Always Wear Your Cutest Outfit. Stop Saving So Many Looks For “special Occasions”. You Showing Up

Half the game is getting yourself out of environments that no longer serve you & that don’t align with the life you want

Entering your winter arc (November 1st to December 31)

What is the winter arc?

If you're on social media, especially TikTok, you may have heard content creators mentioning phrases similar to this:

"#enteringmywinterarc: Time to level up before the new year."

"Get ahead of the game—step into your winter arc."

"Transform your life in 30 days by embracing your winter arc."

But what exactly is a "winter arc"?

To me, the winter arc is a period during the colder months—October, November, and December—when we can really focus and get ahead of the game. While others are slowing down and getting comfortable for the holidays, those in their winter arc step up, putting in the work in whatever area they want to improve. By doing this, they’re already making strides toward their goals and establishing habits, so by January 1, when most people are just starting on their resolutions, they’re already well on their way.

Now, I'm not saying that winding down during the winter season is wrong. But if you want a head start, consider stepping into your own winter arc. This way, when the new year arrives, you’re already disciplined in your habits and not starting from scratch, driven only by fleeting motivation.

How to enter your winter arc?

Don’t worry, I wouldn’t just tell you what a winter arc is without giving you concrete steps on how to enter your own (I've got you! 😊).

Step 1: Create a List of Goals for Your Winter Arc

To truly enter your winter arc, you first need to define what you’ll be focusing on. I recommend choosing five goals to work on during this time (having too many can get overwhelming, and we don’t want that).

These goals could be about your health, academics, personal life, or even your spiritual life—literally anything you want to improve. Just make sure your goals are measurable, achievable, and realistic. For example, if your goal is to get 10k steps a day, but you’re currently struggling to reach 5k, that might be too ambitious. Setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration, and by the end of this season, you may end up without genuine progress because you’ll likely have given up.

Remember, even if your goal is as simple as a 5-minute workout each day, that’s still progress. It’s better to move a little than not at all.

Step 2: Create A Mission Statement

Now that you have your five specific, measurable goals, it’s time to create a mission statement.

In business, a mission statement is a concise declaration that defines an organization’s fundamental purpose, explaining what it does, who it serves, and its core values and objectives.

You might wonder why this matters for your winter arc. Well, understanding the core purpose behind your winter arc is essential. Knowing why you’re doing this, what you hope to achieve, and what drives you is crucial to truly connecting with the five goals you’ve set. I recommend answering these seven questions in-depth, then using ChatGPT to condense your answers into a concise mission statement:

What is your primary purpose for this winter? (e.g., to learn, to grow, to reflect)

How do you want your actions this winter to impact yourself or others?

What specific areas of your life do you want to concentrate on? (e.g., health, career, relationships)

What mindset do you want to cultivate during this season? (e.g., positivity, resilience, openness)

What inspires or motivates you? (e.g., experiences, quotes, people)

What personal values do you want to embody during this winter? (e.g., integrity, growth, compassion)

By the end of this winter, what do you hope to have achieved or learned about yourself?

Having a mission statement is a powerful way to stay motivated and disciplined during your winter arc, especially on challenging days. A simple, one-sentence mission statement that you can easily look at to remind yourself why you started is elite (even better if you set it as your phone lock screen).

Step 3: Develop An Action Plan

Now that you’ve got your goals and mission statement, it’s time to build a solid action plan to keep yourself on track.

An action plan breaks down each goal into manageable steps, helping you clearly see the path from where you are now to where you want to be. Start by listing out specific actions or habits that align with each of your five goals. For example, if one of your goals is to improve your health, your action steps might include planning daily workouts, setting a hydration goal, or meal-prepping on Sundays.

Prioritize Your Tasks: Decide which actions are most important and schedule them first. This will help you stay focused on your highest-impact goals.

Set a Routine: Consistency is key for progress, so set up a routine that allows you to work on your winter arc daily or weekly.

Track Your Progress: Keep a journal, use an app, or create a simple checklist to track your progress. Seeing what you’ve accomplished can be incredibly motivating.

Plan for Challenges: Think about any obstacles that could arise (like busy days or lack of motivation) and have a backup plan ready. For example, if you miss a workout, can you fit in a quick 10-minute routine at home?

