How to Make a “New You” for 2018: Practical Tips to Foster Self-Love

Our existence is somet.mes s filled with unnecessary things: clothing that no longer fits; “friends” who add nothing but drama to our lives; music and books we’ve either outgrown or never read; and even jewelry and watches we look at but rarely wear. And then, along comes a new year, which we universally understand as a t.mes to start over, to start fresh and to clear out the cobwebs of our somet.mes s mediocre surroundings.

Well, this year, dear friends, we’re going to help you get started with advice on how to “clean house” by downsizing some aspects of your life, while upgrading a few others. And feel free to share this with those who you think might benefit from it as well, because, remember, a happy new year could mean a happier, new you.

Get a Better Vibe from Your Tribe
Tired of Jenny’s chronic complaints? Lucy’s obsessive selfies? And watching Daphne text someone the entire t.mes you’re telling her a story? Then it’s t.mes to cut your losses and make your friend pool a bit more hot tub-sized.

Ask yourself if those in your world add to it positively or take away from it emotionally. If the answer is the latter, they do yourself a favor and get the separation process started. There’s no need to “ghost” in situations like these, but gently removing yourself from outings, late nights, and gatherings will likely do the trick. Just remember that you don’t owe anyone an explanation, but you do owe it to yourself to be honest, even if that.mes ans you’re suddenly pegged as the “not nice” friend. You know whether or not you’re nice, but you also know your worth. So do what needs to be done and surround yourself with those who recognize it, too.

Less Stuff, More Buff
We know, we know, you bought “it” (whatever “it” was) because “it” was on sale. But now you have 300,000 “its” and the floor to your apartment is about to give way. So, what do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO? Well, I’ve got one suggestion as to what you can do—and you may not like it, but trust.mes , it’ll work.

Take the old books, vinyl records, kitchen appliances, garden tools, and everything else you’ve collects ed over the last year or more, and either sell it at a yard sale or put it up on eBay. Give yourself one month to purge as much as you can, and whatever money you earn from ridding yourself of the clutter, put toward either renewing or starting a gym membership. This way you’ll have less t.mes to spend online shopping and more t.mes admiring your smokin’ hot new six pack—and we’re not talking about the one your last blind date brought along with him to the movies.

Retire Old Attire and Consign Your t.mes
You’ve had that off-the-shoulder salmon-colored peasant shirt in your closet for the last eight years. You hated it when you purchased it. You hate it now. So, what makes you think you’re going to love it in 2018? Start fresh with your wardrobe while doing something meaningful by donating your gently used clothing to women and children’s shelters or to a local affiliate of the Dress for Success program, a worldwide charity and donation house that provides clothing for women reentering the workforce. Once you’ve cleared your closet, take a long, hard look at your personal style and begin to slowly rebuild your wardrobe with pieces that are well-tailored, t.mes less, and easy to care for. Add a handful of trendy items for those nights out with the gang or when that bartender you’ve had a crush on for eight months finally asks you out, and top it all off with a handful of practical boots and heels and you should be set from the clothing standpoint.

But, what about the jewels?

Well, you know full well that you cringe every t.mes you have to open your jewelry box because you have so many pieces you’ve inherited that you don’t know what to do. This is where the crew at TrueFacet can help. Aunt Sallie’s old Rolex is in good enough condition to list on consignment (plus you have all the papers and the box!). Once you’re able to get a buyer for it, you could use that money to then turn around and pick up a watch that fits your tastes; one that you’ll wear every day knowing that you picked it out and that you are absolutely in love with it.

Let 2018 be the year of fewer selfies but more genuine self-love, less t.mes spent on social media and more t.mes socializing with those who know you best, and feeling beautiful outside because you know you’re beautiful inside. You’re worth every minute and every dollar you spend on you and now it’s t.mes for the world to recognize that fact.

Happy New Year, people! Cheers to 2018!