Hello everyone! How hard is it to believe that 2019 (and a whole decade) comes to an end tomorrow night? It’s crazy. This year brought so many blessings, starting with me passing my boards and becoming an RN on a cardiac floor, to getting to travel to so many places (Disney, New York, Nashville, New York again, and Napa Valley) and making new memories with my friends and family. My sister graduated from college (go Gators!), and my beautiful goddaughter turned one. Although every year has their shitty moments, I’m grateful for all the blessings 2019 gave me.

I thought I’d end the year by posting a wellness update. From skincare, to working out, to lifestyle habits I’ve acquired, here’s a list of some of my favorite things I do to keep myself a little sane.

Skincare/hair products I currently can’t live without:

 

I also got a Slip silk pillowcase and eye mask that are supposed to be great for your skin and hair, so I’m excited to use them! Shop for yourself here.

Fitness

Earlier this year, I joined a local gym (Stunna’s Fit) to further motivate me to get up and work out. Fitness has always been a big part of my life, whether it was competitive cheerleading in high school, or simply going to the gym and doing cardio. I felt that I was totally unmotivated to work out, so I decided to try a new gym that offers bootcamp/boxing as a part of their workouts to see if I got more into it- and it worked. I actually enjoy going to the classes and I hold myself accountable when I think about skipping a class. The coaches are great and always push you to get the most out of your workout. I still have my rest days (nightshift life has me sleepy), but I really try to go at least three days a week- as long as my schedule permits. It’s hard, but it feels so good when I finish a workout. Check them out here.

I also still love going to Soul Cycle and really want to start going to yoga! I’ll add that to my New Year’s Resolution list. Working out is such an important part of a healthy lifestyle, so find something you love and something that motivates you to keep going, and do it. Incorporate it into your daily (or weekly) routine and it’ll quickly become part of your lifestyle.

Wellness

This is a tricky subject, considering it consists of so many different aspects. I think a big part of my wellness routine includes working out, eating right (even though I’ve been slacking on that part lately), and taking time to relax and de-stress. I started using CBD this past year (like everyone else, lol), and it’s really helped me with my nighttime anxiety. I’ve always found it so difficult to fall asleep at night, and taking CBD gummies as a part of my bedtime routine has helped me relax and actually sleep well at night. Check out the gummies below if you’re interested in trying them! Like everything, talk to your doctor before starting to take a new supplement.

My diet has been so variable this year. I started eating red meat again, and now I’m back not eating it because I just wasn’t feeling good. One of my goals for this upcoming year is to be more consistent with my diet, and to eat less junk food. It’s so easy to pick up a bag of chips to snack on, but I really want to try to cut unnecessary junk out of my diet and just eat better overall. If you have any tips/ suggestions, please send them my way!

Lastly, I think taking time for you is extremely important. Whether that time is at the gym, at yoga, on your couch, or doing something outside, do it. We oftentimes get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our day to day lives, and we forget that we have to take care of ourselves too. A lot of us spend most of our time and energy at work or on other people (significant others, family, etc), but we can’t neglect ourselves. Without your own sanity, no one else will get what they need from you. Take a step back, take a deep breath, and take an hour every now and then to focus on yourself and your peace of mind.

End of the year reflection

I hope each of you had a happy holiday season surrounded by your loved ones. The year is coming to an end, so naturally, take some time to reflect on all the things you were blessed with, and all the not-so-great things you can learn from. If it’s not a blessing, it’s a lesson. Think about where you were at the beginning of the year and where you are now. Actually, think about where you were at the beginning of the decade and where you are now. I don’t know about you, but at the beginning of the decade, I was finishing middle school and stressing about starting high school. Now, I’ve graduated college and started my career doing something I now know I’m supposed to do. I would have never in a million years thought that I’d be a nurse, and now I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Happy New Year to all of you. May this upcoming year be the start to an amazing, successful, fulfilling decade. May you all stay healthy, safe, and surrounded by people who bring you joy. Life is too short to keep things around that weigh you down and cause you stress. I’ve seen people hospitalized for being overly stressed; it’s not worth it. Let that shit go. I love you all, but I don’t want to see any familiar faces in the hospital when I’m at work. Stay safe tomorrow night, drink champagne for me (I’ll be at work), and don’t forget to eat your grapes for good luck.

Cheers, bitches

Nicki G.