Hello Wonderful You,
In a previous blog I introduced you to a yearly ritual that has made a HUMONGOUS difference in my life, how to release and bless the passing year: Goodbye 2017! A powerful ritual for creating a healthy year part 1.
Today I would like to invite you to experience another ritual, one that will help you manifest and create the year and the life of your dreams: Make a list of 100 things you want to do in 2018! This ritual is much more affective than making New Year resolutions that don’t “stick”.
Here’s why.
We all have so many things we want, so many changes we want to make, it can get overwhelming and we can feel discouraged when things don’t happen fast enough, or the way we want them to happen. But here’s a little secret: it does not matter where you start. It only matters that you start somewhere and make a positive movement in ANY area of your life.
If eating healthy has been a huge struggle for you, don’t start there, start somewhere that’s easier. Maybe do a little yoga every day. Or schedule monthly massages. Or start a self-appreciating journal. Anythings you do that makes you feel good about yourself and your life, will help you to have a better relationship with food and will help you to make progress in EVERY area of your life.
Here’s how this list works; think about different areas of your life and what you would like to do in each area, make your list personal, choose things that are near and dear to your heart, choose things that will bring you joy, fulfillment and pride in yourself. Choose big things and small. Include important things and silly things. It’s your list, make it about you.
Another secret, this list will come true ONLY IF you will make it a living thing. Don’t just write it and forget it. Print it! Laminate it! Hang it where you can see it often! Write it in your planner! And most importantly visit it every month to check things off as you do them and reconnect with the things you still want to do.
I am including a sample list to inspire you and get your juices flowing, feel free to “steal” some of those ideas and create some of your own.
This ritual has helped me to create so much magic in my life and I know it will do the same for you.
FOOD
Try a new vegetable
Bake with stevia instead of sugar
Have a vegetarian day
Buy herbal teas in different flavors
Start a cleanse
Cook a whole grain for breakfast
Make bean chili in the slow cooker
Have a baked apple for dessert
Circle healthy take out choices on menus
Join a women health group
EXERCISE/ACTIVITY
Take a dance class
Go bowling
Take a yoga class on YouTube
Do wall push ups
Lift weights while watching TV
Go for an evening walk after dinner
Look up chair exercises online to do during work
Do a back twist in bed before getting up
Try running in the park, even for a minute
Buy new and cute exercise outfit
BODY CARE
Schedule a massage
Get a pedi-mani
Try acupuncture
Soak in a hot bath
Give yourself a foot rub
Floss
Schedule a retreat or spa day
Try a new body work like Feldenkrais or Craniosacral
Get a facial
Try oil-pulling
RELAXATION
Take a nap
Buy an eye mask
Burn incense
Listen to classical music
Learn to chant
Mist lavender on your pillow
Listen to guided relaxation audio
Breathe slowly and deeply
Take a restorative yoga class
Go to sleep early
CREATIVITY/FUN
Color in a coloring book
Take a singing class
Learn to play an instrument
Finger paint
Plan a trip to your dream destination
Visit a museum
Join a book club
Have a movie date with yourself
Go with your friends to a karaoke bar
Take a photo walk in your favorite part of town
SPIRITUALITY
Meditate
Join a spiritual study group
Read A Course In Miracles
Write letters to God
Pray from your heart
Watch “You Can Heal Your Life:The Movie”
Practice being in the present moment
Look at your challenges as lessons, not problems
Look at every person as a loved child of the universe
Write inspiring words and messages and post them everywhere
WORK
Put fresh flowers on your desk
Write with colorful pens
Smile at a co-worker
Take breaks! To walk, stretch, connect. It will make you more productive
Write down all the things you love about your job
Volunteer at an animal shelter
Start a blog about something you’re passionate about
Take a class about financial planning
Hire a business coach
Sell your art/craft on Etsy
RELATIONSHIPS
Find a high-school friend on FB and reconnect
Have a lunch date with a girlfriend
Have a family meeting and have each member say what they like/appreciate about each other
Plan a date night with your spouse
Look for a group to join on meetup.com
Send cards to relatives just to say “thinking about you”
Have a card game night with friends
Give a pot luck dinner party
Learn to listen without judgement
Have “special time” with your child, let them be in charge and follow their lead
HOME
Spend 15 minutes organizing
Donate all the clothes that don’t fit you NOW
Buy a new house plant
Clean and shine your kitchen sink
Organize your pots and pans and create a beautiful “cooking station”
Put beautiful art on your walls
Paint an old chair in a bright color
Have a “house blessing” party, where everyone spends 15 minutes cleaning to music
Hang wind chimes in your entrance
Read a feng shui book
SELF LOVE
Draw a heart with arrow, write your name on both sides
Listen to Louise Hay Affirmations
Give yourself a hug
Read anything by SARK
Draw a picture of yourself as a goddess
Look in the mirror and say out loud: “I love you!”
Refuse to criticize yourself, ever!
Buy an engraved heart with your name
Write yourself a valentine card and mail it to yourself
Repeat this affirmation: “I am a beloved child of the universe and I deserve to be fully loved by all and especially by me.”
I would love to hear what’s on your list, leave me a comment.
xoxo Rachel
Oh goody!
This is awesome Rachel! This is just what I need right now, self care is a priority this year.
Thank you
I love this ritual Rachel and the intention of creating a healthy year by writing down new things I will try! Thank you so much for sharing your 100 list and demonstrating the categories. I am totally inspired and plan to use this idea to embrace my 2018 intentions for vibrant health, joyful experiences, and expanding my purpose! I am deeply grateful for you and all the insight and wisdom you share.
I’m loving how many wonderful ideasare on your 100 list!! Very impressive and timely message for all of us that are still establishing our resolute intentions for the coming year! Thank you!
Appreciating the inspiration from reading YOUR LIST which is sure to help me, Rachel.
Today I’m completing a 2018 Relationship Intention to launch 2018: I’m cooking a Friendship Feast to celebrate my mom and her friends who I’ve become close to over the years. These friendships span 36 to15 years.The tablescape will be dressed in sterling silver flatware with gold and white antique linens as the theme is, “Make new friends, but keep the old–one is silver and the other gold.”
I love learning about others’ rituals and choosing the pieces that work for me. This one has lots of applications. Thanks for sharing!
I love your list, Rachel! You’ve inspired me and I will be implementing many of your powerful ritual ideas. May we all be blessed with a creative, healthy and prosperous 2018.
Great list Rachel! Being specific helps manifest what you want. Thanks for the inspiration.
This is so spectacularly fantastic! Thank you for sharing this wonderful list. Everyone who reads it can benefit!
I love the list of 100 things (I use something similar in my business planning). You list some awesome ideas. I particularly love the reminder to smile at people…I hope you have a fabulous 2018!
Rachel, you covered all the bases with this post. Wow – follow these 100 recommendations for a healthy life. I just finished a 2 month candida cleanse. No alcohol, sugar, diary, gluten, legumes, nuts, or fruit. I feel amazing and have lost most of my body fat. I have re-introduced dairy which I do well with and fruit. Staying off of gluten and sugar. People thought I was crazy to do a cleanse over the holidays, but it was easy! With the recipes I have we didn’t miss a thing. My coconut pancakes are a staple! Happy Healthy New Year
Not only do I believe wholeheartedly in this but I practice what I believe. Great Advice. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
These are some awesome suggestions! Thanks for sharing them with us. Can’t wait to get started on my own list.
Thank you for this fabulous healthy, balanced and inviting list for this new year!