<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>New Year Same Me - Learning to Bloom</title> <atom:link href="https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/tag/new-year-same-me/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://learningtobloom.com</link> <description>Inspiration for a happy and fulfilled life!</description> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 03 Apr 2023 20:46:52 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <image> <url>https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/cropped-20240906_175033.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1</url> <title>New Year Same Me - Learning to Bloom</title> <link>https://learningtobloom.com</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">123350007</site> <item> <title>Healthy Habits to Add This New Year</title> <link>https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2023/01/06/healthy-habits-to-add-this-new-year/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=healthy-habits-to-add-this-new-year</link> <comments>https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2023/01/06/healthy-habits-to-add-this-new-year/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Samantha]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2023 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[healthy habits]]></category> <category><![CDATA[learning to bloom]]></category> <category><![CDATA[new year intentions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[New Year Same Me]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://learningtobloom.com/?p=3537</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Here are some healthy habits to add to your life this New Year! It's less about rules and more about finding your bliss and self love!</p> <p>The post <a href="https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2023/01/06/healthy-habits-to-add-this-new-year/">Healthy Habits to Add This New Year</a> first appeared on <a href="https://learningtobloom.com">Learning to Bloom</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>At the beginning of my blogging journey, I focused a lot on healthy habits. While trying to figure out what I want to write for the New Year, I took a look back at some of my old posts for inspiration. I wrote a blog post with my <a href="https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2017/06/02/5-tips-for-starting-a-healthy-lifestyle/?swcfpc=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">5 Tips for Starting a Healthy Lifestyle</a> back in 2017. The advice I gave back then was very much on brand for the times but my ideas on what makes a healthy lifestyle have drastically changed. </p> <p>It’s important to me that any advice I give to readers reflects what I believe to be beneficial in my own life. My hope is that the content I create inspires people to follow their bliss. To embolden readers to live their happiest and most fulfilled lives. So, in that spirit, I want to share an update to my old post that reflects my new ideas on what makes a healthy lifestyle.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Healthy Habits to Add this New Year</h2> <p>I am a big believer that you don’t need a new you in the new year. One of my favorite posts that I’ve ever written is <a href="https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2020/01/08/why-you-dont-need-a-new-you-this-year/?swcfpc=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Why You Don’t Need a New You This Year</a>. I don’t love the idea of feeling like my body or my mind is something to be “fixed.” I also don’t think that you need to wait until the New Year to make changes in your life. You can decide that you’re sick of the way things are at 10:57 pm on a Tuesday in May and start making changes there and then!</p> <p>When I decide that I want to pivot or set new intentions, I don’t approach it from a place of taking anything away. My favorite thing to do is to see what I can add to my life. How can I add abundance instead of thinking I need to remove something entirely? The exceptions to this are things like quitting smoking or if you feel you need to quit drinking. I am all for you removing those from your life. But other than those two things try and find ways to add to your life!</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Move your body in a loving way</h3> <p>There are so many great benefits to exercising that aren’t weight loss centric. I no longer workout to lose weight. I move my body in ways that feel good to me. This looks different for everyone. For me, it looks like lots of walks and at-home workouts. For others, it can look like swimming and hiking or workout classes at the gym. Whatever it is, make sure to focus on feeling good as opposed to how many calories you can burn. Any movement is good for you.</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="960" height="640" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/arek-adeoye-213476-unsplash.jpg?resize=960%2C640&ssl=1" alt="Healthy Habits" class="wp-image-835" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/arek-adeoye-213476-unsplash.jpg?w=3278&ssl=1 3278w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/arek-adeoye-213476-unsplash.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/arek-adeoye-213476-unsplash.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/arek-adeoye-213476-unsplash.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/arek-adeoye-213476-unsplash.jpg?resize=330%2C220&ssl=1 330w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/arek-adeoye-213476-unsplash.jpg?w=1920&ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/arek-adeoye-213476-unsplash.jpg?w=2880&ssl=1 2880w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure></div> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Add something that will help you care for your mental health</h3> <p>I don’t know where I would be today without therapy. Honestly, it is the best thing I have done for my mental health. But caring for your mental health doesn’t just mean going to therapy. Not unlike moving your body in a way that feels good to you, this looks different for everyone. And you don’t have to just do one of these things, here are some examples of how I take care of my mental health:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Therapy</li> <li>Journaling – Here are my tips for starting your own <a href="https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2022/09/07/how-to-start-your-journal-practice-this-fall/?swcfpc=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">practice</a>. Here are some <a href="https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2022/10/30/15-journal-prompts-for-fall/?swcfpc=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">prompts</a> you can use. I also love <a href="https://amzn.to/3Co6qC4" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">The Five Minute Journal</a>!</li> <li>Exercise</li> <li>Catching up with a friend or a loved one</li> <li>A bath and a good book</li> <li>Gardening</li> </ul> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. Add more nourishment to your diet</h3> <p>I haven’t been on a diet in a long time. Every year I used to set a resolution to go on a diet to lose weight. Guess what? I never stuck to it and always felt so much worse about myself for not having accomplished my goal. A few years ago though I learned about intuitive eating and dove headfirst into any anti-diet culture content I could get my hands on. Since then I haven’t set any weight loss or diet goals and my life has improved so much because of that.</p> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" data-id="547" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/1499012029111.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-547" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/1499012029111.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/1499012029111.