Do you have visions of a new year, new you? January feels so full of hope, doesn’t it? Well stop dreaming of a good year and start doing. Here are 5 things successful women do in January to set the tone for a good year – and you can do too!
1. Clean out their closets. A cluttered closet equals a cluttered mind. There’s a reason Steve Jobs wore, and Mark Zuckerberg wears a uniform – so that all of their brain power is focused on their big ideas. As a working daughter, your brain power, and your time, is just as precious as that of a Silicon Valley CEO. Heck, it might be more precious. After all, how many jobs do those CEOs have? You have at least 2! So this month, go through your closet and be ruthless. Toss anything that has permanent stains, rips, holes or tears (except your perfectly distressed jeans), that can’t be repaired, or that you hate. Toss shoes that are scuffed, torn or that hurt. Donate any items you know you will never wear again. As far as items you still love but you don’t fit into, or pieces you think might come back in style someday, conventional wisdom says get rid of them. But we get it – you may not be ready. That’s fine, but you do need to get them out of sight. Get a large storage bin and tuck those items away in an attic, basement, or garage. Your closet should only hold articles of clothing you could and would wear tomorrow. Once you’ve culled your wardrobe, organize items either by type (hang shirts together, dresses together, etc.) or by color. Bonus point if you organize by style and color. Repeat this process for your sock drawer, your jewelry, and especially your pile of old sweats and t-shirts.
2. Meditate. Studies have shown that meditating lowers stress levels and boosts your immune system.. If 2019 is anything like the 2018 most of us had, you will definitely need some strategies for maintaining your mental and physical health. Headspace and Calm are two great apps that can guide you through brief, daily meditations. Download one to your phone so you can relax and be mindful anytime, anywhere.
3. Start forming a positive new habit. Tis the season for starting new endeavors. You don’t need to commit to the gym 6 days a week or abstain from sugar, carbs, dairy, grains, meat, veggies, and air. Just start one new simple and positive habit. Take walks. Even short, slower walks can improve your physical and mental health. Or buy a water bottle and increase your daily H2O intake. Drinking water is the simplest thing you can do to take care of yourself and it has tremendous health benefits. And if you form one simple habit this month, you increase your chances of adding another and another as the year goes on.
4. Book doctor’s appointments. You know what they say about working daughters – for as much time as we spend in doctor’s offices, we are always behind on our physicals, mammograms, dental checkups, etc. Go ahead and book your appointments now. You might have to change them later, but at least you’ve got them in the system and you’ve sent an important message to yourself: your health is a priority.
5. Set a goal for the year. You can’t achieve it if you don’t know what it is! What do you really want to have happen in your life this year? Write it down. Tell a supportive partner or a trusted friend who will help keep you accountable. Create a vision board. Map out a plan broken down into specific actions with specific deadlines. And then, relax. You’ve set yourself up for success. Now trust the process.
