aspect of health and our outlook on life. We owe it to ourselves to form and maintain good relationships with ourselves, our friends and our families. An 80-year Harvard study (started 1938) found that our relationships and how happy we are in them have a powerful influence on our health. Exercise, eating well, having a good career and staying positive are important; but as social creatures, maintaining healthy relationships is also a form of self-care. Having an inner circle is how we become more empathetic, ambitious and conscious of how our actions affect others; thus, making us better people. Make time for yourself and for those around you – for your own good.

6) Set goals and write them down.

This is one of the aspects of success that can feel daunting. It can be difficult to reflect on your current position and think about where you want to be. Personally, I like to set personal and work-related goals every year; and I WRITE THEM DOWN. It’s easy to just dream of things but when you put pen to paper, you hold yourself accountable and begin the “action” portion of reaching your goals. Remember to set realistic, smaller goals which contribute to bigger goals. That way, you can celebrate your progress and stay motivated throughout the year.

7) Lastly, don’t take things too seriously.

I know you’re reading this and thinking “how can I achieve success if I’m not taking things seriously?”.  The truth is that life is a rollercoaster. There are lots of ups and downs, and if we focus on every “down”, we will eventually stop seeing the “ups”. There are so many beautiful, simple moments of happiness that happen every day. Whether it’s the first warm day after winter, your best friend calling you to say hello, eating a good plate of food, or achieving one of your goals – these are all moments you could miss if you’re focused on things that haven’t worked out as planned.

 

Success isn’t just about monetary or career advancement; it’s a word that encompasses accomplishment in every aspect of our lives and the notion that it isn’t, is robbing us of our happiness through simple joys.

Make 2023 the year you live happily, love freely and blossom in every facet of your life. This year is yours for the taking – go and grab it.

Love and light,

Hella