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/1499012029111.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="960" height="640" data-id="607" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/brooke-lark-289769.jpg?resize=960%2C640&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-607" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/brooke-lark-289769.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/brooke-lark-289769.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/brooke-lark-289769.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/brooke-lark-289769.jpg?resize=330%2C220&ssl=1 330w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/brooke-lark-289769.jpg?w=1920&ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/brooke-lark-289769.jpg?w=2880&ssl=1 2880w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" data-id="2306" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200430_174546.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2306" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200430_174546.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200430_174546.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200430_174546.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200430_174546.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" data-id="2485" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210810_174032.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2485" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210810_174032.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210810_174032.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210810_174032.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210810_174032.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210810_174032.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="960" data-id="820" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_20180218_100657_944.jpg?resize=960%2C960&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-820" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_20180218_100657_944.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_20180218_100657_944.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_20180218_100657_944.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_20180218_100657_944.jpg?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_20180218_100657_944.jpg?w=1600&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="720" data-id="3365" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221110_121907.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-3365" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221110_121907.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221110_121907.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221110_121907.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221110_121907.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221110_121907.jpg?w=2000&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221110_121907.jpg?w=1920&ssl=1 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure> </figure> <p>Sure, I indulge during the holidays but that doesn’t mean that I tell myself on Jan 1st to never eat cheese or cookies again. Instead, if I am feeling a little sluggish after the holidays I simply increase my fruit and veggie intake. I also like to increase my water intake to rehydrate myself from all the wine and diet coke that was had during the festive season. It’s so much nicer to focus on what I can add instead of what I need to take away due to some self-imposed “food rules.”</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4. Get outdoors as often as possible</h3> <p>On the <a href="https://www.melrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-27" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Mel Robbins podcast</a>, they did an episode talking about 8 simple changes you can implement to improve your life. All of these are backed by scientific studies and one of them was that listening to bird song for at least one second per day can boost your mood for up to 8 hours! I love this and I love being outside. One of my favorite sounds is the frogs in the retention pond across from our house. I always know Spring is on its way when I start to hear them at night!</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="1444" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/nathan-mcdine-qYcklTb9YHc-unsplash.jpg?resize=960%2C1444&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2007" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/nathan-mcdine-qYcklTb9YHc-unsplash.jpg?w=1461&ssl=1 1461w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/nathan-mcdine-qYcklTb9YHc-unsplash.jpg?resize=199%2C300&ssl=1 199w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/nathan-mcdine-qYcklTb9YHc-unsplash.jpg?resize=681%2C1024&ssl=1 681w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/nathan-mcdine-qYcklTb9YHc-unsplash.jpg?resize=768%2C1155&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/nathan-mcdine-qYcklTb9YHc-unsplash.jpg?resize=1021%2C1536&ssl=1 1021w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/nathan-mcdine-qYcklTb9YHc-unsplash.jpg?resize=1362%2C2048&ssl=1 1362w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure></div> <p>My habit of walking almost every day gets me outside for at least 30 minutes. Getting out in the fresh air and the quiet of the morning makes for the most peaceful start to my day! During the Spring and Summer, Jake and I spend tons of time outdoors and it is the best! We work a lot in our yard and garden and we love to eat dinner out on our back patio during the Summer. We also like to head to a local lake in the evening to go swimming or enjoy the cooler part of the day.</p> <p>There are so many studies about the wellness benefits of being outdoors and usually, you can find an affordable activity to do in order to enjoy it to its fullest potential!</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">5. Practice setting boundaries</h3> <p>Admittedly, this is something that I struggle with. It is important to set boundaries in your relationships with the people around you. Setting boundaries can help you build greater self-esteem and gain a greater sense of identity. You can get clear on who you are, what you want out of life, and what your values and belief systems are. By setting boundaries in your relationships, you are able to have more compassion and less anger and resentment.</p> <p>Setting boundaries helps protect your peace and ensures that your relationships are mutually respectful. So let’s work on this together this year!</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">6. Make time for rest and relaxation</h3> <p>In the hustle culture that we are in nowadays, it is more important than ever to make sure we are taking time to rest and relax. Taking time out to recharge helps avoid burnout and reduces stress and anxiety. It can also improve your mood so be sure to make time for it!