New Year New Energy

Ah, January. Or, as I like to call it, "my free trial of winter's embrace." Indeed, it is the month of new beginnings, symbolizing introspection, coziness, and self-reflection for all the money you wasted in December on your ungrateful ex.

Nevertheless, it is a time to shake off the past year's failed attempts, leftovers, and dusties and embrace the promise of a fresh start.

Or is it? ?' {Cue dramatic music}...

Hi friends, it is I-your favourite Muse, aka The Helping Healer.

 I know I have a lot of explaining to do regarding why I ghosted you all, like a dad who went to the grocery store for some milk and never came back, but I promise you it wasn't intentional.

However,

This year, your girl is back for good and coming in hot.

Photo credits: Alexandra Marcu @marcufotography

To those new to this platform, Hi, My name is Musulyn, formerly Muse. I am the founder and creator of L'energie Feminine and The Helping Healer and Friends. For those curious about my credentials, I am a nutritionist and certified healthy eating and lifestyle coach through the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition & Holistic Health. I am also a no-name actress; I have worked in the film and television industry as a Model and commercial actor for the past decade.

Photo credits: Alexandra Marcu @marcufotography

(Click the following link to get acquainted https://linktr.ee/Musulyn).

Before you click the link, I will note that I'm not interested in promoting a large-scale holistic business as a nutritionist. Instead, through my written works, I have provided lovely people like yourself with tangible, honest, factual, and credible information regarding your nutrition and wellness concerns online. I am not actively seeking out clients; however, if you are interested in coaching, I offer 1:1, but that's for those wanting me to guide them on this path.

(Visit the FAQ https://www.thehelpinghealerandfriends.com/about

& services/booking page https://www.thehelpinghealerandfriends.com/book-online here for more details)

If this is your first time reading my written works and blog posts, I thank you dearly for tuning in. Get ready for consistency throughout this year, where we can learn and grow together.

Anyway, let's dive in.

Seriously, though, can you believe we're 22 days into 2025? The third Monday of the year is apparently the most depressing day... Thank God it's Wednesday and #bellletstalk, LOL.

I don't know about you, but I am living the Viva Loca.

And what do I mean by this, you ask?

Well, friends, this means that Miss Muse is on her two free trial month subscription for the year. My new year will begin in March. Thank you very much. For many, the true beginning of the year doesn't arrive until the blossoms of spring awaken in March. This age-old debate between the Gregorian (solar) calendar and the Lunar (moon) calendar ignites a captivating discussion on the essence of time and renewal, which we will explore later.

As you're reading this, many of you are likely pondering new and exciting objectives for yourselves this year. Whether making lifestyle changes, quitting a bad habit, recovering from economic strife or adding something fresh to your daily routine. I, too, have numerous ambitions I would like to see through from beginning to end and accomplish this coming year. However, for the most part I don't plan on achieving my new year goals until spring/summer 2025. Don't get me wrong, I'm working on them, but like most of you, I dont make plans just because it's a new year. A lot of what I intend to execute this year have been aspirations and ambitions I have been plotting since my elementary, middle & high school years.

People, including myself, often start with the best intentions and renewed energy to become better, more balanced individuals through our New Year's resolutions. However, reality slowly begins to terrorize us, and panic sets in when we realize that the struggle to stick with these resolutions for over a few weeks becomes overwhelming when they are not approached with the right strategies. And that's what I'm here to debrief.

Instead of limiting these plans to reinvent ourselves once a year, why not integrate these goals into our daily lives?

What I'm about to say is nothing new, especially if you are a seasoned self-help connoisseur and an avid goal-setter.

We all face a common challenge when striving to accomplish our aspirations and goals:

I.e...maintaining the willpower, determination, and persistence beyond the initial enthusiasm for our goal.

The initial burst of enthusiasm can fade, leaving us stuck or unmotivated. I encourage all of you who are taking the time to read this post to set daily achievable goals, whether small or mundane.

As I have come to learn, it's the little steps of accomplishments that lead to more tremendous success. Not only do I encourage you and challenge you to lock in and stand on business this year to accomplish everything you intend, but I also nudge you to check if there's a long-lost goal or dream from your past, revisit it and materialize the hell out of any seemingly missed opportunities. This year, I'm begging you. Do not let those old dreams decay or the new ones awakened. Take it one step at a time, much like running a marathon—pace yourself, but put in that extra effort consistently. ( advise that I also need to take myself because I am sure most of you, just like myself, get burnt out to the point of no return)

As we enter the new year, many feel the weight of unfulfilled resolutions and the pressure to make drastic changes. One common struggle is feeling overwhelmed by the goals we set for ourselves. Getting caught up in the excitement of a fresh start is easy, only to feel discouraged when progress isn't immediate. January, in general, can be harsh on mental health. With gloomy weather, holiday bills, and the return to hectic schedules, it's no surprise that this time of year feels particularly challenging. So, for your New Year resolutions, go easy on yourselves.

I've distilled practical suggestions from my favourite lifestyle author, Daniella Laporte's insightful book on lifestyle design and my holistic wellness practices. These ideas are simple yet powerful, aiming to break down overwhelming goals into manageable steps and boost your motivation and willpower to emphasize resolutions related to health, growth, productivity and mindfulness.

The first step is to take care of your Body, Mind and Soul:

1. ALWAYS Hydrate: Hydration is not just a suggestion; it's a necessity. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water daily to flush the toxins and get waste moving out of your body. If you’ve been feeling like a shrivelled-up prune lately, it’s probably because you aren't drinking enough water. Hydration is key—think of it as the fountain of youth without the weird side effects.

