If you have ever shopped at Macy’s over the holidays, you know they use the word “Believe” as part of their branding. This is an invitation to bring “Believe” truly into your life in the New Year… and leave the old resolution as a goal or wish behind.

How is this different than making a resolution? Let’s take a look.

Listen

What you want to create in 2022 must come from your deep and true inner desires. Give yourself the gift of pausing in this busy time of year to love yourself. Ask yourself, your inner wisdom, what you truly desire in the coming year.

This is not what a friend is doing or fixing something that our society or someone you know has said you should do. This is your life, and you know what is waiting to be created.

If it helps, you can listen to my guided mediation below, or any other support, that quiets you enough to trust yourself and listen. This mediation will guide you through key areas of life to help you reflect on the fullness of what is possible in the year ahead.

What is calling to you? Allow the answer to be fully yours. If needed, just stay aware of the question about what you truly desire and see what surfaces for you over several days. Allow all possibilities to surface.

You may want to talk yourself out of some desires because you don’ t think they are possible, or you don’t deserve them, or you don’t see how they can happen.

Don’t.

Follow the desire and see where it takes you. You probably will surprise yourself.

Bond with Your Vision

Next, write down what you envision in detail. Don’t hurry through this. You might even draw pictures. Some of mine look like a 10-year-old drew them and I don’t care. They help me see myself living the life I want.

Include how your life feels both physically and emotionally. Put yourself into the condition you want. Where are you? What are you doing? Who are you with? Is there a fragrance, color, feeling in the air?

It is important to find one or more moments within your vision where you feel an emotional connection. For example, when I decided to create deeper personal relationships with other women, I imagined enjoying a safe and warm conversation on the phone, laughing, and sharing. Yes, that is a part of my life now.

Believe

Finally – and this is the “Believe” aspect – know what you desire is possible and that it will become your reality. What might you do each day knowing that your decision is becoming your reality?

Here is your daily practice. Start now. When you wake up connect with your vision, especially the moment with the emotional connection. Then ask yourself, “what can I do today to move toward making this my reality?” Even the smallest step counts! Then, do it.

Can you see how this is different than goal setting? Rather than setting a goal, you are immediately in the process of creating.

For example, your desire may be to feel more fit and energetic. Many of us would immediately decide to exercise three times a week or join a health club or lose five pounds. Instead, imagine yourself feeling fit and energetic. What are you able to do? What does it feel like to be strong? What does your body feel like? How do your clothes fit?

Then, BELIEVE. Do not underestimate this step. Living in the complete expectation that your vision is becoming your reality can be a challenge some days when you just can’t see any progress or are tired. I’ll share one of my tricks. I have a special spot on my daily walk where I pause and thank life for everything that is unfolding in support of my vision, even though I can’t see all of it yet.

In appreciation of the Sixty and Me community, Ardith offers a special 10% discount on coaching packages and workshops. Learn more directly at connect@ardithbowman.com.

What will you believe to 2022? What can you do today to move in that direction? What type of guidance or support do you think you need?

This era of our life can be hard. We try to be positive and look for the best in every day but sometimes we just need to admit we’re struggling. This week, I lost a friend, then spent several days in bed with a bug. It was the perfect formula for slipping into a deep funk.

I let myself feel just enough of my sadness and frustration to maintain a healthy grasp on an uncomfortable reality, but then I did what I always do when I need to pull myself out of the blues, I distracted myself.

Dwelling on the sad side of life for too long can really take us down emotionally, physically and psychologically. I find it’s important to have a few activities that I can turn to when the news is bad and the sky turns grey. I call them my healthy distractions.

Create

I have a set of acrylic paints that I pull out when I feel like I need an escape. There’s something so calming about transforming a blank piece of paper into an esthetically pleasing personal expression. It doesn’t need to be a masterpiece. It just needs to engage me and capture my attention for a few hours to give me the break I need.

Exercise

I stay active, even when I may not feel so inclined. I don’t always work up a sweat, but just moving my body seems to lift me out of my thoughts. A short bike ride or 20 minutes of mindful yoga, focusing on my balance and my breath rather than my blues, seems to relax the tension caused by an emotional situation I can’t control.

Time in Nature

I love to hike the hills. But even a short walk, or just enjoying nature’s splendor from the right vantage point, clears my mind and helps me feel fully alive within a broader spectrum of my emotions. It’s so much easier to see life as worth living when I consciously witness the beauty of the wilderness.

