How to Glow Up in 12 Months

Can you believe it? We’re less than 3 months away from 2024 (**scream-cry-laugh). A year seems to fly by when you get older, but you can come out of it feeling like a different person if you’ve been continuously working on yourself. Hardships bleed into gratitude as you reflect on all the things you’ve been able to overcome; to survive.

It’s safe to say, New Year resolutions are a little outdated. The whole concept that you only make ‘goals’ one day out of the year is the least reinforcing thing you can do for your personal growth. How likely do those promises pile up like dust into the coming months? According to Forbes, 80% of people abandon their New Year resolutions by… February!!

FACT: When you’re committed to a life of growth and well-being, every day is an opportunity to hit personal goals and reflect on how you’re doing. They don’t have to be large goals, like saving up for a vacation or hitting X amount in your business. It’s very unlikely those goals can be achieved in a day, nevertheless a week, or even years. The important thing here is we set core priorities every day and we remain honest with ourselves throughout the process.

The best way to level up is by being proactive every single day. Here are my top ten tips on how you can level up this year, and GLOW the eff up.

If you’re struggling with feeling like you’re not moving ahead in life, or you just want to feel a long-lasting feeling of vitality – this post is for you.

1/ Check in on how you’re doing every day

It seems simple, but implementing a regular check-in routine is paramount for your long-term personal growth. Why? It allows us to be completely honest and present with ourselves at least once a day. It only takes 5 minutes, but over time it allows you to track how you’re feeling and doing.

I was gifted a tracking and gratitude journal by Ryve and have been using it ever since! I love how it’s super simple and tackles all the areas of a great reflection practice.

1. Write one positive affirmation for the day
2. Three must-dos
3. One thing I am grateful for

EOD

1. One thing that made me happy
2. One thing that could have gone better.

I want to go over why these components are important. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say this: I don’t always wake up as a chipper camper. Usually groggy, moody, and like “Ugh I want more sleep.” But making myself write down something positive – or manifesting what the day ahead will look like elevates my mood a bit. Some examples of things I write:

• You are more powerful than you’d imagine.
• Every step you take is a step in the right direction.
• Perception is reality.

Frankly, I direct affirmations in the third person because I don’t believe in self-flattery. I’m not going to say I’m the best, or I am kind, or I am pretty. I almost always refer to myself in the third person but that’s just what feels the most comfortable for me.

The second step of elevation is gratitude. It forces you to rack your brain for something you’re grateful for. I try to be as specific as possible.

For example instead of I’m grateful I’m healthy.

I say something like, “I’m grateful I have the energy and ability to work out twice a day.”

The third step is listing out your priorities for the day. This step may seem like it just keeps you on track with what you need to accomplish, but it’s actually a guise for positive self-reinforcement. I don’t know about you, but we go through our twelve hours of being awake doing a lot we don’t even think about. I mean, much of it’s on autopilot. So taking a few minutes to write down the important tasks allows me to come back to it and give myself a mental pat on the back for accomplishing something today – as little as “made it to the gym.”

Over time, the more we’re able to meet our own expectations, the more confident and self-assured we can be.

The final step occurs near the end of the day. You reflect on one thing that made you happy. This is even more specific than gratitude; it’s a specific moment during the day that makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Emotions come and go, and it’s easy to forget the little moments once they pass. This reflection allows you to tap into that emotion once again, and end your day with something positive to think about. 

The last step is likely the most important, but hardest step. It requires putting your ego aside and reflecting on what could have gone better. 

For me, this is often missed tasks, lack of productivity during certain periods, or reactiveness towards someone or a situation. This step is crucial because we cannot become better people unless we identify our weaknesses. Our weaknesses show up in the day-to-day, and in our habits.

Make sure you don’t skip this step if you really want to glow up.

2/ Focus on building one skill.

Pick one skill that would be beneficial for your career and dive into it. Really take the time to study and apply that skill, and do this consistently for a year. When you start to get better and you can see physical results, this will positively reinforce your self-image and confidence. Plus, you can use that skill to level up your career & hopefully increase your income. The benefit of building a new skill is not limited to financial gain, but it sure doesn’t hurt. More financial flexibility means you can pursue more hobbies, and self-care rituals, and have a wider range of options for career choices in the future,

3/ Raise your standards in dating.

Protect your time and energy like it’s sacred. Once you start doing this, you will naturally filter out time-wasters and people who will inhibit your growth in life. Everyone has different needs when it comes to finding a partner. All cards on the table, I need a man who’s protective, providing, and trustworthy. And yes, that means having strong ambitions, having money in the bank, and *wanting* to provide for me.

