On rituals for the upcoming year
Top of Mind 1.18.24
COOKING Portobello Romesco Burgers a meatless meal even meat eaters will love
WATCHING Sex Lives of College Girls silly, good for a light laugh
MOVING MNT Online Pilates join the 2 week challenge for a free month
BUYING Merit Weekday Set recently switched most of my daily products
REFLECTING The best advice I received becoming a second-time mom
Currently….
Is it just me, or was last week the ultimate week of circling back on every single conversation that started in Q4 but never progressed? My inbox and to-do list is growing by the minute. It's all positive, it's just... a lot to digest and make room for in my life. So in the theme of "circling back," I wanted to give you all an update on the progress I'm making after my "offsite" for setting up a fresh approach for this year.
This year feels different, and not just because it's a fresh calendar unfolding before us. It's my first full year of navigating the exhilarating yet demanding realms of running my own business and being a mom to two active, energetic toddlers. There is a lot of chaos. My health – physical, emotional, and mental – has been top on my agenda as I chart the course for the coming months.
As I design the projects and experiences I want to prioritize, my North Star has been the vision words I selected for the year: intention, passion, creation, and connection. But I am also drawing inspiration from a couple Netflix documentaries - "Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones" and "You Are What You Eat" that I recently watched. And I've been riding the wave of positivity from daily movement, something I've been consciously incorporating into my routine for the past six months and plan to continue. Finally, I've been intrigued by the concept of a 'unicorn space,' aptly named by Eve Rodsky to represent an activity in your life that fills your cup.
So, how do I bring all these threads together? By setting clear lifestyle goals that align with my values and iterating and learning along the way. Here are the rituals I plan to test out over the next month to see which I want to commit to becoming a permanent part of my routine:
DAILY
20 mins of morning movement.
Stretching before bed.
Opting for reading or listening over bedtime scrolling.
A daily probiotic.
Transitioning to a 'mostly plant-based' diet.
Okay, okay. I'm sure you're wondering why plant-based? The documentaries I referenced made me see food as a tool for longevity and wellness (and yes I fully acknowledge there are flaws in the conclusions and biases in the stories told, but the ideas resonate). Cooking is a shared passion in our household, and while we usually cook healthy, the idea is to shift from a meat-centric approach to meals centered around plant-based foods. We're not turning entirely vegan, our 'mostly plant-based' approach will include eggs and a small amount of sheep or goat-based dairy. The idea is that with a stricter plan over the next month, we'll really force new habits in how we meal plan and cook.
WEEKLY
'Sunday Sync' Part 1: my weekly check-in with myself to plan out my daily deep work, priority to-dos and maintenance tasks
'Sunday Sync' Part 2: a live conversation with my husband to review the week's childcare and social schedule along with meal planning.
MONTHLY
A dance class - a little physical fun that also serves as a creative outlet
These habits are my experiments, trials to see if they fit into the tapestry of a fulfilling life. My future self is my motivation, and my present self is ready for the challenge. If you're looking to create an intentional routine that resonates with your values, I hope my journey serves as your inspiration. Let's make each day count!
All The Things
Brrrr… yes it's freezing just about everywhere. Shop my full cold-weather edit.
Lightweight Brown Puffer Jacket for San Francisco-like temperatures
Heavy Brown Puffer Jacket for Northeastern temperatures
Silver & Gold NB 1906 Sneakers love the gold detail
lululemon Align Ribbed High-Rise Leggings always asked where these are from
AQUA Five Button Tweed Jacket tweed detail elevates a black blazer
The Way-High Jean love these gray jeans
Squared Toe Leather Ankle Boots if you don’t own black ankle boots, get these
Space Heater I keep this at my desk
Redken One United Leave In Conditioner highly recommend this for wet hair
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Thanks for the continued support on this journey,
Barbara Mighdoll