A Good Read

If my energy level is low, but I really feel the need to escape for a while, I read. There is nothing as engrossing as a good story. I find I can lose myself in the characters’ lives and leave mine behind for just a bit. I usually choose something light and uplifting, with a satisfying happy ending.

Travel

Even a short getaway and a brief change of scenery serves to boost my morale. But there are many times I just can’t get away on the spur of the moment. So, instead of going, I plan. I research destinations that interest me, or let my imagination lead me to unfamiliar and exotic places I may never see in person.

Just looking at the photos, reading about the history and culture gives me a taste of the destination and the escape I need.

The Inspiring Side of Social Media

I know, everyone has something disparaging to say about Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Reels, but I find if I’m discerning in my selection, it can be quite enriching. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of outlets for healthy, active aging, how-to’s about staying fit and healthy, adopting an engaging hobby, appreciating the arts, or living an alternative lifestyle in retirement.

It’s a readily available vehicle to connect with people all over the world and explore how others are living fulfilled lives at this stage of life. If nothing else, I just take a time out and lie there perusing the pretty pictures, letting my mind wander.

Cooking

Food is comfort in my culture. I grew up in a Southern Italian/American family where, at the first sign of upheaval, someone put something rich, savory and satisfying on the stove. My go to comfort food is pasta, of course, made from my Nana’s recipe and stirred with her wooden spoon. It might not solve my problems, but it gives me a feeling I’m not alone in trying.

It’s not easy to maintain a positive outlook when the inevitable happens, but if we provide respite for our minds and our hearts, doing something pleasant, soothing and uplifting, it feels possible. Carrying along a healthy dose of distraction on this ride through life, just might be a viable way to ease ourselves over the rough spots.

When do you feel the greatest need for distraction? What type of distractions help you in difficult situations? How do they stimulate you to be positive?

After a night of restlessness or in the midst of a hectic week, the last thing you need is to worry about dark circles or puffy under eyes. Apparently, there’s a foolproof way to get rid of these annoyances in just 20 minutes. Amazon shoppers are obsessing over a pair of 24k gold eye patches that, according to them, provides “immediate” results by decreasing puffiness and diminishing droopiness in one use.

The Demora patches have more than 10,000 perfect ratings thanks to their fast-acting capabilities. Shoppers credit them for being highly effective and easy to use.

“I work different hours throughout the week and when I work nights and have to get up early, these eye patches make the difference,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “Goodbye dark circles and under-eye baggage! I always put them in the fridge no less than 30 minutes before I put them on (super hydrating!). They are simple, not sticky, NO mess, no smell, just absolutely perfect.”

RELATED: Murad Just Came Out With Its Own Wrinkle-Smoother That Mimics Botox

Courtesy of Dermora Store.

24K Gold Eye Mask Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles Treatment

These impressive results make sense given that the patches are soaked in supremely nourishing and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and castor oil, two ingredients known and loved for their conditioning and plumping capabilities. Not to mention, the patches are packed with glycerin and collagen so that when they’re applied to your skin, it gets a boost in elasticity and water retention.

All of these ingredients work together to de-puff your skin, diminish the appearance of fine lines and give it a youthful glow.

“I have used every kind of eye cream for years with NO results and believe me, this result is an absolute first and immediate, which blows me away,” wrote one shopper who said they were shocked after using these patches. “I used this the same day I received it and after 25 to 30 minutes I removed the pads and noticed a difference, literally.”

Each pack comes with 20 patches so you get 10 uses for just $2 a piece. These are ideal for using before big days at work, prior to nights out or ahead of events where you want to look and feel like your best self. They’re simple to use, too. Place the patches along your under eyes and wait for 20 minutes before taking them off. They’re designed to stay in place, so you can go about your day as normal while you use them. Cook a meal, watch the latest episode of And Just Like That… or go for a stroll. Once you’re done, you’ll be able to see and be impressed by how good your skin looks.

Now, excuse us while we stock up on a few dozen of these patches.

Kyle Richards’ Light Blue Cardigan on Instagram

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills 2021 Instagram Fashion

Kyle Richards looked lovely in her light blue cardigan on Instagram. She wore it while treating herself to a little skin treatment. Unfortunately we all may not have the means to treat ourselves to the skin tightening treatment Kyle had done. BUT we do have the means of treating ourselves to a new light blue cardigan. After all shopping is one form of self care.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Intermix Cardigan

Photo Credit: @newbeauty

Originally posted at: Kyle Richards’ Light Blue Cardigan