As much as I love chasing my career goals, I also need a man who can inspire me to level up every day and share common lifestyle goals as I do. No bums allowed.

Total transparency: The life and mindset I have today wouldn’t be possible without my man. We share this beautiful life together, and I couldn’t be more thankful. He’s equipped me with the tools to show up at my best every day. I will never claim everything I have or have achieved is self-made; because my partner has played a huge role in that.

4/Start respecting yourself more by setting boundaries.

Saying no more often increases the value of your yes. Whether it’s in relationships, work, or your personal life, become the type of person that lives by a few, but core priorities. Try your best not to deviate from them. When you protect your priorities, you’re more likely to live more aligned with your true values. The more you live in your truth, the greater satisfaction you’ll feel with yourself and with life in general, despite what everyone else is doing. On the contrary, saying yes to many obligations that stray you further away from your values will lead to this knotted feeling of anxiety and tension. It really takes discipline to say no, but once you get better at it, you’ll find yourself in a place with peace, stability, and vitality in your life. 

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Read Next: How to Stop Being a Yes Girl- 4 Relationship Things You Need to Stop Doing

5/ Invest in higher quality things.

Stop buying cheap things. Start buying less, but higher-value things that will enhance your perception of yourself. People can talk shit about designer goods all they want, but at the end of the day, a massive shift occurs in how you see yourself based on whether you’re wearing H&M or Prada. One screams “Settling for average” and the other says “elevated” and “luxurious.” Ask yourself, if money wasn’t a factor, which one would you rather wear? 

Buying designer rarely has to do with quality; people buy designer because there’s a sense of timeless worth that comes with that product. This is what is referred to as a “Veblen good” where high prices don’t affect a good’s popularity. That means it’s technically an asset you can resell at a later time for a decent price. We’ve all seen the crazy price increases of Chanel and Dior bags throughout the years. Not all people buy designer to show off to others. But many actually buy designer to prove to themselves that not only can they afford it; but they anticipate elevating their income even further in the future. Abundant mindset for the win.

Remember, there’s no such thing as cheap “good quality.”

Designer doesn’t always have to be the big names – Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Dior. It can be more lowkey, lesser-known brands (from a wide range of countries) that prioritize excellent craftsmanship. Do your research on the market because you are definitely not subjected to mainstream designer brands. Some of my favorite countries to buy things from are Japan, Taiwan, Italy, Spain, and France. Technology from Japan or the USA. You can find out where major designer brands source their material from – and look for smaller companies that source from the same regions, but do not have that classic designer slap on. You’ll be surprised that you can find similar quality leather goods at $500, rather than upward of $3000.

If you don’t have the financial means to afford designer yet, I totally get it. I don’t have the extra cash sitting around to buy a $3000 bag either. So, I start with accessories – perhaps look into jewelry, wallets, sunglasses…etc. What’s something you already use frequently in your life that could use an upgrade? Start there and work your way up to timeless investment pieces. Or if designer is completely out of the question; look at the places you purchase from – perhaps it’s a lot of fast fashion in your wardrobe. Start scoping out what the “next level” up is. Perhap it’s just switching to locally made, sustainably sourced items. I’m not recommending you go and splurge on a whim, but make a plan and save for this like an actual investment. If you want to learn how I afford higher-end items on a budget, please check out this article.

6/ Work out 3-5x a week

Let’s be real, there is no glow-up WITHOUT the GLOW UP. Before you go and spend a grand on treatments, brows, and chemical peels, start with what you have the most control over – your body.

Get moving. Engage in some type of exercise you actually enjoy, because it will be more sustainable that way. Physical exercise has copious benefits, including mental benefits like increased self-esteem and relief from anxiety or sadness. The physical benefits include better sleep, increased energy, increased muscle tone, and a lower propensity to gain excess weight. Life gets busy and it’s easy to become a desk sloth, but it’s not the best thing for your waistline. If you’re not used to working out at all, it’s going to be a real adjustment in the beginning— meaning you’re in for a kick. Acknowledge that it’s supposed to be hard because you’re training a relatively untrained part of your body. Embrace the temporary discomfort and know that it does get easier. You might even find yourself hooked on this new routine after a couple of weeks. The brain is great at forming new neural pathways that make something that used to be difficult, easy and enjoyable. 

You’ll start noticing results in a few months if you’re consistent in keeping active. I personally see the most results from running and weight training. If you want to learn more about my routine to stay fit, check out this post HERE. Other than looking h-a-w-t-, you’ll begin to notice that you have more energy throughout the day, and that contributes to you being a more enthusiastic, motivated, and positive person to be around. Outer glow + inner glow = GLOW UP.

