I’m feeling energized and inspired with the new year ahead to make some positive changes as part of my annual goals. My biggest priority this year is to “lighten up,” which impacts many aspects of my life.

I’m obsessed with my one-word theme: dandelion. I chose this word to visually symbolize what I want to achieve this year: to feel lighter in mind and body. When trying to figure out my word, I was searching for the antithesis of words like weighty, heavy, substantial.

I got my aha moment when I envisioned a dandelion dispersing its seeds into the wind. All my goals for the year essentially roll up under “dandelion,” and I’ll explain more below. See my 2024 goals’ planning post to review the strategies that worked for me over recent years.

To Feel Lighter in Mind and Body

To me, feeling lighter makes me think of being in a happy place. It represents an inner calmness, an easy-going way to perceive the world. Of course, you can’t always have a mental sense of lightness with daily commitments and responsibilities, but you can make changes in your life to help subscribe to this way of thinking.

Lighter in body is always top of mind for me. I need to drop some pounds and have struggled over recent years. I’m determined this is my year to get on the weight-loss wagon and not fall off! Not to mention, by sharing this personal information here, I’ll feel even more accountable to myself!

We’ve all heard that it takes about 30 days to turn a lifestyle change into a habit. I’m hoping that theory will kick in. I wish I could wave a magical wand to sync a lifestyle change into place, but I know it requires planning, motivation, patience and consistency to make it work.

Why I’m Doing the DASH Diet

Let me start by saying I honestly love healthy eating, but life can get in the way to stay on course. Plus, losing weight as we get older has its challenges. But I persevere to succeed so, I try, try and try again!

I’m not jumping into a fad diet to try lose weight quickly and then … well, you know: fail. I’m easing into a healthy routine following top U.S. ranked DASH diet to guide me. I did my research and think it will be good fit for the long haul. Allow me to provide some details if you’re interested in this plan, and I promise to share more details in a future post if this brings me the success I’m seeking!

DASH Diet: Top-Ranked and Sustainable

DASH diet is considered one of the best for overall health while it’s easy to follow. Check out U.S. News & World Report’s reveal of the best diets of 2023 for details. I need structure, so I invested in the gold DASH Diet Weight Loss Solution book, originally published in 2012, because it is considered the “bible” according to online group members.

So far, I like this way of eating because it’s real food that’s healthy, and I can easily pick out what I like. The first few weeks focus on non-starchy vegetables, healthy proteins, low-fat dairy, legumes, nuts and seeds. After a few weeks, you can add in fruits and whole grains. This is ideal for me to help me cut back on “bad” white carbs and get back on track with wholesome foods.

DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension; hence, it was created to help lower blood pressure. It also helps lower health risks associated with heart disease, joint/bone health and diabetes among others.

Once I master DASH, I can morph into the MIND Diet that combines elements of the Mediterranean Diet to include foods that support brain health. I’m still researching this plan and just got The Official Mind Diet book, published December 2023, so I suspect I’ll transition to this plan as the year progresses.

Other Health-Related Issues to Conquer

I need to fix my feet, literally. I’m working through a very bad bout of plantar fasciitis. I’ve been going to physical therapy and while it’s better, it’ll probably be a few months before I’m completely healed. I’ve made great progress this month, so thrilled about that.

My goal is to be road ready for my power walks by spring. In the meantime, I’ll be doing my daily PT stretches/exercises and strength training videos at home while slowly easing into my walking routine as my feet get better.

My sleep patterns need help. This year, I am going to pay attention to how to improve my Zzzz. I’m already seeing improvements with better eating and following dry January.

Allocate me time. I need to take mental breaks to be more reflective, fill my mind with ideas and follow mindfulness practices to just “be” sometimes. I’ve been enjoying podcasts and reading about mindfulness to focus on being more present and declutter my mind.      

Other Ways to Achieve ‘Lightness’

Other plans to achieve being lighter play into goals that ultimately bring me happiness. I’m sure you may have similar goals for 2024! Mine include:

• Lighting up my spaces: Topping my list is sorting through my boot collection (I’ve lost track so need to stop buying!), restoring a jewelry armoire and cleaning/organizing our utility room for real (back on the list for the third time!).
• Cleaning up my affairs: Hanging out on my to-do list for too long is completing my will. I have a referral for local lawyer who sounds like a good fit.
• Prioritize being happier by planning travel, time with my favorite people, gardening, trying new recipes … things I love to do!  
• Overall, I feel accomplished by checking off items that weigh me down. Sometimes, they’re simple things that take so little time!

Another Symbolism of Dandelion

Funny, when I selected dandelion as my word, I didn’t really think of its common meaning of “making wishes” but I like the added connection of turning a wish into action. In fact, when looking for dandelion wall art to display for a daily reminder, I found many included inspirational messages. Some include:

• Just breathe.
• Every dream begins with a wish.
• Accept what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be.
• Some see a weed. Some see a wish.
• A dream is a wish your heart makes.
• Our dreams they drift away, silent and gracefully with the wind.
• Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.

Even if these inspirational phrases are bit too hokey for my tastes for wall art, they are on the right course because if pursuing your dreams, you’ll feel lighter in mind. 

Sharing Readers’ Feedback on Goals

Remember: If you haven’t planned your goals yet, please don’t throw in the towel. There are still ELEVEN full months ahead of you. With that said, I’d like to share some of my readers’ one-word themes for inspiration. Many may resonate with you to help you decide what happiness goals and achievements are calling out to you.

• Focus
• Limitlessness
• Breathe
• Intentional
• Listen
• Waves
• Celebrate
• Fearlessness
• Grow/sprout
• Evolve
• Sapling
• Willing

I got a chuckle from a text thread with my college BFFs when we shared our one-word themes. To wrap up the topic, one of my girlfriends summarized our goal words with this statement: “Focus and listen with intention while we lighten up our body and minds.” Bravo!

If you’re doing well so far with your goals, you can pat yourself on the back because you got past the milestone of National Quitters Day, which falls on the second Friday of the new year. So, whether it’s getting healthy, spending less or organizing your life, you can pride yourself for getting this far, so keep on trucking with your goals! We got this. Right? 2024 is our year!

Pin to Save for Reading Later