how to recreate YOURSELF IN THE NEW YEAR

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“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

– George Bernard Shaw

It’s safe to say that 2020 knocked many of us off balance. What first seemed like a Great Gatsby type of year filled with infinite possibilities turned into a series of unforeseen and challenging events. The year tested many of us both physically and mentally, however, what I took from it is that people are resilient. We’re able to adapt to the unimaginable and channel inner strength that we didn’t even know we had. 

New Year’s is one of my favourite times of the year and for many reasons. Beyond all of the festivities and the sparkling champagne, the beginning of a new year marks the hope of a better tomorrow. I like to spend the final months of each year reflecting on the months that have passed and planning for the next. I love the idea of having a blank canvas to make adjustments and recreate your life. Although our lives won’t drastically change simply because the clock strikes midnight, it’ll be a sigh of relief nonetheless. 

“Some people swear there’s no beauty left in the world, no magic. Then, how do you explain the entire world coming together on one night to celebrate the hope of a new year?” – Claire Morgan

New YEAR’S EVE (2011)

We all have the power to create new beginnings for ourselves no matter what life throws at us, all it takes is a little initiative and commitment. Sometimes entering a new year is intimidating, so I thought I’d share a few tips to help you find your rhythm this year. They have helped me so much in finding clarity and motivation when I’m not feeling my best. Alter them to fit your own needs and you’ll be well on your way to getting back into your groove. Cheers!

1) Evolve your personal style

The way you dress and present yourself to the world should be fun and make you feel great about yourself. If you look at your wardrobe right now and you’re not quite content with what you see, that only means it’s time for a change. In lockdown, I spent most of my days in sweatsuits and pajamas. Do I regret it? Nope. But it’s time to change things up a bit in 2021!

If you want to up your fashion game this year, first you’ll need to take inventory of the items that are holding you back. Once you let go of the excess clothing you no longer wear or identify with, the next step is to explore new territory. Seek inspiration online, in films, in magazines, in real life, and then take notes.

Once you find a style that speaks to you, try it out and make it your own! Experiment with fabrics, cuts, and colours. If it helps, stick to a colour palette each season so that you maintain a timeless and fluid wardrobe. I keep a collection of photos throughout the year and refer back to it when I shop, but I can’t say I don’t break the rules from time to time! Remember the goal when shopping for items you’ll get wear out of is longevity. To avoid purchasing clothing you don’t need, ask yourself questions like:

1. Can I mix and match this piece with items that are in my wardrobe?
2. Is this a trendy product that I like now but won’t wear after the season?
3. Can I style this item in multiple ways? How?
4. Am I buying this for myself or for others?
5. Would I wear this 5 or 10 years from now?

Click here to read my tips on finding your personal style!

2) Remove clutter and clean out all areas of your life

Clutter doesn’t only refer to the dishes in your sink or the pile of clothes on your bed. It refers to the mental clutter in your head, the unnecessary apps and old conversations on your phone, the places and people you’ve outgrown, the spam in your emails, the social media accounts you hardly use, the old receipts in your wallet that are taking up space, and so much more. Clean spaces instantly lift my mood and I work so much better when things are tidy. When my environment is messy, I feel more tense and anxious. Look around you and identify what you no longer need. It will be hard to let go of some things but you’ll feel free when you do.

3) Understand what routine means to you

Before creating a routine, figure out what that means to you first. One type of routine will not work for everyone, so it is important to understand your own needs and lifestyle because you know yourself best. For example, I know that I enjoy flexibility in my mornings. I don’t like to plan my mornings too strictly, however, there are certain nonnegotiable activities that I try to maintain such as; reading something uplifting, making a cup of tea, moving my body around, and making my bed. These seem like little things but they put me in a much happier headspace before I take on the day. Once you understand what your body and soul needs, you can create routines that accommodate those needs.

4) Make existing routines more exciting

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Two summers ago, when I worked downtown, taking the train each morning and evening was a daily routine and slowly became more predictable. To make the most of each day instead of dreading them, I integrated activities that I enjoyed into my schedule, such as getting ice cream after work with friends or taking a stroll around the neighbourhood on my breaks to clear my head. I also loved to meet up with friends after work to do fun activities like go to a museum, or to simply grab a bite and catch up after a long work day. After work some days, instead of going straight to the train I would walk to a park and sit for a while to enjoy the weather. I adored the Village of Yorkville Park, it became one of my happy places.

