Refresh. Renew. Replenish

WOOOO! It’s 2018. What a time for new or better [whichever one works for you] beginnings?We are 7 days in and it is imperative that you all refresh, renew, and replenish your mind, body, and soul frequently to maximize the 2018 experience. In the last days of 2017, social media was bombarded with memes & quotes depicting how much of a terrible year 2017 was for everyone. Well, you have the power to dictate how this new year will go for you. You can sulk in what cards you’re dealt and end up with such a distaste for your life. Or you can either trust, that come what may, God is still in control and make lemons out of lemonade. I’d say choose the latter!Here’s some things I will be implementing to ensure I make the best of this brand-new year:Refresh/rə’freSH/

1. give new strength or energy to; reinvigorate

Remember that self-care may not always look like spa days and roses. Sometimes, simply making sure you ate a balanced meal, and slept enough is all you can do to go on. Listen to your body and take a breather sometimes.In 2018, I just want to show up for me. It wasn’t until I was crying every day, sleeping a lot more, and saying “oh well” after skipping out on my responsibilities that I realized I hadn’t been showing up for me. While I worked so hard to show up in every other area of my life, I neglected me. My soul was crying out for attention, but I was stretched so thin, self-care became a completely foreign concept.Renew/rə ‘n(y)o͞o/

1. give fresh life or strength to

Renew your spirit & especially your mind.Now is the perfect time to reflect. Work on correcting some bad habits, or eliminating them all together. Replace those negative thoughts with positive, uplifting ones. Simply renew your mind. This is not an overnight process but being more aware of habits you have that may not necessarily be benefiting you; and actually striving to make a difference in your own life is the most important step you could take.I’m constantly finding myself eliminating certain ways of thinking I have. I’m lucky to have friends that let me know when I’m wrong. Negative thoughts have got to go! I’m standing firm in my purpose, so I refuse to let thoughts of inferiority and failure to rule me. I am not defeated. My father says I am more than a conqueror. I will not fail. I have not failed. Obviously, there’s another way. I am not struggling, but what I am doing is surviving. Jekayln says “Everything attached to me will win.” Well, I believe it.  My past will not hold me. Every day I take another breath is not a day for mediocrity. Anything I touch will be blessed. Counseling is a great way to release and begin the process of having a renewed mind.Replenish/rə ‘pleniSH/

1. fill (something) up again

Replenish your soul. You have been stripped of the bad. You have a fresh, clean slate. Now is the time to fill up with good things. I love a good book, podcast, and even YouTube series/sermons. Positive affirmations are my favorite. Tell yourself all the encouraging things you need to hear until you believe them. I literally have sticky notes posted on my full-length mirror. I find them to be so effective when I need a boost.Dive into the Bible. Find some good books. Create some uplifting playlists to get you through! Your soul will thank you for it.Lastly, rock this year!Love always,Latressa♥