With an action plan you will have some structure to your winter arc, helping you to stay committed and organized as you work toward each goal. By the time the new year comes around, you’ll already be deep into your goals, with the discipline and results to prove it.

I really hope that this helped y'all and inspired you to enter you winter arc. Please feel free to ask me any questions that you might have.

Inspired by LenaLifts youtube video <3

P.S. Even if you’re reading this after November 1st, you can still start your winter arc. It’s not about when you start; but starting in general.

the good life essentials: the ultimate guide to getting what you want 💭

for so long i always felt a sense of struggle when it came to my achievements. i could reach my goals but it always felt so hard, and it usually came paired with periods of burn out and malaise. then i found out why: i was often neglecting foundational needs, living in chaos and not taking proper care of myself, and trying to zoom straight to big-picture achievements.

below is my ultimate guide to 'the good life'. the more balance you can achieve in each category, the easier and more pleasurable it becomes to reach your goals. you will still have to stretch yourself and explore beyond your limits... but it should feel relatively nice because you are supported by a nourishing lifestyle.

you deserve a beautiful, healthy, passion-filled life. here's how you get it:

01. your foundation: the essentials

physical health: create nourishing routines for sleep, exercise, and nutrition. your literal energy starts here, so if you’re trying to bring positive energy to your life and achieve success, you need foundational energy.

mental and emotional health: build resilience and develop strategies for coping with pressure and stress. take care of your mental health always, not just when you’re already spinning out.

financial stability: learn to manage your money wisely. budgeting, saving, and debt management are a must.

02. your core: connections + fulfilment

your home: whether you have just a bed, a room, an apartment, or a whole house, create a safe, comforting space to recharge and feel grounded.

strong relationships: surround yourself with supportive and meaningful connections - so much about ourselves is defined by those we are close with so choose wisely.

meaningful work: follow your sense of purpose and find work or projects that bring a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction to your life. remember that it may not always be paid work. if you have no idea, just keep trying things and follow what interests you, while working on the next stage.

03. your growth: personal development

personal growth: invest into self improvement, developing new skills, growing your knowledge and learning as much as possible.

spiritual fulfilment: find purpose, whether through spirituality, self-reflection, or a connection to something bigger.

creativity & self-expression: explore creative outlets and express your true self to find a grounding sense of joy and authenticity.

04. your larger contribution: beyond the self

community & contribution: give back, volunteer, or participate in community initiatives to connect with a greater sense of purpose and life-giving connection.

legacy & impact: define the mark you want to leave on the world, through family, work, or contributions to society. think deeply about what you wish to leave behind and tailor your life to this goal.

05. your enrichment: quality of life enhancers

play & leisure: make time for joy, hobbies, and relaxation for rejuvenation, calm, and passion. if your day to day work isn't your passion, it's so essential to find passion here.

time in nature: regularly connect with the outdoors for grounding and mental clarity.

one thing i need to start living by is “become the thing that you want” if i want friends who throw themed parties maybe i should start throwing those parties. if i want someone who writes me love letters maybe i should start writing letters for the people i love. if i want to hang out at museums and pretty cafes maybe i should invite my friends to these places. and maybe even then i won’t find the kind of people i want to be around. but then i would have become the exact person i want to be around. and maybe that’s good enough.

The Gnome falls in love with the Princess, from The Brown Fairy Book by Henry Justice Ford (1904)

healthy lifestyle habits + changes i’ve made in 2023 (part 1)

1. feeling my breasts (the muscle) for any abnormal lumps at least once a week— this is especially important a week after the first day of my period. i’ve learned this from my obgyn. it’s normal to feel some lumps because it’s a muscle but what’s abnormal would only be known IF you take the time to know your anatomy.

2. ditched soda completely and started drinking flavored seltzer water— what i’ve found to be good is putting a crystal light or water flavoring packet in there for a healthier alternative to soda. i like soda with greasy food because i feel like it helps “cut” the grease so this is good if you are the same way when you eat things like pizza, burgers, etc.

3. i stopped drinking alcohol— wine, spirits, champagne, all of it. if i go out, i order a seltzer with a lime or a mocktail of some sort.