5) Move your body

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Moving your body throughout the day is so important, however, being active looks different for everyone. Don’t feel bad if you can’t bench-press like the instructors you see at the gym or your body isn’t bendy like the yogis you follow online. Find an activity that is fun for you and don’t be afraid to challenge your body and push your limits this year! Exercise can also mean going for a run, playing a sport, walking to the mailbox, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or simply stretching. Whatever form of exercise you choose, your body will thank you for giving it the movement it needs. I always find that the more active I am, the less sluggish I feel. Give yourself days to rest, of course, but make sure to keep exercise high up on your list of priorities. 

6) Make to-do lists

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To-do lists don’t need to be a daily task. I also like to make to-do lists for the week or even for the month. Writing everything out when I’m overwhelmed helps me feel more organized and I always feel satisfied checking each task off. Don’t give yourself a hard time when the day is over and there are still things left unchecked, life happens. Dust yourself off and continue the next day! The beauty of creating to-do lists is that you’ll be more intentional during the day and keep better track of things you might have forgotten about. As you complete one thing after the other you’ll feel empowered to get more done. 

7) Read a good book

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Sometimes all you need is a good book to inspire you. Fiction or nonfiction, books have a special way of pausing time and teleporting you to another world. In just a few pages, you learn so much. In 2020, I flipped through a ton of autobiographies after a long reading hiatus. I love to learn about the personal stories of others and what inspired them throughout their lives. At the moment, I am loving Atomic Habits by James Clear.

8) Identify your golden hours of the day

I’m not referring to the famous selfie-taking hours when the sun is rising or setting if that’s what you were thinking! By ‘golden hours’, I mean those hours of the day when you feel most creative, most productive, and most inspired. For some people that might be in the morning, the afternoon, at night, or maybe all day if you’re a machine!

I’m a night-owl but I also love mornings, so I struggle to find balance. My peak hours of creativity and motivation to get work done are late at night, so instead of forcing a strict sleeping schedule on myself, I’m learning to be more forgiving. It’s still a work in progress, however being aware of my productivity has allowed me to make better use of my day. I dedicate some nights to getting work done and other nights to catching up on rest. So far this is working for me, but if you’re in the same boat and have any tips please let me know or share in the comment section!

9) Channel your creativity

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In the beginning of lockdown, there was a period when I took to drawing in colouring books. It didn’t last long, but it brought me joy in the moment and relieved some built up tension I had from everything that was happening in the world. It also took me back in time to when I was a kid and loved arts and crafts. I believe creativity is within each of us. It may not come out in the form of colouring, or art, but I challenge you to channel whatever creativity means to you this year. Even if you feel a little silly doing it, who cares!

Many of our plans in 2020 were affected by the pandemic and there’s no telling what the new year will hold. Now is the time to take control of our circumstances and make do with what you have! Channeling your creativity can easily turn some of your worries into opportunities if you put your imagination to work.

For example, let’s say you need to postpone a trip to France you had planned. I had to postpone a family vacation last Spring so I understand the heartbreak, but eventually I came to realize that it wasn’t the end of the world. Eventually borders will open again and our passports will go back to begin collecting stamps. In the meantime, bring France to you! Search for inspiration online and plan a French-themed picnic. I know it won’t be the real thing, however with the help of friends and family, you’ll be able to recreate that beautiful lunch you would have had in France. Before you know it, you’ll be eating a baguette in the Champs de Mars.

10) Explore more

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Look around you. The world is always moving and time stops for no one. This year, I encourage you to visit a place you’ve never been before. Explore a part of your town that you’re unfamiliar with, try a new coffee shop instead of the one you frequent, or try a new activity. The more often you step into unfamiliar territory, the more experience you’ll have and the more stories you’ll have to share with others. Even if you don’t enjoy the experience, you’ll walk out of it knowing yourself a little better and hopefully you’ll be a bit more open minded to try something new more often.

11) Disconnect

This year I challenge you (and myself) to limit the amount of time you spend scrolling through social media on your phones, computers, and any other gadget that has you staring at the screen for hours on end. Becoming heavily reliant on social media to entertain you and bring you satisfaction can be detrimental to your well-being.

When I wake up in the morning, I avoid checking messages or social media for at least the first 30-60 minutes of my day. I don’t always follow this rule, however when I do, I notice I am in a much better headspace throughout the day. This allows me to begin my day on my own terms and my immediate thoughts aren’t influenced by anything or anyone.

It’s not always about how much time you spend on social media but how you spend that time. Are you engaging with people and consuming content you genuinely are interested in, or are you feeding your mind negativity and unnecessary information? As the saying goes, “everything in moderation.”

