Wellbeing Goals That Are Not Based on Your Appearance or Weight

When we think of our wellbeing it is common for us to set goals that are centered around our aesthetics or the number on the scale. I put myself on my first diet at the age of 14 (read more of my journey here) because I was convinced the only way I could be happier or more attractive in high school was if I lost weight. Dieting was what I was “supposed” to do. The media is constantly telling us that we must shrink our bodies to fit in and social media has inundated us with images of women we think we need to look like in order to be happy. It’s become trendy to add collagen to your coffee, drink celery juice and track every morsel that we put into our mouth and every step we take during the day in order to reach that goal of perfection. I’ve done it all (with the exception of the collagen and celery juice…ew.) and I became exhausted feeling like I was constantly at odds with my body because all of my wellbeing goals were based around shrinking or changing it in some way.

Over the last few years, I have devoured books, blogs, Instagram accounts, and podcasts all on the topics of intuitive eating, body acceptance, body kindness, and body positivity. I made a decision to turn my back on diet culture and walk the path towards body kindness and acceptance because I was sick and tired of constantly berating myself for messing up on my diet or not sticking to my exercise regime. It has not been easy and I still struggle with a lot of guilt around food and how much I move my body but I would not change a thing. My goals have shifted into building more practical and sustainable habits and they have NOTHING to do with my appearance or weight.

Let me be clear, I am trying to do what is best for me. I think it is up to everyone to do what is best for them and if setting a goal to lose weight is that then go for it! Do what makes you feel like the best version of you, just make sure you are going easy on yourself.

If you are looking for something different when it comes to your wellbeing goals, here are a few ideas for some that you can set for yourself that are not appearance or weight loss based.

1. Write a personal mantra and post it somewhere that you can see it every day.

Personal mantras are new to me but they can really help you in shifting your mindset. Post it on your bathroom mirror or the dashboard of your car, any place that you will be able to see it every day and recite it to yourself. Feel free to change it up too whenever the mood strikes!

2. Get outside.

Being outside brings me instant calm. Getting outside even just a little bit each day can make the world of difference for your mental health. Take breaks at work to go for a quick walk or go for a hike on the weekend. There is nothing like being out in nature to make you feel grounded and at peace.

3. Set aside me-time at least once per week.

It’s true what they say, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking time out for yourself once a week is NOT selfish, it is necessary. It gives you time to recharge and focus on just you even for a little bit. So take yourself out for a dinner date or just grab a cup of tea and your current read and spend some quality alone time with yourself!

4. Reduce screen time.

In 2019, the average adult in America spends 3 hours and 10 minutes on their phone per day according to an eMarketer survey. That’s A LOT of screen time just on our phones alone, not taking into account our computers, tablets, or television screens. Reducing screen time can help in a lot of different facets of your life including improved mental health, increased human connection, and your ability to get a good night’s sleep. Try to set a time every evening to “switch off.” It is recommended to do so about an hour before you want to sleep which makes this a great time to get your evening routine done. If you’re feeling really adventurous try going offline on the weekends for half a day to see how you feel!

5. Curate your social media feeds.

Since we spend so much time on our devices, it is only natural that we spend the majority of that time on social media. I have made it a point to go through both my Facebook and Instagram accounts and unsubscribe or unfollow accounts that do not make me feel good about myself. When I first began doing this I removed a bunch all at once. After that I removed as I go and unfollow or mute accounts or people that don’t spark joy (how Marie Kondo of me!). I recommend filling these feeds with accounts that life you and others up and accounts that don’t constantly demonstrate impossible body standards. Social media shouldn’t be something that makes you feel worse after looking at it, it should inspire you and make you feel more positive. I would recommend doing this to everyone! Go ahead…you can thank me later!