</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">7. Love and accept yourself and your body as it is right now</h3> <p>The most important relationship you have in life is the one with yourself. It is so easy for us to be hard on ourselves and hate the way our bodies look. I have struggled with body image issues for most of my life and it’s really hard to quiet the negativity in your head. But I encourage you to try. </p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="1707" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ivan-stern-k_lzqO_Yl4Y-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=960%2C1707&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-3539" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ivan-stern-k_lzqO_Yl4Y-unsplash-scaled.jpg?w=1440&ssl=1 1440w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ivan-stern-k_lzqO_Yl4Y-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=169%2C300&ssl=1 169w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ivan-stern-k_lzqO_Yl4Y-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=576%2C1024&ssl=1 576w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ivan-stern-k_lzqO_Yl4Y-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1365&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ivan-stern-k_lzqO_Yl4Y-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=864%2C1536&ssl=1 864w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ivan-stern-k_lzqO_Yl4Y-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C2048&ssl=1 1152w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure></div> <p>I still have a hard time looking at myself in the mirror some days. I feel self-conscious about the way I look and if I am smart enough or good enough when putting myself out there on social media. But it’s important that we try to love all of ourselves. After all, we are the only person in the world we will spend our whole life with! we might as well love ourselves for who we really are!</p> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" data-id="3330" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-13.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-3330" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-13.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1 683w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-13.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-13.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-13.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-13.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&ssl=1 1365w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-13.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" data-id="2864" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/20220917_183419.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2864" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/20220917_183419.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/20220917_183419.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/20220917_183419.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/20220917_183419.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/20220917_183419.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" data-id="3223" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-1.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-3223" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-1.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1 683w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-1.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-1.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-1.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&ssl=1 1365w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Tacoma-Brand-Photographer-Fall-Sam-1.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure> </figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Additional resource:</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://www.fingerprintforsuccess.com/blog/good-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Fingerprint for Success: Good Mental Health: How to Improve Yours (and maintain it for life)</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">I hope you’re having a Happy New Year! Do you have any healthy habits you’re adding to your life that I haven’t mentioned here? Share them in the comments or over on Instagram! 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<slash:comments>1</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3537</post-id> </item> <item> <title>2020 Reflections</title> <link>https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2020/12/30/2020-reflections/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2020-reflections</link> <comments>https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2020/12/30/2020-reflections/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Samantha]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 30 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[2020 Reflections]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Happy New Year]]></category> <category><![CDATA[New Year]]></category> <category><![CDATA[New Year Reflections]]></category> <category><![CDATA[New Year Same Me]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://learningtobloom.com/?p=2238</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>What can I say about the year that is 2020? Like many, I STRUGGLED this year. My mental health took a major hit at several different points and I found it difficult to deal with stressors coming at me from several directions. Stressors that normally give me a hard time but felt like they were amplified because of the circumstances of this year. Accepting that it was okay to not be okay is something I found most difficult this year. I couldn’t go onto social media without seeing all the bread baking, exercising, etc that people were doing and not feel like there was something wrong with me because my motivation was completely gone and has been for most of the year. I stopped exercising, we weren’t cooking as much as we normally do, I hadn’t posted on this space in months, I withdrew from many people including friends that, in normal circumstances, I see on a pretty regular basis. Feeling stressed and drained felt normal after a while and everything seemed like it was a challenge, especially trying to find some positivity in the everyday. Toward August though, I grew so sick of feeling “blah” that I began planning content that I could post to my blog and that was the first jolt of inspiration I had felt since probably the very beginning of the year when you’re still in that inspired bubble that is the New Year. It was like coming out of a fog and for the first time in what felt like a long time, I felt positive, inspired, and motivated. I have posted semi-consistently since the beginning of September and have no intention of stopping anytime soon. I love creating for this space and sharing my thoughts on life, fun DIY projects for readers to try, my style, my home decorating style, and everything else in between. This year has been such a crash course in gratitude as well. Thinking back, there were times I had to force myself to write down what I was grateful for, even something as small as the fact that I was still breathing that day. Gratitude and self care have been essential for me especially in the particularly dark moments. Therapy really allowed me to work through these feelings and working on accepting that I wasn’t okay. I seriously don’t know what I would have done without my weekly appointments. So in the spirit of reflecting on the year of practicing gratitude, I thought I would end this post with a list of things from the past year that I am grateful for and that I know got me through in the end. I hope you’re looking forward to the new year as much as I am but also that you’re taking the time, like me, to look back and reflect on the good, the bad, and the extra ugly of this past year. This year I am grateful for: The trip we were able to take down to San Diego to visit my cousin and her husband at the beginning of March before lockdown. Outdoor walks/hikes with my husband Therapy and my therapist in particular Jamie Oliver and his tomato ketchup recipe from his show Jamie at Home The chance we got to dog sit for my brother. I loved having a dog in the house! Fresh flowers and greenery throughout my house Spring flowers Snuggles and impromptu photoshoots with my cat Baxter. I am obsessed with him! Blogs. I really got back into blog reading this year and have read some really great articles! Gardening Outdoor dining on our patio Delicious wine The workouts I was able to get in Outdoor grilling The landscaping project Jake and I did ourselves to make the front landscaping much more manageable as far as weeding goes New