We all aspire to become the most radiant version of ourselves. We want our inner soul to shine through our smiles and eyes, to be able to accomplish all the goals we set out for ourselves, to use our radiance to be a light for others who are struggling. And though it may sound like an unfeasible mission, it’s certainly possible to work and become this radiant feminine that you’ve always wanted to be.
But you never just stumble into becoming the best version of yourself. It takes time, patience, mistakes, and — most importantly — action. This tier of self-actualization, so to speak, is rare for humans to achieve. But it’s important to remember that recognizing this best version of yourself should be explicitly your vision, and not anyone else. There are no secret tricks or quick fixes to becoming this enlighted person. However, we have a few tips to successfully begin blossoming into the radiant version of yourself without facing massive burnout.
Move Your Body
A healthy body is the first step to a healthy mind and soul. And the best way to get fit? Moving, of course! Exercise is the best way to prioritize your health when you have a million responsibilities throughout the day. As you get older, your body starts to crave physical activity. Most activities tend to be a little physically straining, so we must find creative ways to incorporate movement within the day, especially when we feel as though we don’t have time.
Doctors suggest that women need approximately 150 minutes of movement per week. While that number seems high, we’ve successfully hit that number when we find creative ways to incorporate exercise into your day. 150 minutes can look like: two intense peloton rides per week, three tennis lessons per week, a 20-minute walk every day, or two and a half Salsa lessons per week. Christina Rivera and Maggie Troup, female Cofounders of California-based company Matchcanna, suggest finding a new activity or hobby to keep things exciting. “Our advice? Find new activities or hobbies to keep things exciting. Invite your friends so that they can hold you accountable, and don’t forget to make it fun. Need a little extra motivation?” said Rivera. “CBD can help! Ingesting CBD has been shown to help boost energy levels and keep you motivated and energized for the day.”
Be Present in Nature
One of the best means of getting exercise is by being outside and spending time in nature. Many energy healers believe that the act of ground helps reaffirm the connection between nature’s spirit and the body. Romance author Heidi Hutchinson says that being out in nature lowers stress in our bodies and increases our oxytocin, aka makes us happy. “Doing this allows us to connect to the world we live in,” she said. “Even ten minutes a day can have a lasting impact on your thoughts and emotions. “
Reiki practitioner and intuitive wholistic life coach Jacarina Soto asserts that being present is a key to mental, physical, and spiritual health. “Our minds are jumping back and forth from past to future but never quite fully present in the present,” said Soto. “By bringing all of your awareness into your present moment, you will feel more grounded, whether it’s cooking dinner and taking in all different smells and the sizzling in the pan to driving into work and taking in the scenery around you. This practice allows you to feel connected to those around you.”
Trust Your Inner Wisdom
To ensure your mental state is where it needs to be, you must continually feed your brain optimism and positivity. That age-old saying that “If it doesn’t feel right, it’s not?” Yes, that is your intuitive gut, and you should always be listening to that. Gordana Jakopcevic, a Feminine Leadership Mentor and Women’s Sexuality Coach, knows that listening to her heart instead of the mind, learning to trust and feel her body, has been a game-changer within her business and life. “When we are constantly disconnecting from our emotions, we are stifling our creativity and flow,” she said.
Additionally, if you don’t trust yourself internally, your innate trust for others will not be there. You will also run the risk of others looking at you and judging your decisions. Looking within at your inner voice is the best guidance when making decisions for yourself and your choices. Stop and take a breath whenever you need a minute to figure out if what you’re doing is right for you. Soto believes our breath is our biggest and easiest tool to help us reduce stress levels and refocus the mind. “The goal is not to avoid thinking. Instead, witness the thought and let it go,” she said. Once we can clear our minds, our inner wisdom will come through with exactly what we need to feel our most radiant.
Photo: Alexander Krivitskiy on Unsplash
Give Yourself Rest
Sleep is such an integral part of resetting our body and mind. It’s the body’s way of relaxing and getting the energy they need for the next day. Time and time again, we are told how the body needs sleep. Rivera believes that deep, restful sleep can often feel elusive. The way she achieves this is by being consistent, nixing the stimulants, and creating an ambiance to provide you a calming environment to rest your head. When we get a good night’s sleep, we’ll feel refreshed and ready to take on a new day. Hutchinson believes that everyone should unplug from the internet to help regulate emotions and lower stress. Not only does sleep mean giving the body rest, but working on being present with the people in your life. The pressure of avoidance builds in the body and makes it more challenging to do things you love. You give yourself to rest by taking away those stresses.
Allow More Pleasure In
Pleasure is sometimes disregarded because, as humans, we choose to favor work. “The way out of fear, self-doubt, or a lack of confidence is connecting to your pleasure, your joy, and what your heart truly desires,” said Jakopcevic.
To figure out what makes you happy, you need to manage the chaos. Often, our pleasure is overlooked and is put on the back burner. Sometimes we feel the need to take on every little task, which can drown us in stress and responsibility. However, as Rivera explained, healthy habits beget healthy habits and, while these tiny steps seem simple, they’re the best way to avoid dis-ease and live a happier and healthier life.
Photo: Alexander Krivitskiy on Unsplash
And while the concepts of pleasure and fun are individual to each of us, we must find what genuinely makes us happy. For example, instead of socializing and drinking, Soto will think back to her childhood, fondly remembering playing with others on the playground at recess. For her, it’s discovering a former love of art and “exploring and tapping into her creativity in new ways.” Pick up an old hobby you loved that fell to the wayside and see if you can rediscover a new inspiration.
The most critical task in life is to take care of yourself—and while it may start physically, it transcends emotional and spiritual boundaries as well. Only by focusing on each of these elements can you eventually evolve into the radiant human you’ve dreamed of.
