8 WAYS TO LEVEL UP IN 2021

For some of us, 2020 really put a huge damper on our goals, plans, and overall mental (and possibly physical) wellness. But this year, it's all about growing out of that and taking charge of the things we do have control of—ourselves. We can still become the people we want to become through focus and commitment to our lives, our health, and the betterment of our lifestyle. Make 2021 the year you "level up."

Leveling up is a trending term that means improvement, getting ahead, and moving forward. Kind of like in a video game when you reach a new level—sure, there are still obstacles and things you need to accomplish (but that's what makes it fun), but now you're a bit stronger, maybe there are new features and things you didn't have in the past levels, now you are closer to winning the game. Level up in 2021. It's time, no matter where this year takes us, to be strong and push forward. And do it for YOU.

Here are 8 ways you can level up in 2021 starting now:


Ditch the Bad Habits
It's hard and a little unfair to determine what a bad habit is for each individual person, who am I to tell you something is bad for you? But YOU know the habits that are bad for you because you've been telling yourself to kick that habit for a while now. Whether that bad habit for you is something financial, health-conscious, social, or personal, do something about it this time (or don't do it if that's all it takes). And place something that is meaningful and healthy for you in its place. My bad habit: mindlessly scrolling through social media until the wee hours of the morning and not waking up early to get my day started. The fix: I set an alarm on my phone to go off when it's time for me to go to bed. When that alarm goes off, it's time to put my phone down and go to sleep. So now, instead of scrolling through a bunch of news feeds and exaggerated pictures before I go to sleep, I chose a great book and will read that until my bedtime alarm goes off.

Let Go of Toxic People/Situations
It's a biggie, I know. And I also know it's not a simple task, especially if that toxic person is family or integrated into your everyday life. Think about it this way, if this person makes you feel terrible, they give you anxiety, they don't support you, they put you down, they are ungrateful of your time/love/friendship, or take advantage of you, what do you have to lose by taking a step back from them? So do your best to minimize the energy this person takes up in your life. Whether that means not being around them anymore, not contacting them, or just giving into their presence when they are around, do what you can to let go of them. Even if you can't completely write them off (because I know that sometimes that's not possible), redirect your focus when you're around them, focus on something that is positive to you, remind yourself the next time you're around them how you feel and that you need to let go. It's a practice but over time, you will have created space for yourself to heal.

Find Your Strengths and Work With Them
Everyone is good at something. If you know what that is, even better. This year, pay attention to what your strengths are and from there, dive deeper into how you can use those strengths to your advantage. Your strengths are the things you know you excel in. Those things that you do because it makes you feel good, the things you pay attention to, the things you'd do without money or success being the end result. It's like having a superpower. Your strength will lead you to your purpose and the more you work with it, the more you can find ways to be successful and possibly monetize on just by being an expert in that strength. One of my strengths is organizing events/outings/fun times. I just end up being that person no matter what the situation is, even if it's just rounding up friends and getting people together. So when the pandemic hit last year, that changed in a huge way. No more fun tours around the city, special events, and fun outings, so I had to figure out how to engage with people like that. It was a very special opportunity when Naughty Events began using its virtual platform, Naughty Chat, to reach our audience. It gave me a way to once again, organize and host events. Figure out the things that you just do naturally that make you happy, observe why it makes you happy and how you can use that to make it work for you.

Take Your Health Seriously
2020 was a huge health wake-up call. And while wearing masks, staying socially distant, and avoiding large crowds will help keep you away from COVID, there are other measures we need to take to focus on our overall health in general. If there are issues that you know need to be addressed, be sure to do what is necessary to get yourself in the best health possible. See your doctor, eat right, exercise, practice safe sex, and focus on good mental health. Being healthy and active will add more joy and function to your life. How else can you go on fun trips, play with your friends and live life to its fullest?

Dress for Who You Want to Be
I love fashion—let me rephrase this, I love clothing. Meaning, I love to buy clothes I don't need on impulse because, for some subconscious reason, it makes me feel better to do so. And at times I still found myself standing in front of a full closet feeling as though I have nothing to wear. Then the pandemic hit and everyone started working from home, I think I might have stayed in my PJs for a full week before I realized, I feel like shit! I did not feel confident, productive, successful, or sexy and it showed in my work ethic. The power of what you're wearing is so strong. When I say "dress for who you want to be" that doesn't mean wear the latest trends, be up to date on the latest designers and purchase name brand things, that means, look your absolute best at every given chance. Go through your closet and pitch the stuff that doesn't suit you. The stuff that's too young, doesn't fit right, never fit right, you hate the color, or just feels silly to wear, pitch the things that are too worn, dirty, or make you look bad. Isn't it time you choose things that look great on you? That fit your body, flatter your tones and make you feel like an elevated version of yourself? Doesn't matter if you're just at home all day, be a tad bit overdressed than your everyday at-home wear and I am telling you, you will feel it. When you know you look great, you feel great, you do great.

Nurture Your Relationship(s)
In a time of social distancing, nurturing close relationships is key. We are fortunate that this is all happening at a time where technology provides us a variety of ways to get in touch with our contacts. If you want to be closer to your kids, parents, friends, cousins, or whatever relationships you have out there, commit to nurturing that relationship. YOU make the call, write that letter, send the email, create the text. Sure the phone (insert whatever device) works both ways, but that's assuming the other people will make that move and you can't guarantee that. If there is a relationship you want to make stronger, be the bigger person, and make the effort to strengthen that relationship. Once you establish that connection, that person will likely start coming around more—calling, texting, sending pictures, Facetime—because they feel comfortable enough with you to do it. Don't allow the current times to make you drift away from your people, be the glue and make the effort. You won't regret it.

Make Plans
I think part of leveling up, is really curating your life with an even better future in mind. Sure, 2021 is so hard to be positive about because 2020 was so negative and unprecedented, but I refuse to let that stop me from making future plans. I don't want to live a life based on "we'll see." There are places I want to go, things I want to do and places I want to see, if that means committing a little of my own time to research how I can make those things happen in these times, so be it, because I know it will make me happy in the end. If you want to travel this year, do your research, look up prices, guidelines, and everything in between to make it happen. Plan as if life is normal again and adjust to whatever new normalcies are being made. Making plans for the future will give you something to work on in the present.

Focus on Yourself
There's A LOT of information out there. Information is putting it lightly, most of it now is opinion. And you can go down a rabbit hole of sources in any which way you go. We are so overly saturated with our daily news feeds, profiles, videos, advertisements, and information minute by minute that we forget we have minds of our own. At the end of the day, we can only do our best; the rest isn't about us. If you show up to your life every day: you take care of yourself, you make yourself feel good, look good and you do good, you nurture your relationships and you live for a better future, then you've done your absolute best. Don't allow influencers, the news, the media, or anyone to sway you into being something you are not. Don't get caught up in the drama, just focus on being the best version of yourself possible because that in it itself is a huge task! When the going gets tough, remind yourself of your inner project to be your best and ask yourself if this current situation lines up with that goal and move forward.