Happy New Years everyone!

I can’t believe it’s 2019 but I’m ready to challenge myself this year. Last year was rough and things just didn’t go as planned. I let stresses from work and studying get to me and this year, I hope to be more mindful about my environment and not let stress control me. After-all, I truly believe that it’s important we focus on what we CAN control which is HOW we REACT to any given situation. This year, I hope to meditate more, read more books, go hike more!

I absolutely love reading and it’s one of my favourite past-times. Last year, I had a goal of reading 100 books. Yup. 100 books. Unfortunately, I didn’t meet my goal of reading 100 books – only made it to 39 books. I still think that’s a good amount of books and I’m proud I got that far considering the crazy year I had. One of the books that I read last year was, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson and it was hilarious.

It really made me re-think about why I sweat over the little things and it made me reflect on the importance of being a happier and better version of myself. I absolutely love the humorous take on life and I have realized how silly I have been with negative thoughts!

Another book I’ll mention that I found enlightening was, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero.

It was EMPOWERING. It felt like the author was my personal cheerleader! Haha. It’s definitely a You GO Girl kind of book. If you’re looking for something backed by science, this isn’t it however.

So far, I have read 14 books this year. I want to read a range of subjects from fiction to non-fiction, cookbooks, art, history etc., you name it! My goal this year is to read 50 books as I was a bit ambitious last year. And gradually make my way to 100 books a year! One I’ll mention that I’ve quite enjoyed is Factfulness by Hans Rosling.

This is by far my favourite of all the books I have read so far. Not only is it because I really admired him as a child but the book really opened my mind to thinking more clearly about the world. That the world is not as negative as I initially thought and has definitely made me a more positive and optimistic person since reading it!

What about you?! What great books have you read or are hoping to read this year? I’d love to hear about it! Feel free to comment below with your reading suggestions.

And until next time,

-M