A Guide to Healthy Living in 2021

Hello beautiful people!

If you’re anything like me, you may have ended 2020 with a ✌🏼buh-bye, not gonna miss ya.

That being said, I do think it’s super important to reflect back and note the positive things I learned in 2020. I learned a lot about myself. Truly! I guess all it took was LOTS of free time at home with nowhere to go! 😅 Anyways, one of the biggest lessons I had to learn is that I am enough.

Just me! I am enough. I matter. I define who I am.

So, before we get into my guide on living a healthy lifestyle in 2021, I’d like to share with you all my highs and lows of 2020.

2020 Highs

-Learning That I Am Enough

• Throughout this past year, I made a huge effort in refocusing my energy whenever I felt myself combatting my low self-esteem. I wanted to feel the confidence from within that I have always projected outwardly.

-Getting My Body Back

• Depression can really take a toll on your body. This last year I was working off a lot of excess physical weight I had gained while depressed many years back. It’s important to note progress doesn’t happen overnight, but each small step is forward progress to a better you. In total, I lost 40 pounds and gained a lot of muscle. And, even better, confidence.

-Practicing Body Positivity

• Even with all the lost weight, I still found myself judging my body in early 2020. I made a conscious effort to choose to love myself and to see my body in a more positive light. I’m working toward a better me and that is clear now when I look in the mirror. I embrace my curves. I love the body I was born with. I choose to not look at my body in a negative light any longer. It won’t matter how much weight you lose if you still choose to look at your body negatively. Without practicing body positivity, you will always see your body as flawed. So, take it from me, you are beautiful just the way you are!

-Valuable Family Time

• Oh my, I spent so much time with my family in 2020. If you have followed my blog prior to this post, you know that I am quite the traveler. I’ve lived all over and up until 2019 I hadn’t spent more than a week’s time with my family since 2014. I didn’t realize how much I had missed this quality time until I had it back. I love my family so much and I feel so blessed to have had all this quality time with them in 2020. So, thanks quarantine times 2020!

-Rekindled Friendships

• Another fun part of 2020 for me was the many rekindled friendships I encountered. When I found myself with so much time on my hands, I began to reach out to some old friends I had lost touch with. I also had old friends doing the same with me! It was great! I had truly missed some of these amazing people and was so glad to have the time to catch up. If you did not do this yet, I highly recommend! You won’t even realize how much you missed them until you spark up the conversation.

-Learned to Take Nothing for Granted

• Wow. What a shock 2020 was for the normalcy of life. Human interaction for one! Social outings and events for two! Just literally being able to travel and explore for three! I could go on and on with what a RUDE awakening 2020 was. As hard as it was to get through losing these simplicities of life, it did teach me not to take anything for granted. It also gave me insight and empathy into a lot of careers in this world that I had previously known little about. I am so thankful for all of our front line workers that took zero days off while in the pandemic. You all are the heroes of 2020 and continue to be as we still fight off Covid-19.

2020 Lows

-Mental Health Struggles

• I have battled with so many ups and downs with my mental health this year. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions and I am sure I’m not alone in that. I will say a positive on my mental health struggles has been my continued accountability. It’s so important to keep checking in on your mental health and seeking help when necessary.

-The Current Job Market

• I’m still not overly joyed about this job market. It’s hard out here for a Marketer! Marketer for hire!!! Haha – Jokes aside, this job market has been a tough one. I have been through more interviews this past year than I have had in my entire life. It was hard not to get down on myself, but I kept reminding myself that I was not alone in this struggle.

-Normalcy of Life Questioned

• Man, I don’t even think you could call any of 2020 “normal.” I really struggled with all of the normalcy of life being taken away. Rightfully so to keep safe and to stop the spread of Covid-19, but it was a hard pill to swallow for sure.

-Disconnection of Life

• I felt so disconnected early on in the pandemic. The things you took for granted really hit hard early on. I also may have coped by online shopping (BAD. LOL). I missed hanging out with friends, I missed sports, I missed seeing people in person, and the number one thing I missed: HUGS. Ugh. One of my love languages is physical touch, so 2020 really broke me down!

-Too Much Connection: Media & Social Media

• The media outlets and social media platforms have been way too much for me in 2020. I had to take a step back and make sure I limited my exposure to many of these new outlets and social media platforms. I don’t appreciate being manipulated in REAL LIFE, so why would I enjoy being manipulated by these outlets? If you have not already watched The Social Dilemma on Netflix, I highly recommend. Yes, it will scare you. Possibly creep you out. BUT. 100% important to watch. Be informed on the manipulation behind many of these media outlets. Make sure you are only consuming a healthy amount of content.

Now that you’ve read through my 2020 Highs and Lows, I encourage you to reflect on your own 2020 highs and lows before trying to move headfirst into 2021.

Finished reflecting? Great! Let’s move forward into my Guide to Healthy Living in 2021.

A Guide to Healthy Living in 2021

-Monitor Your Screen Time & Limit Your Media Intake

• As mentioned earlier, if you haven’t already, watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix! I’m not typically a huge documentary buff, but this one is worth it. Aside from that, our phones make it super simple for us to monitor our screen time. Take advantage of that widget on your phone and set some boundaries. There’s no reason for us to be stuck behind our phones all day. You’ll notice a positive shift in your mood when you begin to limit your exposure to media outlets and social media platforms.