plants My friend Amy and her husband Ben got married on May 4th despite having to change the whole plan for their wedding. I was so happy to attend their intimate ceremony and be her maid of honor! Tomato salads Car rides with Jake Fresh produce that we grew ourselves Celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary with a camping trip in Eastern Washington The cute ducks that we pass when we walk along the Soos Creek Trail near our house Joining an online community full of inspiring and supportive women from all walks of life Summer afternoons at LakeWashington Cute bikini’s Fresh new cut and color after lockdown restrictions were lessened Kite flying with Jake Growing dahlias successfully for the first time Picking fresh dahlias from my dad’s garden Cold smoothies on a hot morning Iced Tea Jazz music Showtunes Video chats with friends DIY holiday decor projects My blog Days off to recharge My husband for a great many things including outfit photographer, meat smoker extraordinaire, website setup and hosting, fire starter, bread baking enthusiast Friends near and far A quick trip to WA Wine country Fall and holiday decor shopping New fall/winter coats Decorating for Fall and the holidays Amazing co-workers Relaxing baths Family – my mom, dad, and brother in particular My grandpa recovering from a stroke Inspiring Podcasts Audiobooks A trip to La Conner and Whidbey Island for Jake’s birthday A new incoming President Movie nights with Jake Christmas lights Holiday movies The upcoming year 2021! Happy New Year! I hope it’s your best year yet!</p> <p>The post <a href="https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2020/12/30/2020-reflections/">2020 Reflections</a> first appeared on <a href="https://learningtobloom.com">Learning to Bloom</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What can I say about the year that is 2020? Like many, I STRUGGLED this year. My mental health took a major hit at several different points and I found it difficult to deal with stressors coming at me from several directions. Stressors that normally give me a hard time but felt like they were amplified because of the circumstances of this year. </p> <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow"> <figure class="wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex"><ul class="blocks-gallery-grid"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200922_194036.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2318" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200922_194036.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200922_194036-2/" class="wp-image-2318" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200922_194036.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200922_194036.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200922_194036.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200922_194036.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200526_175119.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2309" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200526_175119.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200526_175119/" class="wp-image-2309" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200526_175119.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200526_175119.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200526_175119.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200526_175119.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li></ul></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200504_123814.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2307" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200504_123814.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200504_123814.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200504_123814.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200504_123814.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure> <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow"> <figure class="wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex"><ul class="blocks-gallery-grid"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200621_181240.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2312" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200621_181240.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200621_181240/" class="wp-image-2312" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200621_181240.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200621_181240.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200621_181240.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200621_181240.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="720" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200606_171033.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2310" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200606_171033.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200606_171033/" class="wp-image-2310" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200606_171033.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200606_171033.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200606_171033.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200606_171033.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200606_171033.jpg?w=2000&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200606_171033.jpg?w=1920&ssl=1 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure></li></ul></figure> </div></div> </div></div> </div></div> <p>Accepting that it was okay to not be okay is something I found most difficult this year. I couldn’t go onto social media without seeing all the bread baking, exercising, etc that people were doing and not feel like there was something wrong with me because my motivation was completely gone and has been for most of the year. I stopped exercising, we weren’t cooking as much as we normally do, I hadn’t posted on this space in months, I withdrew from many people including friends that, in normal circumstances, I see on a pretty regular basis. Feeling stressed and drained felt normal after a while and everything seemed like it was a challenge, especially trying to find some positivity in the everyday.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201128_124015.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2321" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201128_124015.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201128_124015.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201128_124015.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201128_124015.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201128_130001.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2322" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201128_130001.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201128_130001.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201128_130001.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201128_130001.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure> <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow"> <figure class="wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex"><ul class="blocks-gallery-grid"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200905_165424.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2316" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200905_165424.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200905_165424/" class="wp-image-2316" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200905_165424.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200905_165424.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200905_165424.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200905_165424.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200616_200249.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2311" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200616_200249.