4. i started being on social media less and it has made my sleep schedule better— i started using the queue feature on tumblr and i took less interest in instagram and tiktok. i love these apps but i stopped finding other people more interesting than i am

5. i stopped eating so much—i would mindlessly eat all day but now i have a set eating schedule which helps me focus on other things besides eating. i eat breakfast around 6am, lunch around 1:30pm, and dinner at 5pm. my meals go from big (breakfast) to small (dinner). i’ve noticed that these are the only times i actually get hungry so i’ve been listening to my body and being intuitive in such that i have a routine down.

6. just recently, i have started going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends— this has helped me by having increased energy and just a better quality of sleep. i have to wake up at 4:45am on some days because of work so i use that time to wake up everyday and go to bed around 9:30pm.

7. confession: i used to be horrible at flossing, but now i have been flossing every night before i brush my teeth— i floss before so i can loosen up the food that’s lodged between my teeth so that when it’s time to actually brush my teeth, the bristles can get in there better to clean.

8. this is typical and base level, but i’ve been drinking water like crazy— i highly recommend a large, cooling water bottle that you can carry around with you throughout the day. it’s so important to stay hydrated. i aim for a minimum of 64oz, but sometimes reach up to 80oz if it’s hot, if i’m active, etc. i listen to my body but i don’t drink less than 64oz of water each day

9. i’ve been getting my body moving daily— it’s a privilege to move your body so i make the effort each day to be active. the days i work at the hospital, i’m on my feet my entire shift pretty much with the exception of my lunch break. when i’m charting, i try to stand instead of sit but i do allow myself to sit when i’m tired. so my hospital shifts allow me to be active and walk my 10,000+ steps each day but when i’m not at the hospital, i go to the gym and do an hour workout session there.

10. i started drinking my coffee black— it’s so gross, but i need the caffeine for work but i don’t want to have the unnecessary sugars that i like to have in my coffee. i’m starting to get used to it (kinda) and i don’t have those crashes like i used to when i did put cream and sugar in my coffee. occasionally i’ll have a sugary and creamy coffee, but it’s not a daily occurrence like it was before.

you have more degrees of freedom than you think

you can completely reinvent yourself in well under a year with sufficient commitment

you probably make at least one decision every day which will meaningfully alter the path you’re on if you change it

this is terrifying but it’s also maybe the best thing about being alive

as long as you’re breathing, there’s a chance

decide what your base is and make sure you never leave the house without it:

Base hygiene (showering/ deodorant/ skincare etc)

Base make up (a simple look that takes you less than 10 minutes)

Base outfits (have some go-to outfits always ready)

Base hair (learn 3 simple hairstyles that elevate your look)

base jewellery (simple studs, a tennis bracelet or two)

Base emotions (how do you want to leave the house feeling? Do you want to grab a bite before you leave? Do you need to call yourself down?)

         morning routine ideas 🥞🫖

how you spend your morning dictates your whole day. create a relaxing structure to truly get yourself ready before heading out into the world ♡

wake up early; before 8am.

don’t go on your phone. right when you wake, bask in the silence and background noise.

meditate by focusing on your breathing.

say affirmations to yourself: “i have woken up in my desired reality. today will be a good day. i am okay. i’m healthy, beautiful, and inspiring. something amazing will happen to me today. i am kind and gentle towards myself.”

stretch!

open up any blinds to let the light in

make your bed. tidy up your space.

say hello and cuddle with your pet(s)

wash your face & brush your teeth

walk your pet(s)

make a simple breakfast and drink water and/or tea and eat it outside or looking out the window.

journal. self reflect, how you feel, what you’d like to accomplish, etc. make it a goal to be more kind to yourself and keep your thoughts in check.

read a few chapters of your current read. 

what are some things you need to get done today? make a plan and set out to get it checked off.

exercise, try a new routine.

choose an outfit, do your hair, try some new looks for the season. have fun. try new things, who knows? maybe you’ll end up loving it.

go on a walk in your neighborhood. 

get in 10,000 steps

buy yourself flowers.

light a candle

put on your favorite feel good songs. let yourself go and freely sing and dance to it.

begin your studies.

rest if needed!

try a new recipe

spend time in nature

how to validate yourself without needing others

mastering self-respect, detachment and security

lack of discipline makes you ugly

saving your brain from over stimulation

how to self- learn things

signs you are self regulating through future fantasies