Northern California Style

Northern California Style

This Year Change Your Thinking…

By 25 Comments

I got away the last week to Tahoe and Napa. (My friend took this pic of our feet on a snowy beach.) It was good to be away if only for a short time.

After the craziness of this fast Christmas season, I finally am taking a few minutes to reflect, take a darn breath and think about the coming year…

First, I got myself a datebook.  I still love having a paper one, if only to have a document of the year gone by. I think it’s fun to stash pretty notes and keepsakes in it as I go too. I do have a calendar on my phone, but it’s comforting to have something to look at on paper of the upcoming month/week.

The house is cleared and my mind is too. After the usual holiday indulgences, I need to start fresh….

One thing I do not do is get into the whole resolution madness. Like a diet, or any new ‘plan,’ it’s just so easy to fail and then go down a negative route. Plus I don’t really believe extreme changes to your diet are good for the body.

It’s still winter and you should be kind to yourself, change as you go by making healthy habits that become part of your life. Those are easier and slower to implement, but will ultimately stick.

 Instead of dieting, eat more veggies and greens, lessen sugars, and indulgences like breads and cheeses. Try to cook at home. Basically trying to eat cleaner and being more active are all good things though less radical, but easier done and can make you feel better each day of the new year! Smart choices, not radical changes will make you succeed with this.

Go slow, finish the books you didn’t have time to, watch the birds, take walks and hikes, daydream, indulge in a few naps by the fire and enjoy this part of winter! Ease yourself into 2015 and take stock, be grateful, look at the big picture, and try to live in the moment.

That is what I hope I can do for the New Year!

Kim
 (Disclaimer: this plan may not help you lose 10 pounds in January. 😉 Love yourself and be healthy. Quick results aren’t as good as long term ones!)

ON MY RADAR...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  12. Lamar Mendiola says

    Hey Kim: I know it's been awhile since I commented so Happy New Year 2015 to you too!. Yes, I also have my paper planner/calendar, will continue to love myself and have already started the more- fruits- and-veggies-route this year so I can live to be 100! Also, my husband and I moved into a cottage house in San Antonio in September. We love it and and the much slower pace. Take care and keep in touch.

  13. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    Lamar!
    Thank you. I am glad you are doing well. You are like me I keep thinking I need to eat those veggies so I can be 98 like my grandma!
    A cottage house sounds charming! So nice to have a more slower pace isn't it? I really felt like I want that to happen this year and have time to do the things that matter, you know?
    Thank you Lamar for still reading and taking the time to send a note! I so appreciate it.
    Wishing you the best in the New Year and in your new home!

  15. Heather Lindstrom says

    I always love your images, Kim! What a festive (and travel filled) season you've had. Both Tahoe and Napa Valley looked wonderful. I love that pic of you and Max. Scott and I enjoyed our 5 days in SF-felt a bit decadent to have that much time in the city. Sorry our schedules didn't coincide-next time! Here's to relishing the new year and taking it slow for January. Enjoy!
    xx, Heather

  16. Leigh Powell Hines says

    Great thoughts…

    And this comment.. "Instead of dieting, eat more veggies and greens, lessen sugars, and indulgences like breads and cheeses". That's basically what I've been doing for a week, and I'm now six pounds. Lots more to go, but I love these changes.

    Leigh

  17. About Last Weekend says

    Also occurred to me…my writing tutor says we find a way to be, to get through the day, work and the rest. Then we want to set about changing it. I've realised i have to work within the parameters of my already formed personality. For e.g. realised this week I am never going to rise at 6am to work out. Just never going to happen.

  18. Badinage says

    Oh your photographs are so utterly stunning. I've been 'dieting' and eating clean for 20 odd years, ( another ten of yo yo dieting before that) Lordy I can't wait to throw in the towel and revert to the shape of my genetically chubby family – I'm thinking 5 years from now!

  19. Badinage says

    I am your opposite, I will never be able to go out for dinner and drinks at 8pm or gasp, 9pm with the grown ups, I'm up at 5.00am, work out at 6.00am – I'm a Cali girl at heart!

  20. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    Thank you Tabitha. You know it's the only way eating well and moving. It just has to become habit and then it's enjoyable.. You are too funny. I'm sure you will never let that happen. Too many beautiful clothes you have to fit into no? 😉 You are like a California girl. I swear so many are early risers.. When I do get into that mode I can hardly function after 8, let alone do dinner…

  23. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    Jody, this is so true what your tutor said. It's about listening to your own rhythms and making life work best for you according to that. I just read a super article about making the top 5 things you care about be 95% of your day and just push the rest out. We have to much noise from phones, Facebook, etc and we need to be calm and make what we care about a priority. It's so hard to shut everything else out, but you can.

  25. Pamela Rosenberg says

    Kim. So fun to read your post I feel like we were sitting there watching it together. I almost featured Viola Davis in the red dress to. Elegant. Thanks for stopping by becolorful. I will be visiting here again Great post
    Pam ela

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