Nikki Sharp's Blog: Nikki's Thoughts, page 4

How to set powerful resolutions

My loves – it’s 2020!

Wow… it’s a new year, new decade… and shall we say, new you? I know, I know, it’s so cliche to say that. But, I have something that I think will dramatically change your year and help set you up for a pretty amazing one. Today I’m finally going to share some exercises that I’ve been doing the past few years that have had massive impact on my life, and I know they will on yours! If you are NOT ready to see some incredible changes, then stop reading now, as this post is really only for those who want to have an epic 2020.

If you’re still with me, then continue on to learn how to set powerful resolutions! I’m also going to guide you through the exercises that come straight out of my Dream Binder (an amazing tool I use with clients and have been using on myself for many years).

 

Now, I have to talk about resolutions for just a brief moment, because I used to be the girl that said ‘naw, I don’t do them!’ I just set goals for myself all year long, trying to become better each month. If you’re anything like this and don’t believe in the January resolutions, then I would advise you to listen closely. January is a tremendously impactful time of the year, not just because it is a new year, but because there is so much intention from so many people across the world. You know the saying, where the mind goes, energy flows. Imagine if 100 people all set intentions on January 1 to become a better friend. Do you think it would be impactful? Heck yes it would. Now imagine those same 100 people all setting the same intention but at all different times; would it have as big of a collective impact? No, it wouldn’t. So think of it like you get to ride on the energy of others.]

But not only that, setting a yearly resolution will ONLY work if you then break it down into monthly and weekly goals. And this is where most people fail. But today I’m going to teach you how to set powerful resolutions and an incredibly impactful exercise to reflect on your past year.

 

Yearly reflection exercises

 

 

Before you can go on to setting resolutions, you must first see what happened in the past year. What went well, what didn’t. What did you learn from, what are you proud of. It’s very easy to move into a new year being excited to clear the old, or maybe you had a great year and want to remain there.

This first exercise I want you to do is something that I’ve been doing since 2016. It is truly incredible to see what your year comprised of, including the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful. This will help you to see all that you did, the biggest ways you grew, and bring back to memory some amazing experiences.

Step 1: On a piece of paper, write down all the months of the year, giving a line in between each one. Starting with January 2019, write down all the eventful things that happened, including any travel, work promotions or leaving, big romantic events, and any other event that had effect on you, both positive and negative. Continue until you are done with all 12 months.

 

Step 2: Download and print (or write it out yourself) the sheet below then fill out each part, looking back on the various events of the year. You’ll be reflecting to see what moments were the hardest, aka kicked your ass, which ones you learned the most from, which made the the most grateful. Ideally, try to find 10-20 things for each category.

(right click to save the file below to your computer)

 

This is one of the most powerful exercises you can do to reflect on your year and is necessary in order to really see where you want to go in the next year. What you’ll find is that the hardest moments tend to bring the biggest lessons and become what you are most grateful for! (Which is a great thing to think about for a new year and all that can happen.)

Next up… how to set some powerful intentions to have a wicked amazing 2020!

How to set powerful resolutions

 

 

So now that you’ve gone through and done the reflection exercise, are you excited to get going to a new year? I know I sure am!

The next exercise I would like you to watch this YouTube video I made last year. It’s still relevant and you will get all the information you need in order to succeed.

For my resolutions this year, I chose to look at different areas of my life such as finances, business, self development/spiritual, life, and health. I chose one big goal for each that I knew would have a massive impact if I could complete it by the end of the year. I then chose to answer some simple questions such as:

“What is the #1 thing that will make 2020 SUCCESSFUL?”

“What would make 2020 AMAZING?”

In answering these two questions, I was able to really see what my focus is for 2020. The next step of this (as you’ll see by watching the YouTube video, is to break your resolutions down into monthly goals. That’s where how to set powerful resolutions really comes into play!

For me, it was all about tracking my spending (because this reflects my #1 2020 goal), meditation, and doing my journaling. Doing these three things will set me up for an incredible month, are in line with my resolutions, and are very doable.

There you have it my loves! How to set powerful resolutions and the ways in which you will actually make them happen this year!

I would love to know what your big goals are this year – share them below in the comments section. And if you know anyone that could benefit by reading this post, please share it.

With love,

Nikki

The post How to set powerful resolutions appeared first on Nikki Sharp.

Your Biggest Bali Questions, Answered

My beautiful friends… I’ve missed you! It’s actually been far too long since I’ve been blogging regularly (more on that later) and I realized that now was the perfect time to start again because of all the questions I’ve had about Bali. That’s why I’m dedicated this post to your biggest Bali questions, answered… and I’ll be sharing a lot more about the Bali lifestyle, such as things you need to know before visiting, what it’s like to live here,  and top places to eat, drink, do yoga and more.

