By Nicola Findlay – author of Live Like You Give A F**K
My favourite top tips going into 2018
As we enter a new year another year I’m inclined to encourage people to get back to basics for the start of 2018. It’s not about setting huge, arduous, materialistic goals but rather focusing on the personal framework that enables you to live your best life year after year.
1) Start a daily gratitude routine
You spoilt bitch. 😉 … There are people who are suffering in this crazy fucked-up world with no food, water, shelter or safety, just some of the basic human needs required to survive. Yet, in wealthy, Western, capitalistic societies we believe life sucks because we can’t connect to wifi, the queue for a skinny latte is out the door and the daily commute takes longer than watching the latest box set of Game of Thrones. #bullshitfirstworldproblems.
We really are a bunch of selfish, spoilt brats. Those who are really suffering would kill to have our problems. Would you trade places with a refugee? No, didn’t think so. We are so rich and wealthy beyond belief but we don’t often take the time to realise it. We can run a tap and get water in an instant.
Where exactly has it come from? Who cares, when we need it, it’s there and we don’t have to go on a five-mile trek to get it. So let’s just appreciate the fuck out of that. You can sit in comfort, on your couch, in your pyjamas and order pretty much anything you want online. From groceries, clothing, makeup, furniture; and a lot of this stuff will arrive the very next day.
It’s like a modern-day miracle, we love you Amazon Prime. And, one of my favourites. You can buy a ticket that enables you to fly… in the sky, where we can’t naturally breathe, above the clouds, to another fucking country, and get there in a matter of hours. This shit is incredible but what do we choose to focus on? Moaning our asses off about the queue at passport control or how long it took to collect the hold luggage. We forget to breathe in the pure magic of taking flight. For some people modern life sucks; to me, it’s a fucking miracle.
The greatest Kings and Queens from history would’ve given all of their riches to experience the modern luxuries that today we take for granted.
It’s time to reconnect with our gratefulness. Not in fleeting moments but instead as a baseline for how we live. I’ve found the best way to be consistently grateful is to start a daily habit of gratefulness. I wake up each morning and before I’ve even fluttered my eyelashes I like to think about all the amazing things in my life I’m grateful for and just spend time visualising and being thankful for them. It usually starts with my family, friends, and health, and moves onto home and work and from there it can spread to anywhere. It’s different every single day, and it’s funny you never tire of doing your gratefuls. Compile your own gratitude list and spend quality time embracing it. This is how you start your 2018 days right.
No one steps out of bed being a bitch if they’ve done their ‘gratefuls’. You step out ‘of bed with a spring, smile, and bad girl swagger.’
2) Step up to Self Love:
2018 is not going to be ‘your year’ if you don’t prioritise and care for you.
Self-love is the foundation of your life, your happiness, your success, your relationships, your wealth, your everything, DO YOU HEAR ME?! Without self-love, you can’t dream a big dream let alone live it. Self-love is the secret sauce that gives you the confidence to set a higher standard for yourself and once you’ve done that, oh baby, the world better watch out because you’ll be coming full force.
If you love yourself first and make yourself a priority everything else in your lovely life will excel because you’ll be firing on all cylinders and stepping out like a badass into the world. The more you invest in yourself means the more you’ll have to give to others, and the more you give, the more you will receive.
So, if 2018 is going to be the year of all years learn how to treat you the way that you want to be treated. Start by telling yourself that you love you. You tell others so why not tell yourself and see how that affection affects your spirit massively. Also, what are your non-negotiables? The things you need in order to make you function and be the best version of yourself. Decide and make space for these things in your life.
For me, yoga, gym sessions, writing and one prosecco fuelled evening must be in included in my week. That’s what gets me juiced up and excited and then I’m ready to take on the world.
3) Stop listening to your own BS:
Make 2018 the year you stop listening to your own bullshit and start listening to your truth. The negativity you allow yourself to listen to holds you back, keeps you safe and small and from realizing your fullest potential. So as 2017 draws to a close it’s time to lay that inner voice to rest. When your ‘truth’ voice becomes the dominant master in your mind you’ll be set to rise to any challenge and goal in 2018 with gusto.
The subconscious is a wonderful, obedient machine. It hates to disagree with you and always fights in your corner no matter how crazy you might be. So, if you tell yourself you can’t do something your subconscious will find all the reasons and excuses to support that thought or belief. On the other hand, if you tell yourself, ‘no matter what, I’m going to rock this idea until it becomes my reality’, the subconscious will work just as hard to guide you to all the support you need to make that happen.
The subconscious mind also can’t distinguish between imagination and reality, so whatever you feed your mind on a regular basis it will learn to accept and support. So, if you keep telling yourself that you’re a loser your brain will not hesitate to find reasons to agree with you. Likewise, if you tell yourself you are an amazing abundant, happy, generous person your beautiful mind will also find all of the reasons to agree and give you a high five to that. What are some of your common, recurring thoughts and opinions? What is your thought style? Are your thoughts on a positive or negative flow? If your thoughts are often negative start to swap them for a positive one. You’ll feel more confident and empowered in a heartbeat.
“Don’t leave home without putting on your happy face.”
Live Like You Give A F**K by Nicola Findlay (published by Clink Street Publishing 7th November 2017 in paperback and ebook) is available to purchase from online retailers including amazon.co.uk and to order from all good bookstores. For more information please visit www.nicolafindlay.co.uk
