I believe the most incredible situations happen when you are the least prepared for them to unfold. Mint and chip ice cream is the best flavor in the entire world, and there are very few things that make my insides quite as happy as sleeping in clean sheets.

My family will forever be my answer to the “one thing” on a deserted island question. And if you were to ask me if I had to choose between Biggie or Tupac, you would have to also give me a day of the week. Because Friday’s, it’s always Biggie. Any other day, it’s Tupac.

I guess you could say I believed in positive affirmations, as my life felt like it was a total cream puff. But practicing mindfulness at first felt churchy. like DUH, I’m mindful. My mind is always full. In reality, I would run myself into the ground replaying what ifs, right paths and every other one off worse case scenario. We literally do this DAY IN and DAY OUT completely unaware that we are. It’s insane to me.

After reading quite a few of these personal development books by the great Louise Hay, I figured I’d give this ‘affirmation thing’ a shot. What’s the worst that could happen? At the time, I couldn’t meditate for sh*t and it felt like I somehow couldn’t find a moment to just silence my thoughts. I was 95 MPH ahead thinking about picking the wrong color at my nail appointment, how Botox works and if I left a candle still burning on my bathroom countertop.

The more I would relish in worry, the less I was being present and even more so not enjoying and seeing the little signs in life. Signs can be anything to you, that’s the beauty about them. A butterfly out of no where, the numbers 11:11 on a clock, an unexpected green light, $20 on the ground in a parking garage, or even a compliment from a complete stranger. I LIVE for these signs. They remind me that the chatter in my head is just that…chatter. And I’m the head bitch in charge with the microphone running the show.

I slowly eased into affirmations. I started writing a couple of them on my giant bedroom mirror. I would start simple with what I wanted to work on for that week. Whether it be “I believe in the timing and the process of my life. I am worthy of receiving and giving abundant amounts of love everyday”, you name it— I worked on it. I would wake up with a grateful heart for simple things like being alive, breathing, another day of opportunity, and then repeat these affirmations before I even stepped out of bed to turn the Keurig on. And before I knew it, my mind started to shift into this unf*ckwithable place where I opened my eyes in utter awe that I was here on earth another day.It was the most powerful thing I’ve ever experienced.

I started to feel like I was in a cult (pretty sure my friends thought so too when they would reach into my cabinet for a water glass to see a hot pink sticky note with “you are amazing” written on it) but I didn’t care, because I knew it was a lifestyle change that was going to only move me closer to all the things I’ve ever wanted. And although you may of been a little skeptical like me in the beginning, questioning if chanting sentences really works (it doesn’t work if you don’t mean them btw) try it out, feel a little silly, and see what new doors open.

Here are some tips to help get you into the spirit of loving the hell out of yourself, and affirming all those positive beliefs you have stored in your hippocampus come to fruition.

1. Start small. Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor is getting on the affirmation train and seeing results in an hour. Think about some real things you’d like to work on practicing. “Money is currently on its way to me, the money I do spend comes back multiplied twice”. Say this to yourself 5 times and then tell yourself what a good lookin’ son of a gun you are and be on your merry way. It legit takes 5 minutes max, and you probably have wasted more time on IG trying to find out who your ex’s friends girlfriends cousin is. Your energy is sacred, be sure to put it towards your well being, boo.

2. Practice what you preach. As you begin to chant these affirmations before you have your Honey Nut Cheerios, start implementing it your daily life. Affirmation above: “Money is currently on its way to me” Example: gets a parking ticket (current real life situation) instead of: “What the hell…$42.00 for being two minutes out of my meter time? Those meter Nazi’s have nothing better to do— aren’t there criminals on the streets” alternatively: “ Universe, thank you for providing me a job where I can pay this ticket. I’m so grateful I can pay this ticket without stress.” Bada Bing. That’s the real game changer. Perspective. The universe feels your switch and bam, watch more gifts (not tickets) happen to you. We’re all being tested, are you passing?

3. Believe it. Envision it, cut some quotes out of a magazine that remind you daily of the existence of it, place pictures around your house. Envision yourself living out all your dreams. If saving money to go to Greece with your sexy new Greek boyfriend is at the top of the list, set aside money each month to this excursion, and visualize yourself living, breathing and eating pita and hummus with Fabio over looking Santorini. Sky’s the limit. And do yourself and myself a favor, and don’t worry about the how, just know it’s around the corner as long as you’re working on getting there too. Remember when you use to dream of all the little things you’re currently living right now? Yeah, me too. Let’s take a second to realize that anything you want is yours because you believed it.

There’s something bittersweet about closing out another year.  It’s a sea of reflecting on challenging obstacles we overcame, and at the same time embracing the blank canvas in possibility in the next year on the horizon.  There is no set time to start something new, or changing your thought process. This moment RIGHT NOW is undoubtedly the most beautiful & important one. May the universe always be in your favor, and you wake up in 2019 being your biggest cheerleader.

All the feels,

xx katlyn