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200616_200249/" class="wp-image-2311" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200616_200249.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200616_200249.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200616_200249.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200616_200249.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201017_112334.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2320" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201017_112334.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20201017_112334/" class="wp-image-2320" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201017_112334.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201017_112334.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201017_112334.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201017_112334.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li></ul></figure> </div></div> <p>Toward August though, I grew so sick of feeling “blah” that I began planning content that I could post to my blog and that was the first jolt of inspiration I had felt since probably the very beginning of the year when you’re still in that inspired bubble that is the New Year. It was like coming out of a fog and for the first time in what felt like a long time, I felt positive, inspired, and motivated. I have posted semi-consistently since the beginning of September and have no intention of stopping anytime soon. I love creating for this space and sharing my thoughts on life, fun DIY projects for readers to try, my style, my home decorating style, and everything else in between.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200211_175828.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2301" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200211_175828.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200211_175828.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200211_175828.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200211_175828.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure> <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow"> <figure class="wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex"><ul class="blocks-gallery-grid"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200916_175524.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2317" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200916_175524.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200916_175524-2/" class="wp-image-2317" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200916_175524.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200916_175524.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200916_175524.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200916_175524.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200819_183914.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2315" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200819_183914.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200819_183914/" class="wp-image-2315" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200819_183914.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200819_183914.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200819_183914.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200819_183914.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200721_203531.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2313" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200721_203531.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200721_203531/" class="wp-image-2313" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200721_203531.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200721_203531.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200721_203531.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200721_203531.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200526_173730.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2308" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200526_173730.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200526_173730/" class="wp-image-2308" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200526_173730.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200526_173730.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200526_173730.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200526_173730.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200430_174546.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2306" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200430_174546.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200430_174546/" class="wp-image-2306" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200430_174546.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200430_174546.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200430_174546.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200430_174546.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li></ul></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200318_190806.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2305" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200318_190806.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200318_190806.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200318_190806.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200318_190806.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure> </div></div> <p>This year has been such a crash course in gratitude as well. Thinking back, there were times I had to force myself to write down what I was grateful for, even something as small as the fact that I was still breathing that day. Gratitude and self care have been essential for me especially in the particularly dark moments. Therapy really allowed me to work through these feelings and working on accepting that I wasn’t okay. I seriously don’t know what I would have done without my weekly appointments. </p> <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow"> <figure class="wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex"><ul class="blocks-gallery-grid"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200308_122510.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2303" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200308_122510.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200308_122510/" class="wp-image-2303" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200308_122510.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200308_122510.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200308_122510.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200308_122510.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200306_132204.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" data-id="2302" data-full-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200306_132204.jpg" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20200306_132204/" class="wp-image-2302" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200306_132204.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200306_132204.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200306_132204.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200306_132204.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></li></ul></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="720" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200815_205202.jpg?resize=960%2C720&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2314" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200815_205202.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200815_205202.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200815_205202.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200815_205202.