Motivation for Change in the New Year: My Current Favorites

Y’all, I have been on a high of motivation. I started this blog in 2015 and had such dedication and diligence in creating content for it for a long while until life got complicated. I stepped away to care for my own shit and in that time really let this go. I’m feeling more ready to take the reins again and share more with y’all.

As I get back into the content-creating saddle, I wanted to share some of the most inspirational spaces for my year starting off.

Some Motivation for 2020

Goldmine and Coco

Felicia is the real deal. I got to room with her at the SGS New York Planner Conference and I admire her INCREDIBLE confidence in her calling, her choices, and process. She is a fierce momma and CEO of her own planner business and works her ass off. Watching her kill it consistently is such a motivation for me.

The Financial Diet (YouTube)

Specifically loving this video. If you’ve been wanting some real and realistic talk about money and getting your life together in general, I cannot recommend this channel enough. Chelsea is hilarious and knows her shit – and makes getting your money in line seem possible (and maybe… fun?!). I appreciate that she doesn’t just tell you to “skip the latte” but goes into personal choice and acknowledging the realities of the systems we live in that can make money difficult.

“How to Survive 2020” – Hasan Minhaj

First, I LOVE Hasan. If I could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, I think it would be him. As someone who is overwhelmed by so much of the news and current events, Hasan gives a much needed pep talk for how we can keep resisting and thriving in 2020 with humor and realness. And if you haven’t watched his segment “Deep Cuts”  or comedy special, Homecoming King, DOOOO IT.

Thomas Frank (YouTube)

A video from his channel auto-played and I was hooked. He talks about a lot of things from productivity, concrete focus tips, helpful apps, habits, to battling burnout. He is well-researched and is very succinct, which I appreciate. I do think he has room to acknowledge some of the various barriers to being productive and the systems that we are beholden to, but still really motivating to listen to for me.

“Don’t dwell too long on the mistakes you’ve made; you will miss the lessons you were intended to learn.” – FR

This is the incredible quote I read from my friend’s New Year’s reflections. As someone who has been overthinking and feeling stuck, this was such a refreshing read. I have made a lot of choices that I can interpret as lessons or as mistakes and have dwelled on the envy, regret, blah blah blah for too long! Time to see how I can use that information to make the next step better.

Tiny Changes, Big Results (James Clear and Matt D’Avella)

“You don’t rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.”  “A measure ceases to be a measure when it becomes a target.” These are some of the gems of this video as they talk about habit building and how our systems are the things that make our successes and livelihoods a reality. Maybe I’m just ready to hear that now, but in the season of Goal Setting, this was an important distinction for me to hear about how I can specifically look at how I can strengthen and set my systems rather than necessarily focusing on the outcome. Also, peep that framed photo of 90’s The Rock in the background behind James’ head LOL.

The Witcher (Netflix TV series)

Idk how you could have missed it, but if you love fantasy and Henry Cavill you’re going to need to watch this incredible series. It’s 8 episode based on a fantasy book, which inspired a video game (which has a huge fanbase) and now this series. Henry Cavill is a huge nerd and loves the games, so he is passionate about the character and frankly, he is v nice to look at. If you loved Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, strap in and tOsS a CoIn To YoUr WiTcHeR!!

Little Women (2019 Movie)

I have never read the book or watched any of the adaptations, and I left without my breath. This movie was probably well-timed in my life and the actors were absolutely incredible, the script was engrossing, and I was immersed. I am an Emma Watson fan but damn those other actresses may have blown her out of the water on this one.

#100DaysCraftWithYourStash (Instagram Challenge)

So if you’re already doing a #nospend challenge this month, @crafticland is hosting this challenge to encourage all of us to make the most of what we already own. If you’re like me and am realizing how much my personal stationery and craft habit has impacted this earth, join me in committing to using my own stash up before buying too many other new things!

What’s motivating you these days? Anything else I should add to my list?