-Make Time for Self-Care & Mental Health Check-Ins

• Self-Care Tips: I’m a HUGE advocate for self-care and self-love, so I thought it would be nice to share a list of my fave ways to do so.

  • I’m obsessed with BATHS. I really feel my most relaxed in a Bath with some bath bombs, bubbles, and Netflix. How do I watch Netflix? On my phone sitting on this handy-dandy tray with this amazing bath pillow behind me! 😍

• Face Masks & Eye Masks. There’s nothing better than how your face feels after a good mask.

• Journaling. As you know, I’m a blogger and I find that very therapeutic. Try journaling down your feelings! It may help!

• Facials & Massages. This may be a little difficult to do during Social Distancing times, but once that is safe again, I will be taking myself to get a facial for sure!

• Manicures & Pedicures. Nail salons are being incredibly safe nowadays with all the Covid-19 safety measures in place. I love my monthly nail appointment. I always leave feeling so much better.

• Mental Health Check-Ins: Be real with yourself and make sure to check in on yourself mentally. No excuses! It’s time to take your power back in 2021 and get control of your Mental Health struggles. Don’t bury your insecurities and struggle down. Trust me, once you open up, you will feel a whole lot lighter.

-Create A Daily Morning Routine to Get Your Day Started Right (Even when working from home!)

• I say this EVERY YEAR. And I’ve yet to perfect my morning routine. So, 2021 is the year. I said it here! I will create a morning routine I don’t hate, and I will stick to it. Your mornings set the tone for the mood of your entire day. That’s why it’s so important to get yourself into a good routine. For me, my plan is to wake up, make my bed, have breakfast & coffee, schedule some quiet time and then ready myself for the day. I noticed while working remotely I have found myself rolling out of bed and working in my pajamas. Well, ladies and gents, that is a no-no for me. I just feel so lazy and unmotivated when I have mornings like that.

-Schedule Time to Get Out of The House

• With so many working out of their homes now, it’s so important to schedule time to get out and breathe in some fresh air. This also goes for those who don’t work remotely as well. I like to get out and go on lots of mini adventures! There are so many fun things to do outside and around town! I promise you can still maintain safe distances from others with all of my following suggestions: Explore a State Park, Walk around Your Neighborhood, Visit a Plant Nursery, Go on a Drive to a Scenic View, Find a Good Hiking or Biking Trail, & Explore a New Area of Town. Now, if you do ever feel unsafe, definitely take measures to make sure you feel safe. Sometimes I’ll take a drive to a pretty view and notice lots of people there, so I’ll google and find another view! And yes I always have my mask. Remember you have options! I am by no means encouraging you to do something if you feel it is unsafe. However, I do want you to know there are great safe options out there to get out and explore.

-Get Active

• We’ve had a lot of couch time in 2020, so it is definitely time to get active! Am I right?! It’s so easy to just stay on that couch and binge all of the seasons of Cobra Kai… not that I did that… 🤣 Anyway! I try to make sure I am active every day in some way, shape, form, or fashion. Whether that is taking my dog on long walks, hitting the gym, or doing some at-home exercises. Whatever it is, make conscious efforts to be active every day. You’ll thank me for it.

-Drink More Water & Eat Better

• Drinking more water and eating better goes hand-in-hand with staying active. It’s so funny to me how much positive changes I see in my body and skin when I literally just drink more water. You would think that would make me drink water all the time! But, water just doesn’t taste as good as my Diet Coke!!! Haha! Jokes aside, do yourself a favor and drink your 8 cups of water a day or more. You’ll notice so many great changes in your skin. Now, let’s discuss eating better. I’m not saying to throw out all the junk food or to put yourself on some crazy diet. What I am saying is watch what you’re eating and keep the junk to a minimal amount. On the days you may eat a little crappy, make sure to hit the gym a little harder. There’s nothing wrong with indulging every now and then if you are overall maintaining a healthy diet.

-Stay Disciplined

• Don’t let yourself fall off of your goals this year. Make sure you stick with your routines, stay active, and follow through on your goals.

-Reach Out to Loved Ones (Friends & Family)

• Even though 2020 has come and gone, don’t forget to continue to grow relationships with your loved ones. Sometimes we get so caught up in work and our own lives, we forget to foster those relationships we have with others. There are many struggling right now with the world we are living in and a call from a loved one may be the one thing to brighten their day. Don’t forget that.

-Take Time for Your Soul

• Sometimes we get so busy, we forget to focus time on what makes our souls happy. Your soul is who you truly are deep down inside. The things that truly make you, YOU. When you forget about what makes your soul happy, you become a shadow of your true self. Who you are is BEAUTIFUL! Don’t rob yourself and others of your true self. You are beautiful and have so much to offer.

-Align Your Mind, Body, & Soul

• If you are able to follow through on all of the other points of this Guide, you will be able to align your mind, body, and soul. Without balance, your life can feel out of control. To avoid that, take time to balance and align your mind, body, and soul. Follow through on your goals, take time for self-care, treat your body right, and stay active.

Let’s get at it! I know I’m ready to take on whatever this year has to offer. Be you! Always find ways to keep learning.

Love you all.

Until Next Time,

Jessie

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