We finally made it! 2020 is coming to a close, and it was certainly a ride. Let’s close the books on this historic year by taking a moment to appreciate some of the GOOD things that happened. Maybe you spent more time with family or developed a hobby while you spent so much time at home? Did you develop your taste in music, start a garden, or even make an unexpected but welcome career change?
For us, launching our US site in 2020 was a pretty big deal – we’re definitely happy about that! And thanks to your support, the launch and reception of our most innovative product ever – Barely Zero – was a huge success. We couldn’t have done it without our customers’ support, so thank you for being a part of that and for joining us in our first year! (Oh, and read to the end if you want an inside look at what we'll be doing early next year.)
Of course, it’s also okay to have not achieved much this year too. It was tough for many who had their health affected, lost jobs, and even lost loved ones. We’re thankful for our successes and proud of yours, regardless of how small. Even if your greatest success was just making it to the end of the year with us, bravo! But please don’t be too hard on yourself - 2020 has affected everyone differently.
Let's look forward to 2021 and work to make it a better year.
“Well, 2020 has already set a low bar,” you might say. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean 2021 will automatically be better - we have to work to make it better! One way we can try to make 2021 (or any year!) better is a good New Year’s Resolution.
Resolutions don’t always have to be the typical “lose X pounds” or “save X dollars." Those are good if you feel they’re the right thing for you – which is ultimately the key. “Right for you.” Most of the time, resolutions aren't right for us because we're not the ones actually making them. They don’t work out because we set too high a bar or have unrealistic expectations for ourselves. Too often, people will make a wish on New Year’s Eve and then beat themselves up for not sticking to it just a couple of months later.
Let’s not do that! You know by now that NEIWAI’s philosophy is all about loving and accepting yourself. Let’s talk about some more positive ways you can make your 2021 a better year!
First, know that it’s possible to love and accept yourself as you are, while also wanting to better yourself in the future. Resolutions shouldn’t be about demeaning or demoralizing yourself for who you are right now or what you’ve been doing/haven’t been doing (especially in a year like this!). A good New Year’s Resolution should start by reflecting on where you are now as a person. Then, accept that, where ever you are – for better or worse – you’ve got to this point through a lot of hard work. Finally, recognize that there’s always room to grow. Choose an aspect that you'd like to work on and make a plan to get to where you want to be. Voila! You've taken an exercise in self-love and set yourself on a path of growth.
But remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. When you make your plan, keep it manageable - small steps that you can take every day toward the person you want to be!
For your consideration: ten ideas for 2021 growth!
We can’t tell you what your New Year’s Resolution should be – for some it’s lighthearted, for others it’s solemn, but it will be deeply personal either way if you follow our steps above! But we can make some suggestions. Here are some New Year’s Resolutions to consider that are fun, growth-oriented, and that you can easily adapt to your own needs.
1. Watch a movie you’ve never seen every week – immerse yourself in pop culture this year and catch up on some of the best hits in cinema!
2. Read ten new books this year – keeping up on reading is hard these days, so consider making it a resolution. It doesn’t have to be ten - set a goal that’s both possible and challenging!
3. Visit every park within five miles of your home – who doesn’t like a short walk on a nice day? This resolution is a gentle way to get in some exercise and get to know your town a bit better! Who knows, you might find a new picnic spot!
4. Listen to a new album every week – see how your music taste develops and where it takes you!
5. Try a meditation routine. The mental health benefits aside, meditation is a great way to anchor yourself and take control of your day each morning. You could start with guided meditations (there are plenty of apps for these) or the tried and true “sitting quietly and focusing on your breath.”
6. Pick up a new hobby – ever wanted to be a better cook, write poetry, or birdwatch? Get into something new in 2021! Hobbies are great ways to spend your free time (and are usually a bit more constructive and rewarding than watching TV or scrolling through social media).
7. Find a fitness plan that’s right for you. This doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym or morning jogs! Everyone’s needs are different, and with a little introspection, you’ll know yours – finding the right kind of exercise is great for staying healthy!
8. Learn a language! There are so many free ways to learn the basics of a new language – and who knows what doors it might open? The world is a diverse and varied place, and you’ll be able to access a little more of it with just a few lessons a week!
9. Visit a new restaurant in your city every month. Break free from routine and try new places!
10. Upgrade your wardrobe! You could start small, like replacing your old bras & underwear with new, comfier ones made with better fabrics. Okay, maybe we’re biased, but don’t underestimate the improvement in quality of life when you invest in good clothes!
For those of you who are planning to set a fitness goal (number 7 in the list above), we're running a special promotion for the entire month of January! When you spend $100 in our Active collection you'll earn a $30 gift card. Stock up on all the leggings and sports bras you need for the entire year, and look good while you work toward making yourself feel better!
We hope that this short guide will help you take a more constructive approach to your 2021 resolution (and even future years!). Thank you for reading - and as we bid 2020 adieu and welcome 2021, NEIWAI wishes you a happy, healthy New Year! See you in 2021!
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