You Made It Through Half of January! Now Let’s Talk About Feeling Good
So… how are those New Year’s resolutions holding up?
If your answer is “not so great,” don’t worry—really. This isn’t another “stick to your goals” pep talk or a “beat your cravings!” blog post.
This is about something deeper. Something more important.
This is about feeling good.
The Truth About Feeling Good (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)
Here’s the thing: most of us want to feel good—but we were never really taught how.
Media has glamorized the idea. Feeling good is portrayed as luxurious, flashy, time-consuming, and expensive. But as a former overachiever and hustle-hard loyalist, I’m here with some good news:
You can feel good, and it doesn’t have to be any of those things.
You don’t have to sacrifice your dreams, burn through your energy, or rely solely on discipline and grind. In fact, the secret to feeling better might just lie in doing less—but with intention.
For the longest time, I believed that feeling good was a luxury, even selfish. If I felt good, I assumed I must not be working hard enough or hustling fast enough. But that constant push? It only ever led me to one place: burnout.
Sound familiar?
Eventually, after yet another crash, I started wondering:
Can I still chase my goals and feel good doing it?
Is there a way to “go for it” without spiraling into stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion?
The answer surprised me: Yes. Feeling good was the missing piece.
That’s what inspired this new approach—a mindful way of living that helps break (or at least soften) the burnout cycle by making feeling good the compass we follow.
This isn’t about adding more to your already-full to-do list. It’s about tuning into what’s already happening in your body, energy, and emotions—and using that wisdom to guide you.
I’ve broken this approach down into three core steps, with simple, doable guidelines under each.
Ready to dive in?
MINDFUL METHOD #1: Prioritize Rest (In a Way That Actually Works)
For years, I battled insomnia. I was tired all the time, yet still pushing myself harder—until eventually, I’d crash and cancel everything.
I had to ask myself:
Is “grinding it out” worth it if I feel terrible every day?
The truth is, sustainable productivity starts with rest.
It’s not a reward for hard work—it’s the foundation of it. You deserve rest simply because you exist—not because you’ve earned it.
Here’s how I changed my relationship with rest:
✦ Rest Tip #1: Tune Into Your Body Throughout the Day
If your mind starts spinning or your shoulders creep up to your ears, pause. Ask:
What am I feeling right now? What do I need?
Your body always sends messages. The trick is listening instead of overriding them. My sleep issues? They were symptoms of unmet needs I ignored all day.
Start paying attention to how you feel before bed. Your quality of sleep starts long before your head hits the pillow.
✦ Rest Tip #2: Understand the 4 Types of Rest
Not all rest is sleep. Sometimes we’re tired in ways that a nap can’t fix.
- Physical Rest: sleep, stretching, lying down
- Mental Rest: reading, baking, hobbies, letting your brain breathe
- Emotional Rest: journaling, crying, talking to a friend
- Spiritual Rest: time in nature, prayer, meditation, stillness
Ask yourself daily: What kind of rest do I need today?
✦ Rest Tip #3: Consider Magnesium
Talk to your doctor about trying magnesium before bed—it helps lower cortisol, regulate blood sugar, improve sleep quality, and boost mood. It’s been a total game-changer for me.
MINDFUL METHOD #2: Understand Your Blood Sugar (Seriously)
I used to let my blood sugar drop way too far before eating—because I thought what I was doing was “more important” than stopping to eat. Sound familiar?
Here’s the deal:
You can’t feel good if your body doesn’t have what it needs.
Basic needs first. Always.
✦ Energy Tip #1: Know Your Signs
What happens when your blood sugar dips? For me, it’s irritability, brain fog, tension, and obsessively thinking about snacks.
Make your own list. Knowing your early warning signs helps you respond faster (and more kindly).
✦ Energy Tip #2: Eat Mindfully
When it’s time to eat, ask yourself:
What am I craving? Sweet? Savory? Crunchy?
Choose something that satisfies your body and your senses. Make it beautiful. Add a drink. Make it a vibe.
Tune in. Savor it. Pretend it’s the first time you’ve ever had it.
Each meal is a chance to reconnect with your body. Your body is wise. Trust it.
MINDFUL METHOD #3: Follow What Feels Good
This is my favorite step—because who doesn’t want to feel good?
Discipline matters, sure. But when we rely only on willpower, even the things meant to bring us joy start to feel like chores.
But when you feel good, you naturally do more things that keep you feeling good. It becomes a beautiful, upward cycle.
✦ Joy Tip #1: Make a “Feels Good” List
Take stock of your day. What gave you energy? What sparked joy?
Write down the little things:
A slow morning. A funny meme. Your favorite sweater. A great song. A nourishing meal.
Noticing what energizes you helps you create more of it.
For me, I realized slow mornings set the tone for my whole day. Now I protect that time like gold. I stretch, journal, breathe, eat breakfast slowly. That’s not “lazy”—it’s life-giving.
✦ Joy Tip #2: Make a “Doesn’t Feel Good” List
Also important: what’s draining you?
What made you feel heavy, anxious, disconnected? Was it doom-scrolling? Certain conversations? Inner criticism?
Your body always knows. Learn to listen. Use this list as a guide for what to reduce, shift, or walk away from.
✦ Joy Tip #3: Try an “Un-Do” List
Here’s a fun twist: instead of a to-do list, make an un-do list.
Ask:
What can I let go of today?
What’s truly urgent vs. what I just feel obligated to do?
Give yourself permission to cross things off that don’t matter. Make space. Clear the clutter. Your nervous system will thank you.
Final Thoughts
I hope this mindful method helps you reconnect with what energizes you, nourishes you, and makes you feel truly good—inside and out.
You deserve rest.
You deserve to feel well.
You deserve a life that feels like you.
So here’s to slow mornings, nourishing meals, joyful moments, and taking your power back—one mindful step at a time.
Wishing you a beautiful, grounded, and peaceful start to your year.