Hello my lovely slow living community.

It’s been quite a while since I was active on my blog.

You might have heard about the so-called ‘that girl’ trend.

I thought as it’s the New Year, I’ll make my own, slightly different version and dedicate a blog post to self-care — I’d like to share my own tips on how I prioritise myself and my self-improvement to be happier and healthier in 2023.

Being that girl looks a little different for me from what’s on TikTok – making your bed in the morning and journaling religiously.

I do naturally wake up early – however I don’t do journaling and I don’t do TikTok either.

I just use things I come across as a useful source of inspiration without wanting to live up to everything that is out there. Not to compare myself to unattainable standards whilst trying to keep it together. Some days are chaotic and some days are happy & balanced.

Being that girl for us shouldn’t come with the immense stress we all put ourselves under whilst watching others being that other girl on social media.

My journey of personal growth and how I’m looking after myself are what is making me that girl who I want to be in 2023. This movement should be all about you, working on your life the best you can, making this year, and every year, your best year.

I’ve started 2023 with a bang.

Big changes, positive mindset, full of energy, learning to manage stress well and being grateful for the things I have in my life. I’ve tuned into myself, practicing one thought and feeling at a time.

Moving my body every day – Half marathon & Weight lifting:

2022 was a really successful year for me when it comes to fitness. I have lost nearly 8kgs since September. I’ve achieved goals I never thought I would — meaning running long distances at good speed, consistently. I’m so proud of my body and how it has transformed since last summer. In 2023, I continue exercising 5 times a week with added weight training and pilates to my routine. This mixture really keeps me motivated, toned, happy and healthy.

– 15 mins stretch in the morning on the yoga mat before work

– 25-30 mins run in the mornings/afternoons/evenings (5ks)

– longer runs on the weekends (10k or more)

– 45 mins slow weight lifting & pilates when I don’t feel like running

– generally aiming for 10,000 steps a day

– actively cycling from spring/summer

– 10 mins meditation in the bath with some magnesium flakes, epsom salt & essential oils

Having these little extras help me to enjoy my daily routine just a bit more.

Nourishing my body the right way:

Becoming dairy/gluten-free this year was and still is a change for me. I have been diagnosed with PCOS in my mid-twenties. If you are familiar with this hormonal condition then you know that PCOS affects 1 in 10 women and many don’t even know about it. It has a major impact on your insulin levels, fertility, weight and mood – therefore it is important to address it and eliminate inflammation from your body by balancing out your hormones. I have been managing it very well and 2022 was a breakthrough year for me. I have put so much emphasis on my diet and exercise routine that it made a real difference. Still not perfect, but what is? My lifestyle isn’t feeling restrictive anymore. I genuinely feel the least restricted I’ve ever felt even with these major dietary changes. I’ve toned up, lost weight and nourished my body the right way. There is still a long way to go though and there are things I wish I would have done differently.

I don’t get lazy about inositol and carbs anymore.

In 2023 I would like to do even better and enjoy the benefits of feeling my body healing. Please remember that these are things that worked for me personally.

Supplements: I’ve been taking a specially formulated inositol supplement called MyOva for PCOS. This has helped me rebalancing my body naturally. My cravings have stopped completely thanks to this product.

When it comes to health supplements, my favourite all-rounder is Anatomē. Their collection of sleep oils and dietary supplements are so so good – it’s nothing like anything else you can get on the high street. Their specific botanical formulas really work and I don’t bother spending on anything else.

Vitamins: I prefer liposomal vitamins and my favourite ones are these from Zooki. I have been taking Turmeric, Vit D & Collagen from them. I also have a raw ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) shot each morning first thing on an empty stomach.

My go-to morning stretch: Mady Morrison on Youtube. Mary Braun for pilates and full body.

My go-to sports app: I’m a Strava girl. I’ve been using Strava for years – I’ve mainly used it for cycling but lately I also record all my runs there.

Reading the right books and taking a break from the screen:

I know what my goals are and I’m working hard every day to achieve them – but I prefer putting my phone and laptop away in the evenings lately. Reading has a crucial part in my life and I’ve come across some incredible books. The one that has changed my life significantly is “In The Flo” by Alisa Vitti. This book has helped me understand how my body works and how can I maximise each day being in sync with my hormones and cycle.

I wish someone would have explained this to me at school.

Paying myself first:

I’m treating myself with a weekly massage and one beauty treatment each month in order to feel the best version of myself. I’ve been working really hard and it’s nice to give something back to myself. You don’t need an expensive wellness routine to feel pampered. I really enjoy using these warming chamomile eye masks lately in bed too.

We often forget to pay ourselves first whether it is about our financials or physical well-being. I have invested a lot of money in my home renovation over the last 15 months but lately I am consciously saving up again and paying myself first by putting money aside as soon as I get paid. I adopt similar habits when it comes to my physical and mental well-being.

Saying no to things:

It is well within your right to just say no with no reason why. I enjoy setting boundaries and since I’ve been actively saying no to things, I feel happier and much more balanced in my life. When I do something, I do it with joy, feeling fully invested. I used to say yes to things when deep down it was really a no which has caused me a great amount of anxiety.

Making time for self-improvement by learning new skills:

I have a full time job within tech but I enjoy finding an hour or two each day to do something completely different. Whether that’s floristry, cooking, blogging or doing some courses on LinkedIn Learning. I feel a real sense of accomplishment when I do any of these in my spare time.

Detoxifying my home:

I spend a lot of time at home and I like interior design. My home has to be so many things at once – it is my office, my personal place, and a lot of other things at the same time. I’ve been consciously working on creating a space around me which makes me feel calm.

I adore my home and I’ve put a lot of effort in it with all the reno work I’ve done so far. I’m reducing clutter and toxicity where I can by opting for green products and always giving a second home to items I no longer wish to keep. I’ve recently changed my laundry routine too switching to Bio-D products.

I also have a lot of houseplants that are good natural air purifiers and humidifiers, keeping my indoor air quality nice and fresh.

Making sustainability a priority:

Is ‘That Girl’ sustainable? It has to be for me even if things are coming off track for a bit. Sustainability has been a key part of my life and I celebrate all the little things I do for our planet every day — but also for myself.

Maintaining my positive friendships:

Rarely mentioned as part of the ‘that girl’ trend, but friendships can impact our daily routines either positively or negatively. I am incredibly blessed with my friends and the support system I have. Friends can have a major impact on your physical and mental well-being and not having friends could certainly increase isolation and loneliness. It is worth asking the question from yourself in 2023: Are your friends motivate you or drain you? Friends can influence each other’s lifestyle and I think putting the emphasis on healthy friendships could actually increase your health massively. My friends motivate me to work harder and they all lead by example in their own way.

Being that girl for me is really just about listening to how I feel and being my best and most authentic self.

B🌻