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200815_205202.jpg?w=2000&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200815_205202.jpg?w=1920&ssl=1 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure> </div></div> <p>So in the spirit of reflecting on the year of practicing gratitude, I thought I would end this post with a list of things from the past year that I am grateful for and that I know got me through in the end. I hope you’re looking forward to the new year as much as I am but also that you’re taking the time, like me, to look back and reflect on the good, the bad, and the extra ugly of this past year.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200314_102149.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2304" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200314_102149.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200314_102149.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200314_102149.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200314_102149.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure> <p>This year I am grateful for:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The trip we were able to take down to San Diego to visit my cousin and her husband at the beginning of March before lockdown.</li><li>Outdoor walks/hikes with my husband</li><li>Therapy and my therapist in particular</li><li>Jamie Oliver and his tomato ketchup recipe from his show Jamie at Home</li><li>The chance we got to dog sit for my brother. I loved having a dog in the house!</li><li>Fresh flowers and greenery throughout my house</li><li>Spring flowers</li><li>Snuggles and impromptu photoshoots with my cat Baxter. I am obsessed with him!</li><li>Blogs. I really got back into blog reading this year and have read some really great articles!</li><li>Gardening</li><li>Outdoor dining on our patio</li><li>Delicious wine</li><li>The workouts I was able to get in</li><li>Outdoor grilling</li><li>The landscaping project Jake and I did ourselves to make the front landscaping much more manageable as far as weeding goes</li><li>New plants</li><li>My friend Amy and her husband Ben got married on May 4th despite having to change the whole plan for their wedding. I was so happy to attend their intimate ceremony and be her maid of honor!</li><li>Tomato salads</li><li>Car rides with Jake</li><li>Fresh produce that we grew ourselves</li><li>Celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary with a camping trip in Eastern Washington</li><li>The cute ducks that we pass when we walk along the Soos Creek Trail near our house</li><li>Joining an online community full of inspiring and supportive women from all walks of life</li><li>Summer afternoons at LakeWashington</li><li>Cute bikini’s</li><li>Fresh new cut and color after lockdown restrictions were lessened</li><li>Kite flying with Jake</li><li>Growing dahlias successfully for the first time</li><li>Picking fresh dahlias from my dad’s garden</li><li>Cold smoothies on a hot morning</li><li>Iced Tea</li><li>Jazz music</li><li>Showtunes</li><li>Video chats with friends</li><li>DIY holiday decor projects</li><li>My blog</li><li>Days off to recharge</li><li>My husband for a great many things including outfit photographer, meat smoker extraordinaire, website setup and hosting, fire starter, bread baking enthusiast</li><li>Friends near and far</li><li>A quick trip to WA Wine country</li><li>Fall and holiday decor shopping</li><li>New fall/winter coats</li><li>Decorating for Fall and the holidays</li><li>Amazing co-workers</li><li>Relaxing baths</li><li>Family – my mom, dad, and brother in particular</li><li>My grandpa recovering from a stroke</li><li>Inspiring Podcasts</li><li>Audiobooks</li><li>A trip to La Conner and Whidbey Island for Jake’s birthday</li><li>A new incoming President</li><li>Movie nights with Jake</li><li>Christmas lights</li><li>Holiday movies</li><li>The upcoming year 2021!</li></ul> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201226_181933.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2323" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201226_181933.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201226_181933.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201226_181933.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20201226_181933.jpg?w=1500&ssl=1 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure> <h1 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading">Happy New Year! I hope it’s your best year yet!</h1> <p></p><p>The post <a href="https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2020/12/30/2020-reflections/">2020 Reflections</a> first appeared on <a href="https://learningtobloom.com">Learning to Bloom</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2020/12/30/2020-reflections/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2238</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Why You Don’t Need A New You This Year</title> <link>https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2020/01/08/why-you-dont-need-a-new-you-this-year/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-you-dont-need-a-new-you-this-year</link> <comments>https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2020/01/08/why-you-dont-need-a-new-you-this-year/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Samantha]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jan 2020 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Personal Development]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Self Care]]></category> <category><![CDATA[body acceptance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[body positivity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[love yourself]]></category> <category><![CDATA[New Year Same Me]]></category> <category><![CDATA[resolutions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[self love]]></category> <category><![CDATA[self-care]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://learningtobloom.com/?p=1717</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>We’ve all seen the slogan “New Year, New You” all over the internet. The sentiment sounds nice, encouraging you to overhaul your entire life overnight in order to be a success in the new year. This is your new fresh start and changing yourself is the only way. But, what was wrong with the you on December 31st? Yeah okay so maybe you overindulged on the sweets these last few weeks or had more than one holiday dinner where you ate to the point of needing to wear stretchy pants to feel comfortable or breathe. Maybe you haven’t eaten “healthy” since Thanksgiving or beyond that. Maybe you had a few cocktails or a lot of glasses of wine while celebrating with friends and family. Maybe you didn’t hit the gym as much as usual or maybe you didn’t even go at all. Maybe you overspent and now must pinch every penny to get by until your next paycheck. Maybe you weren’t in the most festive spirit you could have been because the holidays aren’t all that great for many of us. You know what? I think it is safe to say that you were not alone. Why should we feel the need to overhaul our entire life because of these supposed indiscretions that took place over the last few months or even the last year? I think your December 31st self is pretty great! Let’s focus on being kinder to ourselves and accepting ourselves as we are flaws and all. We get so stuck in this all or nothing mindset like we HAVE to change EVERYTHING overnight and that is just simply not sustainable. I am so guilty of this too, trying to make changes to every aspect of my life all at once. I have been hard on myself for so many years and admittedly it has become beyond exhausting and demotivating. Sometimes I can be downright cruel to the woman that is staring back at me in the mirror. Sitting there beating myself up over what I haven’t achieved or what I have put in my mouth that day or how many times I worked out last week is so demoralizing! AND I AM DOING