Every January, the whole New Year, New You hype happens. We’re hit with endless advice on how to completely overhaul our lives. We buy into it and make bold resolutions to be the most perfect version of ourselves. We swear we’ll actually stick with it. But it’s just not realistic. Most resolutions aren’t sustainable. We end up quitting. We feel bad about it. And then we put ourselves through it again.
After years of going along with the hype, I now take a different approach to the New Year. For me it’s about simplifying. I look back on what really worked last year—and I remind myself to do more of it. I focus on what didn’t work, too, and try to do less of it. It’s not about changing my life, or trying to become a different person. It’s about hitting the reset button, recharging, and heading into the year feeling good.
The key for me is learning about new innovations in beauty, health, and wellness throughout the year. I’m always up for trying what’s new, and when something works, I incorporate it into my life. I’ve learned that it’s the accumulation of small changes that make the biggest impact over time—walking those extra steps, wearing less (or more!) makeup, working that new superfood into your diet, or trying that miracle cream. When you think about changes as a series of small, simple improvements, it doesn’t feel overwhelming the way resolutions do.
The smartest experts I know have the same approach. Making your life great isn’t about making some crazy big pronouncement after cocktails on NYE. Instead, it is about being open to finding out what smart choices work best for your life—and that takes time. At Yahoo Beauty, we’re kicking off January by gathering a kickass team of experts to share the best lifestyle and beauty advice to help you refresh, recharge, and reboot. Hairstylist Marie Robinson, integrative practitioner Dr. Frank Lipman, yogi Danielle Diamond, osteopath Dr. Erik Steiner, and dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler. The week of January 5th, we’ll post stories to seriously inspire you this year. It’s not about changing everything—it’s about finding the things that work for you to make you feel more empowered, confident, and amazing. Here’s to 2015.