12) Romanticize your life

Life is simply too short not to fall in love with it. Throughout my life, I’ve found myself counting down to the weekend, waiting until I achieved my next goal, or anticipating future trips in order to find a reason to be excited again. But why not be excited right now? Why not relish every moment in life? Life isn’t always exciting but if you spend each day waiting for the future to be happy, you never will be.

Look around you. The moment you decide to appreciate your life as it is and enjoy the small things you normally might take for granted, you’ll begin to find more joy in your life.

13) Do more of what scares you

Break up with your comfort zone and I promise you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how happy you are without it. Is there an event you want to attend but no one wants to go with you? Do you have a dream that feels far-fetched but you’ll always wonder “what if” until you chase it? Is there something you’ve been itching to share with someone but you’re too afraid? Are you scared to apply for that job you think you’re unqualified for? Take the risk and do it anyway! Life waits for no one, so go out and live your life to the fullest. You’ll thank yourself later.

14) Journal

If you haven’t tried it before, find a journal and write in it throughout the new year. You would be surprised by the power that comes from putting a pen to paper. My relationship with journaling in 2020 grew tremendously and it put a lot into perspective for me.

15) Perform a self-assessment

 This following tip is inspired by a journal I purchased from Lavendaire.

Think of the person you want to become and the life you dream of living. Compare that to where you are now. On a piece of paper or in your journal, write down everything that comes to mind when you think of your life today. Write down all of the qualities and characteristics you possess, the people in your life, how you are feeling, etc. And be honest! It’s okay to not have everything you want at the moment, that is the beauty of this exercise.

On the other side, write down or draw the person you wish up to become. In doing this, hopefully you will become more self-aware and get inspired to work towards your dreams.

16) Spend time with yourself

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You learn so much about the kind of person you are when you spend time alone and connect with yourself on a deeper level. Quarantine has reminded me how much I enjoy moments of complete solitude. When you learn to enjoy your own company and become your own best friend, you’ll appreciate yourself so much more. Spend more time with yourself this year and enjoy the peace that comes with it. Go for walks, drive around town while blasting the five songs you always have on repeat, enjoy quiet nights in, take yourself out for coffee or to lunch or to the movies, plan a solo trip, and try new things whenever you can. Activities you normally like to experience with other people, try doing alone for a change and see how much fun you have.

17) Connect with new people

On the flip side, human connection is so important. 2020 also reminded me of how connected we all are, despite not being able to physically be with another like we used to. I miss spending quality time with family and friends without restrictions, but hopefully that’ll become our reality again soon. In the new year, I challenge you to not only make more memories with the people you know and love, but to connect with new people as well. You never know how much in common you might share with another person or where a new friendship might take you. Get out of your comfort zone in 2021 and reach out to someone you’d like to get to know better. Plan a zoom call or when it’s safe to do so, meet at a coffee shop! The more we lean on and empower each other, the farther we’ll go.

18) Value your rest

Over the years I’ve learned that rest means plenty of things. Rest doesn’t mean sleep only, although you should be getting lots of it. Rest also means:

• Staying home to watch your favourite film or show instead of going out for drinks.
• Saying no to demands (respectfully) and not always feeling guilty about it.
• Taking a leave from work when you feel burnt out.
• Disconnecting from everything for a while to focus on yourself.
• Running a hot bath to clear your mind.
• Putting your mental and physical health above everything.
• Doing whatever gives you peace.

This list is not exhaustive but I hope it paints a clear picture. This year, I hope we all make more time to rest. It isn’t always easy but it’s always worth it.

19) Remember who you are

Last but certainly not least, remember who you are. You have made it this far in your life for a reason. You’re strong and have a purpose. Whenever you’re feeling at your lowest and even at your highest, remember that you’re doing the best you can and have more strength than you know. Continue getting to know yourself and I promise you’ll find many things you’re proud of.

Let’s recap

1. Evolve your personal style
2. Remove clutter and clean out all areas of your life
3. Understand what routine means to you
4. Make existing routines more exciting
5. Move your body
6. Make to-do lists
7. Read
8. Identify your golden hours of the day
9. Channel your creativity
10. Explore more
11. Disconnect
12. Romanticize your life
13. Do more of what scares you
14. Journal
15. Perform a self-assessment
16. Spend time alone
17. Connect with new people
18. Value your rest
19. Remember who you are

Happy New Year my friends! I’m wishing each and every one of you nothing but health, joy, love, and success this year. I hope you’ve found these tips helpful, and if you have any you’d like to share with our community, please write them in the comments!

Xo, Kundi