Start Now

Start what?

  • Shifting your perspective. You can change your narrative at any time. You can choose to subscribe to the shitty story that may currently be taking up unwanted space inside your head, or you can start to see things through the eyes of love. Sound corny? Maybe. Does it work? Yep. I do it daily. Give it a shot and I promise, you will not be disappointed. Start with a mantra, an encouraging phrase, pausing and taking deep breaths, repeating said mantra again. It does take effort, and it is effort worth taking.

  • Forgiving yourself. For anything, for everything. Let go. It’s OK—you can begin to let go. Give yourself permission.

  • Feeding your soul. Find what nourishes you and just do it. Be it cooking, surfing, meditating, reading, snowboarding, yoga, creating music, hiking, service work, spending time with those you love, all of the above, ETC. Find time each week to engage in the activities that energize and fuel you. Your soul needs to be fed in order for you to thrive.

  • Loving yourself unconditionally. That’s ZERO conditions. Whether you are having the best month of your life or you’re beginning to realize it’s time for some shifts, growth, change. Both are a win in my book. When you become aware of what you need, and you can implement action if necessary. No matter what today did or did not bring, love every inch of your being. It all starts and ends with this 4-letter word: LOVE.

  • Making your dreams come true. That project you’re sitting on? Those fantasies that rest in the far recesses of your mind? They are not a pipe dream. They are real. They are possible. You are possible. Start now.

  • Validating your own existence. Don’t wait for someone else to love you hard enough, compliment your efforts, give praise to your appearance. You are a bad ass mo’fo. You don’t need anyone else to tell you that. You already know that it’s true.

  • Letting go of judgment, of yourself and others. It’s hard. It’s an every day reprieve—trust me: it’s one that I struggle with. It’s also incredibly freeing. And healing. And honestly? It feels really, really good.

  • Slowing down. Start stopping. Yes, you heard correct. Start pausing. Breathing. Giving yourself permission to say no in the name of self-care. You don’t always have to be busy. It’s far too glorified in our culture, if ya ask me. Taking time for solitude, even if you can only get a few minutes in during the busy holiday season, is strongly encouraged.

  • Celebrating Yo’self. Not just on your birthday. Not because of the promotion. Not because I told you to. Celebrate yourself because you deserve it. You are a human being making it through this crazy world despite the many challenges we incur on a daily basis. Sure you may have a few scuff marks and bruises—I like to think that mine give me character ;) Despite the setbacks, sad days, desire to give up at times, we keep going. You keep going. You are going. CELEBRATE.

You don’t need to wait until 2019 to start [insert project, loving on yourself, new activity, perspective shifts, etc. here]. You can start today. You can start now. I support you in this decision!

Much love and light for what I can feel in my heart is going to be a special year to come. I feel it.

More words from me in January. I appreciate you and your support. So, so much.

Samantha Levy