2023 Has Been A Slow Start For Me and I’m Not Mad About It

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There’s so much pressure to make the most of a new year. Me? I’ve been starting off slow. I’m not worried about reading five books per month or getting in the gym two times per day. Instead, I’ve been taking the weight off my shoulders by starting the year con calma. 

January was my birthday month, so instead of stressing over new beginnings, I took the time to reflect on my accomplishments, my relationships, and even my obstacles. I also took the time to clean my mind and my space, both mentally and physically with the help of Clorox®. 

This past year was unlike any other for me. I jumped in with both feet into a new career and although I felt like a rookie, I eventually found my footing and uncovered the strength of my creativity. I couldn’t have done it without the immense support of my loved ones, but especially my mami. Every hiccup, every doubt, and every triumph– she was there. I’m grateful to have such fruitful relationships with my friends and family, and every year I reminisce over the amazing memories we’ve shared. But life is not perfect, so I’ve also taken the time to reflect and learn from my mistakes. Whether I opened myself up to someone new too quickly or put too much on my plate and stressed out, there is always a lesson to be learned. And while I continue learning and growing, I’m grateful to have my tribe of amazing friends and family to lift me up along the way.

Surrounding myself with incredible people is only one part of it– it’s also important for me to be surrounded by a clean space! When I’m feeling especially overwhelmed, cleaning my surroundings and setting rituals reminds me to ground myself and be present. So I prepare for another season by cleansing my space, both literally and spiritually. 

I begin by cleaning my room from top to bottom and reorganizing any clutter that accumulated over time. I get into all the nooks and crannies using Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, making sure to refresh all the surfaces in my room. I also pay special attention to my spiritual belongings, like sacred crystal and candles, and ensure they are ready for use when I need them. Then, I tackle the beast: my closet. It’s a hassle to sort through old clothes and neverending hangers, but staring into an organized closet gives me a serious dopamine boost. Finally, once everything is organized, I make a final pass through my entire room using the Clorox® Multi-Surface Disinfecting Mist, which smells amazing and even disinfects hard and soft surfaces when used as directed. Now, not only do I have a clean and clear mindset, but also a sparkling clean environment.

Organizing my room can feel mundane, but cleaning my space really does help clear my mind.

It allows me to function without worrying about the mess around me and gives me a safe place to grow, reflect and relax. And of course, none of this is complete without the right music to set the mood, so I turn my speaker on full blast and give the best solo performance of all time. My roommate always jokingly asks, “Beyoncé, is that you?” No, it’s just me in my own little world!

Now it’s time for you to create your own little world– whatever it may look like. With the overwhelming amount of social media we’re exposed to, it’s easy to fall into the harmful habit of comparing yourself to others. Because of this, it’s important to listen to your body and mind, give yourself compassion, and create your own rules in 2023. So if you haven’t set any big goals this  year or you haven’t been feeling as productive lately, that’s totally okay! It’s okay to take things slow and not hit the ground running. It’s okay to relax and not have endless to-do lists. Do what feels right for you and to help set the right mood, check out this curated playlist by HipLatina to reset con calma and refresh your space and your mind!