5 Ways to Become Your Best Self in 2018

2018 is a brand-new year, and while I haven't actually made any resolutions for 2018, I am committed and determined to continue the path of self-improvement I began shortly after my divorce in 2015. It's been a very long, rough and slow-going road, but I can honestly say that I came into 2018 in a much better place than I did last year, or the year before...you get the point! A close friend once told me, "Taking care of yourself is exhausting work," and I remind myself of this whenever I realize that I'm lacking in the self-care department. So much work goes into creating a happy, healthy life, but it is 100% worth it - and I'm going to give you a few pointers to help you on your journey to your best self too! These 5 Ways to Become Your Best Self in 2018 are things that may take time and effort, but they will absolutely, positively change your life. I don't think I could have had a better assignment for my first sponsored post this year (this is a sponsored campaign on behalf of Tropicana Essentials® Probiotics, but 100% true life, guys).

5 Ways to Become Your Best Self in 2018

Take Care of Your Gut Health

Part of becoming a happier person in general is becoming a person who FEELS GOOD physically. I have a dear friend who suffered from a lot of health issues, and she changed her diet...to become a vegan! I'm not saying that you have to go that far, but there are dietary things you can do to help you feel better every day. Believe me, it's easier to have a fantastic day when you wake up feeling good! Take Tropicana Essentials® Probiotics as an example; you can make a huge change in your gut health simply by having a glass each morning to start your day.

I am sure we all know how necessary probiotics are, and you'll be happy to know that Tropicana Essentials® Probiotics is a 100% juice with no added sugar or artificial flavors but also has probiotics - with a billion live and active cultures in every eight-ounce serving, as well as an entire day's worth of Vitamin C! This is one simple way to start taking better care of yourself.

The rest is simple: drink more water, cut out the junk from your diet, indulge in moderation - you know the drill! Eat good food and you'll feel good too!

Take Good Care of Your Body Physically 

I've always been a really lazy person, and the saying is true that the lazier you are, the lazier you feel. While I will never be a gym person, I love being outdoors and doing physical activities like walking, swimming, bike riding and my very favorite: kayaking! When you get your body moving, you're in better shape physically, you have more energy and you just feel better!

I went on a fitness voyage last fall and did yoga for the first time and I totally fell in love with it! It's a great way to clear your mind, center yourself AND get fit.

I swear, I came back from that 3 week trip to Europe and I felt like a brand new woman! My legs were so strong and toned from the exercise and I was a sun-kissed goddess!

Which brings me to my next point...

Find Something that Makes You Happy

I found during my healing over my divorce that while I certainly had hobbies and enjoyed travel while I was married, there were many things I never embraced...and I've begun changing that. I really love to travel and explore different cultures, and I am a TOTAL dork when it comes to history. Traveling makes me so happy! I do it as often as I can, but I am selective about when and where I go. I never want to "waste" money on a trip that isn't going to do something to enrich my life and fill my soul.

I really love Greece - it's one of my favorite places to travel to...so I made sure when the opportunity to travel to Greece in May came along, I took it! The flights were cheap and I really wanted to spend Mother's Day with Angeline, so I made it happen.

Those are memories that we will always cherish, and when times are hard, those moments together walking through the Acropolis is something that brings a smile to my face - as well as hers! She's growing up so fast, and now that she's 20, working full time and living her own life, these mother-daughter trips are more important to us than ever before!

Spend Time with People You LOVE - That Love You Back

I know that life can get really busy, between raising families, working, pets, activities - there are only so many hours in the day to get it all done. But if my divorce has taught me anything, it is the importance of maintaining your relationships with the people you care about. Life is so much brighter when it's full of love and laughter, and that is what my friends and I share. We take trips together, we have dinners together, we meet for coffee - we make time for each other, because at the end of the day, life can be a very lonely place if you don't have friends.

The last, but certainly not least important of 5 Ways to Become Your Best Self in 2018 is to find something that you believe in.

Find Something That You Believe In

I was raised religious, but I am not exactly religious now - but I am a huge believer in the power of love and the Universe. I am a totally a big hippy and while I haven't spoken publicly about that yet online, most of my friends know that I am into Metaphysical Spirituality. I think that while religion isn't necessary for being happy in life, finding something to believe in, in general, helps gives us purpose and direction. Maybe for you, it's religion. Maybe it's some sort of social activism, politics, maybe it's the Peace Corps!

For me, it's learning to that there is a great big world out there, and it's about so much more than little old me.

I hope that these 5 Ways to Become Your Best Self in 2018 are helpful to you in some way - or hopefully in all ways! At the very least, go to your local Walmart and check out Tropicana Essentials® Probiotics juices for yourself! I've made the Tropicana Essentials® Probiotics Pineapple Mango a part of my morning routine and I am a big fan!

Tropicana Essentials® Probiotics is available in 32 oz bottles next to the other refrigerated juices at Walmart, and are available in Pineapple Mango, Strawberry Banana and Peach Passion.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tropicana Essentials® Probiotics.