wow, 2021… we made it. if last year was worth anything, i think it was great at helping people recalibrate their priorities and how they want to live—in big and small ways. i know i sure did. this year, i’m looking forward to getting back to my very best creative spaces and having fun with my work again. whether it’s shooting, styling, or my off-time, i really just want to have fun.
if you follow me on IG, you know that i was back home in texas for the entire holiday season (thanksgiving to new years). it was beyond therapeutic. i came back feeling the happiest i’ve felt in years. and while i was there, i thought of a few lifestyle changes i want to implement in the months ahead.
[sleep].
my sleep practices got thrown all out of whack last year. i’d go to sleep at 3am every night, wake up at like 11… now, I was getting a full night’s rest (8 hours, right?), but the timing was all off. i’ve been working on getting in bed by midnight and waking up at 8 each morning. when I was home, my parents went to sleep by like 11, so that naturally helped me start doing the same. i also copped some of OLLY’s immunity sleep + elderberry gummies to help get a better overall nighttime experience and boost my immune system in the process.
[morning routines].
this next one has been the best change so far. my parents work from home, so they get up at like 630, make coffee and breakfast and all that, and they get their day started by 8. i was also working while i was home, so it was easy for me to hop aboard that early bird train and start creating some structure for my mornings. since i’ve been back, i start my day with prayer, bible study and a quick Spanish lesson, then work on content for a bit. emails, workouts, and other projects follow, but it all starts with a productive morning. i used to hate routines and fixed schedules, but they’re actually proving to be so helpful.
[quitting time].
if you’re noticing a pattern so far, it’s all about routine. last year, i’d work and work until i fell asleep or until i HAD to do something else. now, at 8pm, this laptop closes. i’m hoping to make it 7 or 6 in the months ahead, but one step a time. and with that said, i’m not just cancelling work in the evenings, but the weekends too. they’re called the weekEND for a reason. i’ve turned saturday into my home day where i take care of things around the house: getting rid of junk, finally mounting my TV after two years, decorating, whatever. and sundays are for self-care: face masks, movies, cocktails, and SVU marathons.
[getting dressed].
i miss putting on clothes! yesterday, i wore a suit in my apartment just because. it was one of my favorites: a teal two-piece from express. and it felt good. i don’t care if i’m running to the bodega or just getting ready for a big night on the couch—i want to get dressed more often. for myself, no one else.
[shooting].
when people tell you things change after your passions become your main source of income, believe them. back when i was hustling my ass off to get to the place i’m in now, i used to shoot every day. on my lunch breaks, in the morning, after work, at home… it was as fun as it was satisfying. as i enter my third year of working for myself and doing this job full-time, i want to get back to that place. i know it’ll take me a while to build back up to that frequency, especially with the cold temperatures right now, but I want to start self-shooting more and having fun with my looks again.
[blogging].
i’ve also been thinking about using this blog again. speaking frankly, i get quite tired of just talking about style and grooming goods in caption length. sometimes i just want to talk to you guys about other things in a place that doesn’t boil down to metrics and likes and views. and i think this site is a safe space to put those thoughts and opinions for the people who really care to read it. like you, since you’re here, reading this. :)
[weight gain + nutrition].
last year, i was sooo good with my gym routine and my weight gain plan—until I wasn’t. COVID threw me off back in the spring then i refocused and worked out in my apartment building, but around the fall… i just completely burned out. the goal was to get to 180 (from 160) and this year, i’m going to make it happen. i’ve been doing really well with my diet so far. not just in quantity but quality. i had some digestive scares back in december, so i’ve been careful with my at-home menu and using OLLY’s probiotics each morning. i feel way better this year. and when the weather gets better, i may even try picking up a sport. 😬 i’ve wanted to give baseball a try for years so i may find a league somewhere in BK. and one of my other friends already promised to help me improve my basketball skills, so i’m excited for the spring.
[getting out].
last but not least, i want to get out of the house more. i obviously can’t travel much right now, and even venturing into the city isn’t something i’m all that interested in until after i get vaccinated, but until things open up more, i’m down for a nice walk with friends or alone and i’ll enjoy the fresh air while i’m self-shooting. i’m thinking about renting a car in the weeks ahead and getting out of the city, even if it’s just for the drive. wherever i wind up going, i’ve been drinking OLLY’s immunity powders with elderberry. you may remember them from the summer if you follow me on IG. the berry yuzu lemonade flavor actually tastes really good and it helps fortify my system for the winter elements.
what are some of the ways you’re upgrading your lifestyle this year? comment below or let me know on IG, and check out OLLY’s site to find some products that’ll help you look and feel your best in the months ahead. trust me, i worked with them all last year and they totally helped revamp my wellness journey. i’m confident you’ll find something just right for you. -J
This blog post is sponsored by OLLY. All opinions are my own.