Things to love, read, wear & inspire
A change I'm making this year, the book to read if you need help building good habits, a stylish exercise set and boots made for walking
Happy New Year friends!
I hope you’ve had a wonderful start to the year! To seasoned subscribers - thank you for being here and sticking around, and to new faces - welcome & bienvenue! I’m so happy you’re here.
Life was very chaotic for me last year, with more lows than highs and I’ve spent the last few days reflecting on it. I’ve been going through a difficult experience that has been just as taxing on my body as it has my emotions. In the process I dropped the ball on self-care and exercise, and let my fitness slip to almost zero. Other than the odd yoga session at home, I did very little to maintain my physical health. And as I’ve since discovered, no exercise makes Marissa rather miserable.
Admittedly it’s never quite been as I would like it to be; I tend to go through phases where it’s either hell to leather or cold turkey; there’s never been a happy middle ground or consistency. Yet last year I hit a new personal record. Now having taken the time to look back at my year, I can see that the lack of movement really affected me in more ways than one, and as we were promenading towards the beach after a delicious lunch in Honfleur, Normandy on Saturday (a wonderful and welcome escape before ringing in the new year), I made a promise to myself that I would do something about it.
Instead of prepping for a party outfit (we stayed in this year), I spent most of New Year’s Eve googling dance centres in Paris, and at lunchtime today I went to a ballet class. I was a little apprehensive about going and the class wasn’t easy; (I’ve danced only three times in the past ten years and the last time was two years ago), but I’m so glad I went as it felt good to push myself, retrace old steps (literally) and use muscles that I haven’t flexed for a long time (plus it was fun to be reacquainted with the French names that have been ingrained in my mind since I was a child).
And so I’m going to start building time for ballet (along with other dance & exercise classes I have my eye on) into my weekly schedule. The key to doing this successfully (I think), and being consistent about it, is to make sure I carve out time each week for movement; meaning that I have everything booked in before the week begins and then plan my social schedule around it, rather than the other way around, which is where I’ve gone wrong in the past. If it’s already written in my calendar, I’m more likely to do it.
I rarely make resolutions anymore, plus this isn’t something I want to start and then give up two months down the road, as is often the case with ‘resolutions’, but the start of a new year, with the fresh slate that it offers has given me a great excuse (and motivation) to pursue something new. I hope to create a consistent habit that will, little by little, change my life so that I don’t have a repeat of the past year. And I hope it might inspire you to start a new class or hobby. I’ve already ear-marked a couple of local ceramics courses, as besides exercising my body, I need to give my mind a break and distract it for a while with a fun activity. So here’s to looking after ourselves, building good habits and prioritizing our well-being!
I’d love to know what habits or regular exercise you do? Or is there anything new you’re planning to start this year? I’d love to get to know you better, so let me know in the comment section!
A bientôt, Marissa xx
Things to love, read, watch, wear & inspire:
~ If there’s ever a time to read Atomic Habits, now would be it - I saved buying it last year and asked for it for Christmas, so I could dive in come January. I’m very much hoping it helps me stick to those ballet classes.
~ I am little embarrassed to admit that I’ve had the same style of wallet (Comme de Garçons) for 15 years. It’s a lovely wallet, but it’s not overly practical and I can never find the card I want. This Gucci GG style that Victor bought me for Christmas makes me feel organised and grown-up. He did good.
~ Susanne Kaufmann nutrient concentrate serum - a brilliant daily skincare base that I’ve been using recently as it’s packed with aloe vera-derived hyaluronic acid that locks in moisture and niacinamide that rejuvenates cells.
~ These Arket long burgundy boots are stylish and comfy.
~ I started reading Lessons in Chemistry over Christmas and at 90 pages in I’m really enjoying it. I love the pacy writing, the quirky characters and can’t wait to watch the series when I finish.
~ We’re due a cold snap next week, so I have this woollen hat from Arket at the ready.
~ I received this exercise set from Marysia - and while it won’t help me with my steps, it was certainly motivating to wear something stylish whilst doing them.
~ I’ve been wearing this Anémone nailpolish by Manucurist throughout the festive season and will continue to do so, as it’s such a great shade of red, plus the ingredients are natural.
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