Bring It, 2011.

Happy (almost) New Year!

In case you’re new here, I follow a formula for each new year. I make:

• Goals: Measurable goals regarding health, wealth, and career.
• Resolution(s): Feel good thing(s) that really have no impact on my life other than to bring me happiness
• A Slogan: the theme for the year

I’m ahead of the game this year because mid-December I had a friend ask about my New Year philosophy. I gave her a quick overview and mentioned that she could get a better idea by checking out 365 Days of PMA from last year. Bless her heart – she did!

I’ve set my goals and my resolution was an easy one; I have an agreement to meet my girlfriends Kayko & Helen for “Standing Mani’s” on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Fluffy, pampering, and self-indulgent – it fits the qualifications for a resolution perfectly.

The goals are important and the resolutions are fun, but my favorite, most essential component is the slogan; my theme for the year.

This year my slogan is “Feel Beautiful.”

Somewhere along the way I lost a bit of my mojo – this year I aim to get it back. That confidence, that swagger, that certain something. It starts with feeling good about yourself; it starts with feeling beautiful. I want to do the Pretty Girl Rock and believe it 100 percent.

There are so many things that go into feeling beautiful: little things that have nothing to do with appearance. For me, I need to do things like wash my face every night, stretch before I go to bed so I sleep well, and wash the darn windows in the winter so they let in more light.

I need to exercise in the morning so I have more energy during the day. I need to eat more vegetables and less meat because it makes me feel cleaner (and my digestive system knows the difference). Drink more water.

Get pedicures more often because I like my feet when they are smooth and polished – and they are the only feet I have and they put in a lot of work, so they should get special treatment. I need to moisturize my face and body every day; this older age dictates that I take better care of my largest organ.

Basically, I need to take better care of myself.

I need to get an extended bikini wax regularly, not just when I have to wear a bathing suit. A wise woman once said, “It just makes you walk a little bit taller” and no truer words have ever been spoken. If you know me, you know I have issues with the fact that the evolution of hair growth has not caught up with the modern-day woman and her lifestyle.

I think my holiday photo is a good start to Feeling Beautiful.

Buy and wear high-quality, pretty underthings. As with the waxing, there is no one who will see directly, but a well supported rack and properly-fitting undies go a long way to help a girl feel comfortable with her curves. When I feel comfortable with my curves, I feel like those curves are beautiful.

As for the little things that do have to do with appearance, I want to try and look presentable as often as possible. Wear makeup more often than not (I feel way more beautiful when my skin tone looks even). Get that fashion intervention from Munchkin and/or Jaime. Wear dresses! And stylish shoes! And more dresses! Be one of those put-together ladies, whether dressed up or down. It is possible to be cute and casual.

I must also buy a full-length mirror. I need to make surethat I Feel Beautiful from the waist down, not just the waist up. Not looking forward to that one, but it’s definitely necessary.

Whether or not you set goals or make resolutions for the new year, I highly recommend finding a slogan. Whenever you are feeling stuck or just kind of “blah” you can say a quick few words to yourself (in your head or out loud). Find a theme that puts you first, reminds you that you a special and you deserve good things. You can always use “Feel Beautiful” – after all, who doesn’t want to feel beautiful?

So, what’s your slogan?

Advertisement