Bella Dyosa

It’s that ~wonderful~ time of the year.

When we feel motivated to set new goals or resolutions. When we’re compelled to start afresh. When we’re hit with the realization that enough is enough, something has GOT to change in our life.

And this would get us pumped for the 31st and the 1st.

But how long does that high or streak exactly last? What’s your number?

Mine used to be a month or two. Before I finally called it a day and reverted to my old ways. At some point, I thought it was no use to keep setting new year’s resolutions, because I knew I wasn’t going to follow through after a certain amount of time anyway.

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So, why bother?

Why bother embracing change if you’re going to set yourself up for disappointment? Why bother hoping for a new beginning when it’s got the same old ending? Why bother with anything?

This all happened, of course, before I was diagnosed with clinical depression. But that’s a story for another time.

We’re here for new beginnings. ✨

And I’m not talking about just any new beginning. I’m talking about the one where you truly get to rewrite your narrative, where you not only get to cultivate your fresh start, but also commit to it with your mind, heart, body, and soul.

Just like anything else worth embarking on in the world, new beginnings are not easy (well, usually; it’s a case to case basis).

In fact, anyone will tell you that the beginning is the hard part–what, with all the adjustments and growing pains. But it’s the part that helps us grow and learn at full speed.

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Now, I know I put a TON of weight on that introduction to new beginnings. That’s my bad. 😂

But don’t fret! New beginnings can be cultivated with something as simple as incorporating another activity to your daily routine.

Our brains tend to associate new beginnings with a major rehaul–cut and dye your hair, quit your job, end your 274830-year relationship, pack all your belongings, and move to an entirely different country where not a single being knows your name.

Don’t lie. You’ve fantasized about this at least once, okay. It’s not just me.

While the aforementioned thought is wonderful, some people (like me) don’t have enough courage to do that. I would love to–who knows, I might do it one of these days–but again, I’m too chicken to leave everything in one fell swoop. I’ll be the first to admit that.

So, start small. My prime example would be creating a workout routine that is suitable for YOU and no one else (ehem, YES to self-discovery). This is an aspect in my life that I’ve struggled with for years.

I would begin with such vigor and gain momentum, and then end up getting sick of it, eventually flaking and cursing my entire existence for trying.

What changed? My mindset around it.

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I used to be so hung up on losing weight because I didn’t like the way my body looked. Yo girl is HELLA curvy.

Tits? Check. Ass? Check. But you know what else is there? Equally proportionate arms and thighs.

The concept of proportions escaped me though, because the “norm” is you’re supposed to have the big boobs and butt only with thin arms and legs.

Remember the era of the fucking THIGH GAP? I SUBSCRIBED TO THAT SHIT LIKE AN ADDICT. That was a wild time. Shoutout to 2011 Tumblr. 💀

Anyway, the point is that you can’t fully commit to a new beginning or goal if your intention is whacked from the get-go.

I had to sit myself down and really think about what I wanted out of creating a workout routine. What for? What was the outcome? The result? The benefit?

After much self-reflection (and believe me, I had to dig DEEP) it occurred to me: To be as mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy and fit as I can be. I did not need to lose weight. If I do, lovely! What a fantastic result. If I don’t, I’m not going to beat myself about it.

I love to eat! Good food makes me happy, and savoring them as I please? Well, that’s a whole different area of pleasure (hello, ultimate dyosa mindset shift 😌).

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With the ultimate goal of my workout routine down, I then had to move on to the type of workout I wanted to and could do in the long-run. A sustainable exercise.

For me, that was yoga. Even if we didn’t have the best first date (lol, yet another story for another time). And I’m proud to say that I live and breathe yoga now. I find my day incomplete if I don’t do it. The benefits are endless, especially when pairing it with meditation and mindfulness.

I do want to consider integrating other workouts like dancing (my first love) and martial arts. I also don’t mind the occasional hike (as long as the path isn’t a slippery ass slope). But one thing at a time. I may or may not still be uber paranoid about certain diseases and viruses out there.

See? Knowing what you like and/or dislike helps. Trying new experiences as well. Self-discovery amirite? 😜

I’ll try anything at least once to be honest. Because how will you know what suits you without experiencing them firsthand?

Except skiing. That’s a fucking death trap.

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What’s important, too, is that at the end of the day, you’re doing all this for yourself. You’re learning how to create a new beginning for yourself.

Want to lose weight? Cool, as long as it’s for you. Want to wear cute athleisure outfits? Great, as long as it’s for you. Want to just better your overall wellbeing? Awesome, as long as it’s for you.

Cause I’ll be damned if anyone says you don’t deserve it! 😤 And this must be applied to any new beginning.

So, ask yourself: What part of my narrative needs to be rewritten? Where am I ready to step it the fuck up? How do I let my authentic self shine through said aspects of life or goals?

From there, it will be a whole lot easier to go forth and do your thing. Remember that we only get to live this life once, might as well live it according to our rules.

Also, four for you, Glen Coco! You go, Glen Coco!! (What? It’s candy cane season.)

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I’m rooting for you for real. You got this. WE got this.

Our new beginning awaits and it’s ours to cultivate. 🥰😉