THIS TO MYSELF?! Instead of thinking about everything that we haven’t achieved, let’s start telling ourselves the story of all the things we HAVE achieved in the last year. Instead of feeling down on ourselves about how many times we worked out last week, let’s praise ourselves about how many times we worked out last week or how great we felt after giving our bodies time to rest. Let’s flip the script and silence that negative narrative that I know runs through our head. Think about changing your mindset like exercising your muscles. Working on mindfulness slowly and consistently is where the magic happens, and you will start seeing the results you desire. I encourage you not to seek out a whole new you this year but to embrace the you that you are right now! You are NOT defined by a number on the scale, how many books you read last year, how many food groups you cut out of your diet, how often you exercised, how early you get up, how organized your house is, how perfect your morning and evening routines are, or even how many times you had “self control” around those cookies your co-worker brought in. Give yourself some slack and remember that habits take time to change and you cannot change everything overnight and expect it to last. Keep on doing you and being your wonderful self! Everyday is a new day to try and make things happen for yourself. Start small and have patience and see what kind of beautiful life you can make by just believing in yourself and having grace when things don’t work out exactly like you planned. Get up the next day and dust yourself off and start again. This is a reminder not only to you but to myself. I choose to focus on compassion and trying my best and remembering that my best is good enough. I am good enough. Here’s to 2020, the start of a new decade full of successes as well as failures that give me an opportunity to learn from them. A new decade of learning to make peace with food, exercise and also with my body. A new decade of learning to love myself fully and also acknowledging that there will be days when I don’t like myself too. You don’t need a new you, you are already great as you are!</p> <p>The post <a href="https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2020/01/08/why-you-dont-need-a-new-you-this-year/">Why You Don’t Need A New You This Year</a> first appeared on <a href="https://learningtobloom.com">Learning to Bloom</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We’ve all seen the slogan “New Year, New You” all over the internet. The sentiment sounds nice, encouraging you to overhaul your entire life overnight in order to be a success in the new year. This is your new fresh start and changing yourself is the only way. </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="640" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/brooke-lark-BRBjShcA8D4-unsplash.jpg?resize=960%2C640&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-1730" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/brooke-lark-BRBjShcA8D4-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/brooke-lark-BRBjShcA8D4-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/brooke-lark-BRBjShcA8D4-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/brooke-lark-BRBjShcA8D4-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/brooke-lark-BRBjShcA8D4-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/brooke-lark-BRBjShcA8D4-unsplash-scaled.jpg?w=1920&ssl=1 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure> <p>But, what was wrong with the you on December 31<sup>st</sup>? Yeah okay so maybe you overindulged on the sweets these last few weeks or had more than one holiday dinner where you ate to the point of needing to wear stretchy pants to feel comfortable or breathe. Maybe you haven’t eaten “healthy” since Thanksgiving or beyond that. Maybe you had a few cocktails or a lot of glasses of wine while celebrating with friends and family. Maybe you didn’t hit the gym as much as usual or maybe you didn’t even go at all. Maybe you overspent and now must pinch every penny to get by until your next paycheck. Maybe you weren’t in the most festive spirit you could have been because the holidays aren’t all that great for many of us. You know what? I think it is safe to say that you were not alone. Why should we feel the need to overhaul our entire life because of these supposed indiscretions that took place over the last few months or even the last year? I think your December 31<sup>st</sup> self is pretty great!</p> <div class="wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular"><div class="tiled-gallery__gallery"><div class="tiled-gallery__row"><div class="tiled-gallery__col"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20191025_181252-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=600 600w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20191025_181252-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=900 900w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20191025_181252-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1200 1200w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20191025_181252-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1500 1500w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20191025_181252-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1800 1800w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20191025_181252-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1920 1920w" alt="" data-height="2560" data-id="1728" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20191025_181252/" data-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20191025_181252-scaled.jpg" data-width="1920" src="https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20191025_181252-scaled.jpg"/></figure></div><div class="tiled-gallery__col"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190801_073314-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=600 600w,https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190801_073314-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=900 900w,https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190801_073314-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1200 1200w,https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190801_073314-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1500 1500w,https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190801_073314-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1800 1800w,https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190801_073314-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1920 1920w" alt="" data-height="2560" data-id="1727" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20190801_073314/" data-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190801_073314-scaled.jpg" data-width="1920" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190801_073314-scaled.jpg"/></figure></div><div class="tiled-gallery__col"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190612_195745-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=600 600w,https://i1.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190612_195745-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=900 900w,https://i1.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190612_195745-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1200 1200w,https://i1.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190612_195745-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1500 1500w,https://i1.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190612_195745-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1800 1800w,https://i1.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190612_195745-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1920 1920w" alt="" data-height="2560" data-id="1726" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20190612_195745/" data-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190612_195745-scaled.jpg" data-width="1920" src="https://i1.