Congratulations! You’ve made it through the first half of January! Have your New Year’s Resolutions survived, too? If the answer is no, that’s totally ok. Because this is not another post on “how to stick to your goals this year” or “conquer your cravings!” This is a message about how to feel good and why it is so important.

You see, I believe that feeling good is something we all want. However, we haven’t really been shown how to feel good.

Media has made us believe it’s supposed to look glitzy, glamorous, time consuming and expensive. As a recovering striver and chronic hustler, I’m here to share some good news: feeling good is possible, and it doesn’t have to be any of those things. We also don’t have to sacrifice our ambitions, waste energy, and rely so heavily on discipline and hustle. In fact, at the heart of this new approach is following our energy and feeling good.

I’m not sure about you, but I used to think that feeling good was some sort of luxury. I thought if I was feeling good I wasn’t working hard enough, hustling enough and, therefore, wouldn’t reach my goals. However, this imbalance of constant pushing and overriding inevitably leads to one, oh-so-familiar place: burnout. Relatable?

After repeated cycles of exhaustion and burnout, I started to ask myself: Can I have both? Can I work hard for the things I want and feel good along the way? Can I “get after it” in a way that doesn’t lead to chronic stress, overwhelm, and anxiety? As it turns out: feeling good was the missing piece.

This is what inspired me to re-evaluate my plan of action this year and create a new approach that breaks (or at least tames) the burnout cycle.

We will use what gives us energy (or drains it) as very important feedback. This will act as our inner guide. This is a profound source of wisdom that will point us in the direction of our dreams, allow us to grow forward (without force) while harnessing our energy and enjoying the process. The method below will show you just how to do this.

Are you ready to get into it?

How to Feel Good: The 3 Step Mindful Method

I’ve broken the method down into 3 main parts and I subdivided those parts into actionable “guideposts.” Note: we are not adding anything to our to-do list. The list below are all things that take place every day and by tuning into them we will learn how to optimize that energy because remember: feeling good will be our inner guide. The best of both worlds, right?

(Note: for my skeptical strivers and hustlers out there—hear me out!). Let’s get into it!

MINDFUL METHOD 1: Prioritize rest (a slightly different approach)

For years, I’ve dealt with insomnia. I would have disrupted sleep numerous times a week, which impacted my mood, energy, mental health, and overall sense of well-being. Despite being chronically under slept, I would keep pushing myself more, more, and more… but I just felt worse, worse, and worse until I had no choice but to cancel social plans and collapse on the couch.

I asked myself: is “getting after it” even worth it if I feel like crap all the time? Why does rest feel SO counterintuitive? The truth is, sustainable productivity begins with rest. It’s the key to the anti-burnout approach. Not to mention, you are worth more than your level of productivity or what you achieve.



So, in my own personal exploration, I began changing some simple things about my lifestyle, which drastically improved my sleep and feelings of well-being.

The three changes I recommend:

  • Tune into your emotions and body throughout the day
  • Honor the different types of rest: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual
  • Try (ask your doctor) magnesium every night before bed (an essential mineral that is often overlooked and low, especially in women)

Guide post #1: Tuning into yourself throughout the day

If I notice my thoughts are becoming more “swirly” or “tangled” inside or I feel physical tension somewhere in my body, that’s my cue to tune in and get curious: What am I feeling right now? What is this trying to communicate to me? What do I need?

Becoming aware of myself in this way as it comes up, rather than pushing away or overriding my internal cues, has been a game changer—one might say it’s been night and day (no pun intended).

I realized that my sleep issues were a symptom of unaddressed and unmet needs that were begging for my attention. If we aren’t tending to ourselves, our emotional needs and our body, these issues will follow us to bed—night-time scrolling, staring at the ceiling for hours, and waking up feeling unrested and groggy are common symptoms that occur as a result of that disconnect.

The takeaway: learning true rest begins with tending to yourself. You deserve it.

Guide post #2: The different types of rest

Ways High-Quality Sleep Is a Life-Changer

Rest can take many forms. It doesn’t just start and end with going to bed earlier (although physical rest is of utmost importance). Rest is about rejuvenation, which also includes our mind, heart, and soul. For this reason, it is important to learn what type of rest you need.

The 4 types of rest:

  1. Physical rest: some examples include sleep, a body scan, relaxing on the couch with a favorite book
  2. Mental rest: doing something that detaches you from life responsibilities – a hobby, learning something new, baking in the kitchen
  3. Emotional rest: journaling, listening to music, talking with a friend
  4. Spiritual rest: time in nature, prayer, meditation

Ask yourself: What type of rest am I in need of today?

Guide post #3: Why magnesium, you ask?

Magnesium helps to reduce cortisol in the body, which supports a more relaxed state (hello restful sleep!). In addition, magnesium has been proven to help manage blood sugar so your blood sugar doesn’t drop in the night, causing disruption in your sleep cycle.

Some bonus benefits include mood regulation, immune function, decreasing blood pressure, maintaining healthy bones, and can help lower symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Magnesium has changed the game for me. I swear by it.