7/ Build up your savings and investments.

There’s nothing that increases a person’s confidence than financial confidence. Knowing that you’re good on your own and you’re approaching money with your future self in mind, is something that is going to skyrocket your own self-belief. I think this is especially crucial for women because we’ve been used to having our money managed by husbands and fathers until recent decades. I recommend dollar-cost averaging, meaning you’re investing consistent allocations of money into a diversified portfolio of stocks from different sectors. This is a safer way to invest as you’re not letting your investment decisions be guided by your emotions or market conditions. You’re investing in the market both during the dips and in the highs, coming out with a more balanced return.

With savings, I say give yourself a percentage based on your lifestyle needs and income. To learn how to make your own financial plan READ HERE. Consistently put that % of money away with each paycheque and treat it like a bill. This is not something you’re going to “pass over one time” to go to that birthday dinner. This is a like a contract you make with yourself, for your future self.

This is how you start stacking hard-earned cash- and it piles up fast.

8/ Ask for a raise.

As I’m coming up on my year at my current company, the thought of a raise certainly came to mind. As you may know, it’s not getting any cheaper to live and I’ve felt I’ve more than proved myself in terms of the quality and quantity of my work. I had no idea what number to ask for, but I knew I wasn’t going to be too greedy. I really just wanted enough to cover some additional expenses I was expecting to incur fairly soon.

I worked out two numbers in my mind. I had an ideal number and a number I was willing to settle for. I then researched what an adequate raise was in North America, and according to Indeed, this was 3-5% of your current annual salary. These percentages matched on par with what I was looking for. My thought process is if a medium-sized company that has good financials and revenue is not willing to up your salary by 3%, it’s probably not the best company to stay at.

9/ Do something you’ve always been afraid to do.

No dream has ever been accomplished, in your comfort zone. It’s scary to pursue something that most won’t – but success often lies at the end of the road less traveled. I was scared shitless right before my month-long solo trip to Europe out of college- that trip ended up being absolutely life-changing. 

It’s terrifying to put your heart into something that might never work- whether that’s love or moving to a new city. But as soon as you start to see your ‘failures’ as tests, and unlike in school where F means F; in actual life, you can turn an L into an opportunity to get better. 

Overcoming a fear provides probably the greatest lift in confidence than anything else I’ve seen. It’s retraining your brain to do something it thought it couldn’t do prior. It’s reengineering your brain to believe.

10/ Start learning to have tough conversations.

Much of what we get out of life is what we choose to tolerate. Avoid having difficult conversations, and you’ll miss out on invaluable potential.

The sooner you’re able to address issues that are bothering you at home or at work; the more likely these issues can be resolved. I’m not saying every issue can be resolved with a conversation, but you’ll be pressed to hear that your worst-case scenario isn’t always as bad as you think it is. Better to try than to go through life with resentfulness, which is what happens over time when you settle for less than you think you deserve. It’s usually less costly for humans to compromise than to go through a battle. And If you always feel like you’re walking on eggshells, maybe you’re not in the right environment at all.

Conclusion

When people think of glowing up – they usually think about expensive makeovers and wardrobe updates. Although all that stuff can help you look physically sharper and better for the gram, it doesn’t do much to change what’s on the inside. It’s your ATTITUDE and SELF BELIEF and OUTLOOK on life that really supercharges the glow up process. 

If you believe you’re broke, you’re always going to have a broke and scarce mindset.

If you don’t believe in yourself, you’re not going to go after bigger and better opportunities.

If you keep settling for the wrong type of partner, you’re always going to compromise your values and yourself for others.

By taking the wrong turn, you can chip away at your confidence rather than add to it.

Confidence is a powerful thing and more women need to embrace the fact that we could all use a bit more of it. Not in a narcissistic way, but in a way that allows us to speak up for ourselves and go after our biggest and wildest dreams.

Glowing up is so much more than what potions and lotions you can put on your skin; it’s what you choose to feed yourself every day. It’s the difference between writing one positive affirmation in the morning rather than condemning the softness, the wrinkle, or the sunspots in the mirror.

It’s choosing a more nutrient-dense option for lunch over chips and coffee, and going to the gym even when you don’t feel like it that day.

Glowing up is not easy- it’s a hard-earned practice that is built consistently and slowly over time, until you peel back the layers of the onion and feel like a different person. It’s the sigh of relief in the morning while you sip your coffee and daydream out the window; knowing that life is good and you’ve made it when you didn’t think you could.

Rooting for your success,