New Years Check In – Can We Have it All?

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Nissan via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Nissan.

Hey Everyone! Hope you’re having a great day thus far. It’s already mid-January 2015, can you believe it? I think the first month of the year always seems to fly by because we’re all caught up in the heady celebration of out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new. Soon after, we’re collectively riding the wave of plans to better ourselves for the next 365 days (read we’re all gluten-free vegans on our way to the gym ha!). Funny thing is, I noticed so many people saying they weren’t making any new year’s resolutions this year, probably because we all know how new year’s resolutions go (meaning they don’t go). Personally I think it’s hard *not* to make some sort of promise to yourself when the time marker of December 31st approaches and January 1st is looming. It’s just too perfect a time to change, especially when the momentum of society is practically cheering you on right? Right.

When Mode and Nissan asked me to write this post (sponsored btw, #wontHedoit) about Having it All, I immediately thought about my own new year “promise to self” (a.k.a. resolution) of living with less shame and more authentically Roshini.

You do that already you say?

Well yes and no.

I do it, but I feel I can (and we all can) do it even more. In my mind there is nothing more liberating, and dare I say, beautiful, than living life as a whole you. We are all are born with this whole understanding of ourselves and freeness (think kids running though the living room with a makeshift cape in pajama pants believing they can fly), but as life happens external experiences and well-meaning people quench that wonder until it is more palatable and easy for social consumption, typically to our detriment. I told myself that this year I would continue my ongoing intention to be 100% myself and not morph into what others want me to be, which is something I’ve been gradually un-learning over the years. This means speaking my whole truth without considering whether it will be well-received, it means knowing that my experience is valid whether it is shared by the masses, it means being conscious of what I will and will not allow to be done or said to me, it means knowing my worth, the weight of my words and platform, and that my being here is purposeful and impactful.

It also means taking better care of myself, making my surrounding more reflective of who I am, and being honest and ok with when I need a reprieve. I tend toward a Wonder Woman complex, she’s my favorite superhero (no cape but killer boots ay?)  Being a wife, a friend, a daughter, a blogger, a vlogger, a church member and a mom to a son with special needs can leave you feeling depleted. I watched this Haute Havens video by the amazing Latham Thomas (@glowmaven on Instagram whom I follow and enjoy the positive energy of all her posts) and was inspired to make some serious changes in my own space. Lifestyle maven Latham Thomas is all about living well. That includes her home, too. Check out this video, step inside of her New York City home, and see what I mean:

Watch the video directly on YouTube.

Oh my geeeeeeeee!  Can we say “spa”-la-la?!! *faint*

Do you not feel more peaceful and inspired after watching that? From her clothes, to her home, to her choice of accessories, to the tone of her voice, I’m so impressed with her ability to know and be 100% herself and create a space that best allows that self to flourish and grow (or glow as she would put it).

So back to my own resolution and the idea of “Having it All”. I think Having it All can be as simple as self-knowing and self-contentment.  It’s that peace that you get when you know, really really know, that you’r ok and all of you is sufficient.  It also means allowing you to be you in every expression that you put out into the world. That can take the form of your hair, makeup, beauty routines, clothes, choice of music, what you watch on television (or don’t), books you read, people you interact with, work you do, art you create and ESPECIALLY the space that you call home. I’m going to do a better job at the latter, and in doing so I believe I’ll be keeping my promise to myself to be a whole expression of Roshini in the new year.

With its stylish looks and premium interior, the Nissan Altima is just as much an individual as you are. Not fitting into one mold is what makes the Nissan Altima not only unique, but very exciting!