Start Fresh and Be your Best!
Happy, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
It is 2016, and it's time to think about how we can make this year the best year yet! The regrets and troubles of 2015 are behind us, and now, we have a fresh, clean slate to accomplish anything that we want to do and improve on! I round up five personal goals to help bring out my best self to make that happen. Let's go!
1. Keep moving. Physical activity has always been a part of my life, since playing soccer in grade school or tennis as a child with my dad. As we age, physical activity is important to maintain or gain muscle mass, which decreases body fat content and burns calories more efficiently (um, awesome!), strengthen the body and bones, increase oxygen flow to our organs and brain, and release endorphins, which help us feel more relaxed and happier. What's the regimen? I will exercise for at least 30 minutes at least four times a week and continue to mix up my favorites: barre, yoga, running, cycling, and strength training.
I also like to register for a new race each year. It gives me something fun to look forward to, and I can train to shoot for a personal record. This year, I want to run a race in the Nike Women Victory Tour. They range from 10K to half marathon races and are held all over the world in 20 cities, like Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro, and Taipei, and two locations in the U.S.: Atlanta and Los Angeles. Check out their site tomorrow on the 29th! They will release the dates for these locations. Aaand, you get a pretty sweet Tiffany and Co. necklace as a prize for running!
2. Do something every day that inspires me and create. I feel it is necessary to stay inspired to keep our creative juices flowing and our good energy going. Once this is blocked, it definitely affects the work we do and lack of work we put out. Find inspiration in everything, and create, create, CREATE! Take lots of pictures to make a collage, try a new makeup look or hairstyle, produce music, dance to a song with a good beat, cook a new dish, and draw or paint a masterpiece for that empty space on your bedroom wall. Anything. Everyday.
3. Read one book a month. I have noticed my once keen memory, where I would be able to regurgitate any and everything that I read, is dwindling. So sad! I blame it on not having the desire to read books. It may be the books I am selecting. So, this year, I will read books about subjects that I am interested in learning about and apply that information to my life. I have a few days to finish "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. So far, so good! It is a book about accomplishing what you have always wanted to do. I have a few books that I have received as gifts for my birthday, and the "Modern Romance" by Aziz Ansari, "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch, and "The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World" by The Dalai Lama are on my list, too! If you have any recommendations, please let me know!
4. Travel and explore. I am always up for an adventure and new experiences. There is so much out there that I want to see. Traveling allows me to try new food, make new memories, learn about others' traditions and their land, make new friends, and take a break from the fast-paced world we live in. It's freeing to not have internet or WiFi access, and just be present and live in the moment.
So, first trip for 2016 will be my FIRST time on a snowboard next week! I will be in the Rocky Mountains with an awesome group of friends. Ahh! I have not seen snow, since I was a child, so I can only imagine how cool (or cold) the snow will feel between my toes. You must think I am crazy, but I have to take the snow in with all of my senses!
5. Give my time to others. I need to get back to making this a regular thing. It feeds my soul to put a smile on someone's face and give them something that they did not expect that day, whether it be a hug, a meal, or a conversation. I plan on volunteering at the local Boys & Girls Club, Houston Food Bank, or the Star of Hope Women and Family Shelter. I believe that people do not know their true potential or can't be the best they can be, because they lack the nurture and love from a good home or support system. I want to be that for somebody!
What is also important is making the time for the people we care about. Make the time to call our parents regularly, visit our grandparents more often, and catch up with good friends. Express how you feel and tell them how much you love and appreciate them!
Sports bra - Without Walls from Urban Outfitters - I got it for $4.99 in store, but it sells for $58 online. / Pants - 32 Degrees from Macy's - $9.99 / Shoes - SIMILAR NIKE ONES - Perforated Suede Blazers from Net-A-Porter On sale for $70 and Suede Mulberry Mid Top from Foot Locker On sale for $59.99
Photographer - Amy Yang
So, that's it. In short, strive to be the best person you can be.
Make the most of each day and moment we have with the people we love!
xoxo,
Teresa Thuy
P.S. Thank you to all that have helped make my 2016 so great, so far! I have been shown so much love this birthday (month), and I am happy I got to spend my birthday and time with you! I am grateful to have every single one of you in my life. :)