Glow up

If you practice compassion that does not include yourself, then it's not complete ~buddha

It's a new year and I bet one of your goals is to be the best version of yourself and one step to reach that goal is by looking good and feeling good which in this case we refer it to glow up.

For a detailed explanation glow up is a positive empowering transformation to improve personal growth and development which could be physical or internal depending on what area you want to improve on.

It's the process of turning into a better version of yourself which helps boosts your confidence, attractiveness and success in your life.

When I talk about glow up a lot think it's about your physical appearance but it's more of what you feel about yourself. That's why there are two types of glow up; physical glow up and emotional/ mental/ internal glow up.

Physical glow up

This is a practice of improving your physical appearance.

Looking after your body improves your appearance giving you enough confidence to tackle the day's activity.

Here are ways on how you can glow up physically

• Follow a skincare routine

I love doing skin care and seeing my skin healthy and glowy. Makes me feel good and makes my skin look good.

This keeps your skin healthy hence brings about a glowing skin

Look for products that are suitable for your skin and Incase you need help developing a skin care routine or you have concerns about your skin, consult a dermatologist or a professional.

• Wear clothes that emphasize your favorite features

This will help you look good and when you look good you feel good.

Wear colours that make your eyes pop. Where clothes that accentuate your figure. Where good should that draw attention to your legs.

Find a style that you love at the same time make you comfortable and confident.

Put on accessories to make that good outfit you've won shine. You can also bring along a statement bag to compliment your outfit

• Try makeup

Makeup makes a huge difference in your appearance.

Experimenting make up will make you understand if you like how it looks on you.

There are plenty of makeup tutorials online incase you are a beginner or just want to perfect your skill.

This will help you identify how you love your makeup done.

There is no rules to makeup. Get a routine comfortable for you to use and will also make you look good

Make sure you take good care of your skin if you are using makeup

• Drink water

Keeping yourself hydrated has many benefits to your body that will keep you glowing.

Get a cute reusable bottle to motivate you to drink water.

Incase you have troubles drinking water, you can infuse it with your favorite fruits to give it a bit of flavor.

• Eat healthy

How you fuel your body will determine your glow up.

A balanced diet is the best way to go.

Avoid processed foods but a treat once in a while can't hurt.

Incase of concerns please visit a doctor or a specialist.

• Exercise regularly

Exercise does make you look good and feel good

Exercises doesn't have to be done at the gym, find activities that you enjoy such as swimming, running or yoga.

It is advices to aim to exercising 3-5 times a week unless instructed by a professional.

You can do home work outs incase you don't feel comfortable going to the gym.

• A hygiene routine

A great way to glow up is by having a hygiene routine.

A hygiene routine is an indepth cleanse of your body.

This practice includes bathing/showering, washing hands, brushing your teeth and more.

Each person's hygiene routine is different.

Develop a hygiene routine that works for you and will make you feel good.

Taking care of your hygiene will make your body appreciate the care and makes you feel good and fresh

Invest in good body care products that your body would love.

• Maintenance routine

This is having that time to yourself where you go an extra mile to take care of yourself and work on your beauty.

You can have daily, weekly and monthly maintenance.

Daily routines can include drinking water, skin care and body care routines.

Weekly routines can include a pamper session/ everything shower (my personal favorite) , hair care, face masks and exfoliation.

Monthly routines can include some spa time, facials, getting your nails, hair and your lashes done.

Emotional/ mental/ internal glow up

This is an opportunity to better your mind and soul. It encompasses the transformation of your mental or emotional state which affects your overall lifestyle.

This practice requires the act of being gentle and kind with yourself.

We do have a version of ourselves where we are reaching to embody.

We want to show up for ourselves and wishing and hoping for a different reality than that we have now.

In order to have an internal glow up, identify what you want to work towards so that you can know parts that need improvement internally.

This comes from being intentional and informed of the action you need to take to get there.

Here are habits that will make you glow internally:

• Prioritize what brings that will make you glow internally.

From experiences that connect to your core values and what makes you who you are, joy is experienced on the internal level.

Making time for the things you love brings your life and uplifts your entire being.

• Go outside and connect to nature

One thing about me, I love taking long walks.

I love feeling that natural therapy which makes me wonder at the complex simplicity of nature and takes me away from reality.

Take time to be outdoors and experience or cool air on your skin.

It could be a daily walk, a weekend hike or sitting outside in the breeze.

• Having regular, open and honest conversations

If you could imagine the number of times I felt a certain way about something and I deeply needed to say the truth but I held it, they were certainly many.

That feeling intensified me physically, emotionally and mentally.

We often feel that and sometimes stepping out of our comfort zone to talk about this is important since it processes our emotions and standing in our truth.

If this is a bit hard for you give yourself some time. Get whatever you are feeling on to a piece of paper so that it doesn't remain trapped to our body.

• Say no when you actually want to

The only way we can honour ourselves is by being honest.

If you aren't comfortable with something for your sake and happiness please say no

It is an act of self love and improvement to act on the truth.

Being selective with your energy leads to the fact that you can be much more intentional about when and where you do use it.

• Create and see boundaries for yourself

This needs you to identify what you are needing and act on it so that you can have time and energy you need to take care of yourself

Always protect your space.

• Change your self talk and inner dialogue.

I can't lie I do struggle with this but I came to learn that your body will always believe what you tell it.

Have self compassion when you look at the mirror instead of criticizing yourself.

Get curious and open up to the potential that lies in your opportunity instead of criticizing yourself.

Soften your relationship with yourself instead of holding yourself back.

• Address your emotions when they arise.

Emotions are normal and it's okay to allow yourself to feel them.

When we push our emotions down hoping that it goes away but it doesn't.

They always hide and grow to the moment you bubble up again making it hard to handle and end up making bad decisions.

Treat your emotions as a message. Get curious about what they want to tell you, where you need to do to send them away.

• Practice gratitude daily

Every night before I close my day by creating a gratitude list even if I just survived that day.

Identifying and recognizing few things you are grateful for brings your energy to a positive mindset. You actually get to identify the progress you are making.

Develop a regular gratitude practice. It could be in the morning, after or evening depending with what works for you.

• Prioritize time for frequent reflection.

Sometimes we get so self driven about our goals we forget to celebrate accomplishments you made during the journey.

Setting aside time regularly for this helps is to slow down, stay present and acknowledge the positive things in our lives.

You can have a daily reflection at the end of the day about what went well and what you can do better.

Remember to celebrate your wins.