Remember, friends, water is life, and more life equals more awesomeness. 😁👍 am I right? I could dive into the science of hydration and its benefits, but let’s keep it simple🥱: drink more water, and you’ll feel like a hydrated cucumber instead of a dried-up spud. 

2. Exercise: Incorporate at least 30 minutes of physical activity into your weekly or daily routine. For instance, start with a simple daily walk rather than an intense workout regimen to improve your physical health. This can make the journey less daunting and more achievable.

3. Mindful Eating: Spend one meal focusing on eating without distractions. (That means avoid trying to find the perfect video on your phone or TV before you begin consuming your meal)

4. Learn Something New: Have you ever heard of microlearning? Dedicate time to learning something new related to your field or interests.

( Microlearning is way more productive than app flipping or doom scrolling. It's a nifty approach to education that breaks down complex topics into bite-sized, easily digestible chunks. It's all about delivering content in short, focused bursts, typically around 5 to 10 minutes long, which makes it perfect for fitting into your busy schedule. You can think of it as a quick snack for your brain rather than a full-course meal.)

Microlearning often involves multimedia elements like videos, quizzes, and interactive modules, making it engaging and efficient. It's great for learning on the go and retaining information better, as it aligns with how our brains naturally absorb and process information.

Whether you're looking to learn a new skill, reinforce existing knowledge, or stay updated with the latest trends, microlearning can be a highly effective and flexible way to achieve your goals. 📚✨

5. Daily Reflection: Spend a few minutes reflecting on your day and planning for the next;

Take time to reflect on your long-term/short-term goals and break them down into more minor, daily actions.

An example is journaling, which involves writing down your thoughts, aspirations, and priorities.

• Use the SMART criteria to set clear, specific, actionable goals. (Ex-"I want to save $5,000.00 by March 2025).

• Prioritization: List your goals and prioritize them based on importance and urgency.

• Feedback Loop: Regularly review and adjust your goals based on your progress and any changes in your circumstances or priorities.

6. Gratitude Journal: Write down three daily things you're grateful for.

7. Networking and community involvement: Volunteer or reach out to a new contact or engage with your existing network and community to avoid isolation

Another helpful thing you can do to take your goals to the next step and ensure longevity is finding and connecting with accountability partners.

For those of you whose goal this year is to be more active and involved in your community, I suggest the following:

1. Join Communities: Participate in online forums or local groups related to your interests or goals. (Examples would be joining the meetup of the Nextdoor app to connect with locals in your neighbourhood)

2. Social Media: Use LinkedIn, Instagram, clubhouse or Facebook to find like-minded individuals to engage with.

3. Accountability Apps: Use apps designed for goal setting and accountability, such as Habitica, Beeminder, or Stickk.

4. Professional Networks: Leverage professional associations or industry groups to find accountability partners.

5. Workshops and Classes: Enroll in workshops, classes, or webinars to meet people with similar goals.

6. Friends and Family: Share your goals with a friend or your mom. Celebrating small victories along the way can also help keep your spirits high. Don't underestimate the support of friends and family; they can also be great accountability partners.

For my emotional girlies, here are some Heartfelt Reminders to Stay Strong Through Setbacks 💪

1. Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust your goals and plans as needed. Always plan on your plans, not going according to plan That's rule #1.

2. Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Many of us struggle with self-doubt and fear of failure. These negative thoughts can hinder our progress and prevent us from reaching our full potential. To address this, practice self-compassion and remind yourself that setbacks are a natural part of growth.

Embrace a mindset of learning and resilience, and you'll find it easier to persevere.

3. Break It Down: Break significant goals into smaller, manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. (i.e. if you have a goal that requires the whole year, break it down and see what you're able to achieve Every four months until the year comes to an end )

(Don't forget to set your SMART goals. Ensure that goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound).

•Chunking: Break larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks.

• Daily Checklists: Create daily to-do lists to track progress.

•Weekly Reviews: Set aside time to review weekly progress and adjust plans if necessary.

• Prioritization: Focus on high-priority tasks first to build momentum.

4. Seek Support: Don't hesitate to ask for help from your accountability partners, friends, or community- that's what they are for.

5. Learn from Setbacks: View setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures. Remember, rejection is redirection.

And remember, when Maintaining Motivation and Willpower

• ALWAYS Reflect and Reward: Regularly reflect on your progress and reward small victories.

•Utilize your Visual Reminders and daily affirmations: Use your vision boards or motivational quotes in visible areas such as your dresser or bathroom mirror.

Practical Examples of Visual Reminders:

1. Vision Boards: Create a vision board with images, quotes, and reminders of your goals and place it in a prominent location.

2. Sticky Notes: Use colourful sticky notes to jot down daily goals or motivational quotes and stick them on your mirror, desk, or refrigerator.

   

   
   

3. Digital Wallpapers: Set your computer or phone background to an image or quote that motivates you.

4. Goal Trackers: Use a physical or digital goal tracker to track your progress visually.

5. Calendars: Write your daily goals in a planner or calendar.

6. Inspirational Posters: Decorate your workspace or home with posters that inspire and remind you of your goals.

In conclusion, by identifying daily personal goals, taking care of your body, mind and spirit and having strategies to overcome setbacks, all while using visual reminders, you can maintain your motivation and make meaningful progress throughout the year. Take those small, consistent steps, and you'll achieve great things!

Until next time, Good luck, and I hope you found this post motivational!