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190612_195745-scaled.jpg"/></figure></div></div><div class="tiled-gallery__row"><div class="tiled-gallery__col"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190521_184335-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=600 600w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190521_184335-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=900 900w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190521_184335-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1200 1200w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190521_184335-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1500 1500w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190521_184335-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1800 1800w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190521_184335-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1920 1920w" alt="" data-height="2560" data-id="1725" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/20190521_184335/" data-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190521_184335-scaled.jpg" data-width="1920" src="https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190521_184335-scaled.jpg"/></figure></div><div class="tiled-gallery__col"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/final1572376152286-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=600 600w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/final1572376152286-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=900 900w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/final1572376152286-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1200 1200w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/final1572376152286-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1500 1500w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/final1572376152286-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1800 1800w,https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/final1572376152286-scaled.jpg?strip=info&w=1920 1920w" alt="" data-height="2560" data-id="1723" data-link="https://learningtobloom.com/final1572376152286/" data-url="https://learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/final1572376152286-scaled.jpg" data-width="1920" src="https://i2.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/final1572376152286-scaled.jpg"/></figure></div></div></div></div> <p>Let’s focus on being kinder to ourselves and accepting ourselves as we are flaws and all. We get so stuck in this all or nothing mindset like we HAVE to change EVERYTHING overnight and that is just simply not sustainable. I am so guilty of this too, trying to make changes to every aspect of my life all at once. I have been hard on myself for so many years and admittedly it has become beyond exhausting and demotivating. Sometimes I can be downright cruel to the woman that is staring back at me in the mirror. Sitting there beating myself up over what I haven’t achieved or what I have put in my mouth that day or how many times I worked out last week is so demoralizing! AND I AM DOING THIS TO MYSELF?!</p> <p>Instead of thinking about everything that we haven’t achieved, let’s start telling ourselves the story of all the things we HAVE achieved in the last year. Instead of feeling down on ourselves about how many times we worked out last week, let’s praise ourselves about how many times we worked out last week or how great we felt after giving our bodies time to rest. Let’s flip the script and silence that negative narrative that I know runs through our head. Think about changing your mindset like exercising your muscles. Working on mindfulness slowly and consistently is where the magic happens, and you will start seeing the results you desire.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="641" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Getting-Ready-Details-0014.jpg?resize=960%2C641&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-1129" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Getting-Ready-Details-0014.jpg?resize=1024%2C684&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Getting-Ready-Details-0014.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Getting-Ready-Details-0014.jpg?resize=768%2C513&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Getting-Ready-Details-0014.jpg?w=1920&ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Getting-Ready-Details-0014.jpg?w=2880&ssl=1 2880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure> <p> I encourage you not to seek out a whole new you this year but to embrace the you that you are right now! You are <strong>NOT </strong>defined by a number on the scale, how many books you read last year, how many food groups you cut out of your diet, how often you exercised, how early you get up, how organized your house is, how perfect your morning and evening routines are, or even how many times you had “self control” around those cookies your co-worker brought in. Give yourself some slack and remember that habits take time to change and you cannot change everything overnight and expect it to last. Keep on doing you and being your wonderful self! Everyday is a new day to try and make things happen for yourself. Start small and have patience and see what kind of beautiful life you can make by just believing in yourself and having grace when things don’t work out exactly like you planned. Get up the next day and dust yourself off and start again. </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20190625_150113.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-1686" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20190625_150113-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20190625_150113-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20190625_150113-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20190625_150113-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20190625_150113-scaled.jpg?w=1920&ssl=1 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure> <p>This is a reminder not only to you but to myself. I choose to focus on compassion and trying my best and remembering that my best is good enough. I am good enough. Here’s to 2020, the start of a new decade full of successes as well as failures that give me an opportunity to learn from them. A new decade of learning to make peace with food, exercise and also with my body. A new decade of learning to love myself fully and also acknowledging that there will be days when I don’t like myself too.</p> <h3 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading"> You don’t need a new you, you are already great as you are! </h3> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190413_114616.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-1724" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190413_114616-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190413_114616-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190413_114616-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190413_114616-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/learningtobloom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190413_114616-scaled.jpg?w=1920&ssl=1 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure><p>The post <a href="https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2020/01/08/why-you-dont-need-a-new-you-this-year/">Why You Don’t Need A New You This Year</a> first appeared on <a href="https://learningtobloom.com">Learning to Bloom</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://learningtobloom.com/index.php/2020/01/08/why-you-dont-need-a-new-you-this-year/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1717</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss> <!-- Performance optimized by W3 Total Cache. 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