XVI

Happy Sweet Sixteen to the third millennium! 
It's weird the way the time vanishes... I swear I still feel/behave like it's 2007. 
Though not typically one for New Years Resolutions (I find continuous self-evaluation and improvement to be a more noble and benchmarkable cause), it is an indisputable fact that goal setting is paramount to one's personal growth and success. So why not let the start of the new year coincide with some of your short and long term objectives? No harm there. I just wouldn't go calling them "New Year's Resolutions," because as that Jan 1st square on the calendar shrinks further and further into the background, so might your motivation and incentive (At least from my own personal experience).
That being said, I thought I would use my first blog post of 2016 to showcase a few of my own goals for this year, as well as some books that I'm currently reading, products I'm enjoying, and songs I'm bumping like errryday; Enjoy.


My Goals for the Year:

1) Blog more (at least once a week)
2) Swear less (word to Ma)
3) Finish writing my novel
4) Master the practice of Meditation
5) Photograph for at least 5 minutes every day
6) Exercise 3-4 times a week
7) Send a hand-written letter to a friend each month
8) Get promoted at work
9) Journal Daily

* When setting goals, it's important to try and use specific numerical values and time frames-- This will hold you accountable to a certain standard which will remain clear even if you become less motivated. I've also tried to include at least one goal in each category of wellness: Intellectual, Social, Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, and Occupational. Balancing your objectives this way will lead to an overall improved sense of well-being, even if you don't achieve every single one. 


Books I'm Currently Reading:

1) The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche - This book is crazy deep, insightful, and is sure to expand your mind in some way. It explores themes of impermanence, karma and rebirth, the nature of mind, meditation, the practice of compassion, how to care for and show love to the dying, and much more. Although written from a Buddhist perspective, the book is not matter-of-fact or condescending toward people of other faiths in the slightest, and in fact most of the themes within can be applied to any religion or spiritual disposition. 

2) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - On the surface, The Alchemist is an easy-read fiction novel about an Andalusian shepherd, but truly it is much more than that. Written as an allegory for achieving one's true destiny/personal dream, the story is more of a self help piece than light literature. So far I've been very inspired and cannot wait to finish reading. 


Products I'm Currently Using:

1) LUSH Breath of Fresh Air Toner - Contains seawater, seaweed extract, rose absolute and aloe vera to soothe and balance dry or damaged skin.

2) MIZON Snail Recovery Gel Cream - It might sound nasty to put snail secretion on your face, but there's definitely something to it. Korean skincare is years ahead of us-- after using this for just a few days in collaboration with my LUSH toner, my complexion cleared up and I saw reduced redness and oiliness in my skin, as well as shrunken pores. It is not, however, a moisturizer. If you are prone to dry skin, you will need to apply lotion after this cream. 

3) Natural Anxiety Remedies (New Chapter Holy Basil Force, Life Seasons Anxie-T, Herb Pharm Kava Root Extract) - A big thing I struggled with in 2015 was anxiety/some accompanying depression (the two are very closely linked). It took me a while to pinpoint anxiety as the root of my issue, as it wasn't something I had ever had problems with before. I started taking these all-natural and non habit-forming supplements, and it's crazy the amount of improvement I've experienced in a few short months. Highly recommend if you wrestle with anxiety. Life is short; stress less :)

4) B12 Vitamins (any brand, I use Nature Made) - B12 is a vitamin which carries innumerable positive benefits-- including increased energy, stress reduction, protection against heart disease, cell reproduction for healthy skin and hair, and even alleged protection against cancer. These little miracle pills can be found at any drugstore or supermarket. Take on a consistent basis to feel results!


My Current Playlist:




That's all for now folks. Hopefully (per my above goals) Boho will be comin' atcha much more frequently this year, and I hope that you can extract some inspiration or utility from the ideas and items mentioned in this post. 
Try new things in 2016. 
Go harder; Dream bigger; Love more. 
If there is one sentiment that is consistently drilled into my head and heart each New Year, it's that we don't have time here to waste. 
Own this life. 
xx