MINDFUL METHOD 2: Be aware of blood sugar

I’m the queen of letting my blood sugar drop just a little too much before responding to it because I’m convinced I’m caught up in something that’s “more important” and I don’t want the interruption. It can be really easy to put our basic needs on the back burner. Life is busy and has many demands, right? But let me tell you this: getting your basic needs met should be top priority.

After all, we can’t feel good if our bodies aren’t getting what they need. I understand not every instance allows for an immediate response (because, you know, #liferesponsibilities), but learning your individual blood sugar patterns will allow you to plan accordingly. Simply managing this physiological need can improve mood and energy without having to make any drastic changes.

Guide post #4: Take an inventory

What are your signs of low blood sugar? Notice what these signals are for you. Some common symptoms include indecisiveness, increased feelings of anxiety, tension in the body, diminishing focus, and the big giveaway — thinking about food!

Guide post #5: Mindfully prepare food:

Once you notice your blood sugar has dipped, ask yourself the following questions: What am I hungry for? Something sweet? Savory? Maybe a little bit of both.

Choose a snack or meal that sounds yummy and pleasurable and meets your body’s needs. This is the key to satiety. If you’re ever at a loss, choose something that you loved as a kid and create something from there! Put it together artfully on a plate or in a bowl. (I also like adding a beverage, whether it’s sparkling water, tea, or espresso). Beautiful presentation cultivates a richer experience.

Tune into your senses: imagine this is the first time you’ve eaten this food. Notice what’s on your plate, the colors, textures, flavor combination. What do you like about this food? Can you describe it? When children eat, they naturally eat mindfully and unrushed. They are completely attuned to their internal cues. Savoring invites a deeper sense of mindfulness and enjoyment.

Every time we eat is an opportunity for reconnection, slowing down, and mindfulness. Your body is sacred and your body always knows what it needs.

Practice the precious art of listening.

MINDFUL METHOD 3: Find what feels good…and follow it

3 Step Mindful Method How To Feel Good and Why it is Important

This one’s my favorite! Doesn’t feeling good sound amazing!? After all, that’s the whole point of this! It’s possible for you! Here’s the thing: discipline and consistency are super important when it comes to creating healthy habits and sticking to them, but relying solely on discipline can make even the things that are meant to make us feel good…start to feel arduous.

Have you noticed that when you feel good, you often partake in more things that reinforce that positive cycle? Instead of only focusing on the behaviors of your daily living, focus on the feeling it creates. This facilities good momentum.

Feeling is energy and it’s also information. Everyone is different, so listen to your inner GPS. Plus, in my opinion, feeling good is a much more fun way to go about living life!

Guide post #6: Make a list – what feels good?

Notice the energy (mood, emotions, inner-spark!) that your daily actions create. This includes all areas of life, from the people you surround yourself with, to the food you eat, how you do (or don’t) move your body, and even how you talk to yourself.

Make a list of all the things that energize you. You can start simple such as: when did I feel my best today or this week? What actions energized me? What made me feel good physically today? Mentally? Emotionally? Over the course of the next week, bring intentional awareness to more of these internal cues.

For example, I learned that having a slow morning impacts the entire trajectory of my day. Instead of starting the day frazzled by the sound of my alarm clock, immediately going to the gym, quickly making breakfast and rushing to work, I’ve changed my routine to something that is more regulating for my nervous system.

This usually consists of the following three checkpoints: connect with how my body is feeling (mindful movement can be really helpful here, I often incorporate yoga), check in with my thoughts and emotions (journaling out what’s on my mind, tuning in to my emotions), nourish myself (savoring breakfast and coffee).

Shifting my perspective from solely focusing on improvement, hustle, and “shoulds” to feeling good and enjoyment has made me feel more like myself. Naturally, this has boosted my creativity, increased a sense of fulfillment, and connected me to my personal values.

Guide post #7: Make a list – what doesn’t feel good?

Similar to the inventory above, make a list of the things that drain you. Notice how you speak to yourself, your internal dialogue. Are your kind to yourself? Ask yourself: When did I feel my worst? What drained me?

Our energy and body will always give signals that are wiser than our brain. Truly practicing listening to these messages will change your life. Remember, we are relying less on discipline and more on what’s energizing us and leaving us feeling good.

Guide post #8: Make an “un-do” list:

Ahh, another favorite of mine: the beloved “un-do” list! The un-do list is another simple way to create more space in your life by removing anything that is not mandatory and is adding stress. It’s time to give yourself permission to say goodbye to unnecessary responsibilities and commitments.

Take an inventory: What needs to get done today versus what do you hope to get done? There’s a subtle difference, but it’s important. Are the things piling high on your to-do list truly urgent? If not, consider removing them completely or spreading it out throughout the week. You may begin to notice you can remove more from your checklist than you realized. And also, why are we so obsessed with to-do lists to begin with?! Remove the BS. Make an un-do list. You’ll be glad you did!

I hope The Mindful Method helps you learn how to feel good, reconnect with yourself, and tap into the spark that is in you! May you be rested, may you be well, may you be at home in yourself, and may you feel deeply content.

Have a beautiful and peaceful start to your new year.

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