Now that the world is opening back up, we may feel pressure to pack our social calendars and present a shiny, post-quarantine version of ourselves. That being said, it can be tempting to criticize ourselves.
As a simple reminder, there is a fine line between wanting to live healthfully and put our best foot forward versus living for the sole purpose of having as many people find us as attractive, successful, or interesting as possible. The former will allow us to exude vibrancy and attract the people who cherish us. If we rely on the latter, we are left with the self-critical voice telling us to do more and be better.
Physical results tend to be a side effect of honoring our health and showing some self-compassion. The goal is not perfection, but finding a BALANCE that gives us wiggle room to enjoy life’s spontaneous moments.
Here’s the good news: achieving optimal health & wellbeing, without the distraction of fad diets, is actually really simple! Here are some necessary tools for long-term habit change that can shift us from a scarcity mindset to one of ABUNDance!
Focus on FUN forms of movement that energize you.
Take time each day to get quiet and rest.
When in doubt, shop along the perimeter of the grocery store. That is where the whole food ingredients are (they ARE the ingredients). Supplements and vitamins will not help you if you don’t put real food first. They are intended to supplement a diet based on protein, fiber-rich cellular carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
Aim to buy the highest quality and properly raised ingredients for your home, but don’t stress too much if you are at a nice restaurant and don’t know if the fish is wild vs farmed or if the almond milk has added sugar. It’s about doing the best you can and enjoying the people you are with!
Lastly (and most importantly), let this be a reminder that what happens inside translates on the outside. Health and confidence are visible. Big smiles and all-consuming laughter are visible. Rather than attaching our worth to weight or clothing size, let’s redefine beauty as loving our insides and reflecting that outwardly.
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The Author:
Hi! My name is Lilly, and I am the Programming and Marketing Coordinator for Abundelicious. As a recent graduate of Bucknell University with a BA in Sociology and Anthropology, I continue to follow my passion for holistic wellness, functional medicine, and human connection. I have had the privilege of working for the school's on-campus organic farm and have worked on a farm outside of Santa Cruz to learn about organic agriculture.
I also spent five months in the South Island of New Zealand researching integrative and holistic health practices and have presented my research at the International Conference for Traditional Medicine. Currently, I specialize in social media analytics & marketing, website design, program development, and content creation within the holistic health field.