For now though, let’s get to answering your biggest Bali questions!

Your Biggest Bali Questions, Answered

Your must see place to go: This is a hard one because there are SO many amazing places in Bali, all of which fit into different categories. I think that going to the Monkey Forrest is a pretty unique experience for two reasons. The first is the monkeys. Obviously lol. It’s a bit scary to see them all, especially if they run up to you, however it’s pretty spectacular to see momma monkeys and their babies and the sheer volume of them. I will say, be a bit careful because they can bite occasionally (if you’re taunting them). The other reason I love the Monkey Forrest (which is in Ubud) is the magnificent trees. I swear this is what Avatar looks like in person. Head over the bridge and look up to the ridiculously huge trees and down where the river is. It’s a very spiritual place.

The monkey forrest in ubud

Non-comercial places to socialize: Also a hard one to answer because Bali is HUGE… With that being said, I’ll share in Canggu as that’s where I’ve been spending most of my time. The cool thing about here is that there are very few actual commercialised places. It’s not like America… there are so many little cute restaurants, co-working spots, cafes, bars.

Best beach locations for hotel / villa rental: Seminyak or Canggu are wonderful places because there is quite a bit of land, so the villas tend to be a bit bigger (don’t try to get one right next to the beach though as they’ll cost a ton more). Hotels, fav spots are Ubud, Canggu on the beach and Uluwatu on the cliff. In Ulu I’d recommend splurging a bit to get a hotel that’s right on the cliffside as the views are worth it.

What was your favorite thing about Bali: The locals! Honestly, they are the friendliest of anywhere I’ve ever traveled and I can’t get enough of their kindness. I also love how easy and cheap it is to eat super healthy and delicious meals.

Best yoga studios and mini retreats: Hands down The Yoga Barn in Ubud. They host retreats all the time, teacher trainings and have yoga alllll day errrrr day. It’s my favorite spot.

How to find a villa for shorter term 3-6 months? Is there usually lots of availability or more competitive to find good places? I would recommend this FB group which is to find housing in Canggu. They also have ones for Ubud and Uluwatu. Just be wary because a lot of scams can happen, so make sure the person renting to you owns the property, has all the legal paperwork and others know of the person/place.

Your favorite restaurants? The Yoga Barn cafe is to die for… legit it is the best food and I could live on it for the rest of my life. I love Alchemy which is a raw cafe in Ubud, and for a night out with incredible food, great drinks and a good atmosphere I’d recommend Mason in Canggu. Those three are my top restaurants in all of Bali! I also love having a cocktail at sunset at Como in Canggu or The Lawn for sunset as well. A shoutout to Elixir Cafe in Ubud as well, which has amazing vegan food (the truffle pizza is to die for).

Your favorite places to practice yoga? The Yoga Barn in Ubud. Sadly Canggu has disappointed me with their yoga and I haven’t spent too much time in Uluwatu. The Yoga Barn has classes in one place from morning until night for every type of practice.

Where’s the best place to stay in Seminyak that’s next to cafes/restaurants?!What are the must go-to cafe/restaurants in Seminyak? Sadly I don’t know this area as much as it’s SO touristy now that I’ve kind of stayed away from it.  Some hotels in Canggu, I’d recommend Como as a splurge. Then take a look on AirBnB because they have loads of amazing places along the beach for cheap.

Best coffee? Coconut lattes which you can get anywhere. Thank god for coconuts because they are the mainstay of like everything here, coco coffees, coconut oil, coconut based desserts, fresh coconuts… then again I just love coconuts. I do love Zin Cafe in Canggu and sadly the place I really loved for coffee and avocado toast in Ubud closed (Full Circle).

What is something in Bali you want to do you’ve never done before: Great question! I haven’t hiked up Mt.Sanur which you get up at 3am for. Every time I’m here I say I’m going to do it and then don’t…it’s absolutely on the list. oh, and visiting Nusa Penida which looks stunning.



What are your favorite workout spots around Bali: I love Body Factory in Canggu for a luxury gym with every style of equipment you could want. It’s definitely my fav but quite expensive (250,000 rupiah which is around $17 for one workout). Outside of that, there’s a ton of gyms around Canggu, I’ve just not found one that I love as much as Body Factory. Outside of that, The Yoga Barn will also be top as well because of the yoga classes. I do love running and the beach in Canggu is a good place, but only at sunset otherwise it’s too f*cking hot. And running on the roads isn’t good because they are so busy and the dogs can be nasty sometimes.

Your favorite ways to reset on the island: Going to the beach, heading to Ubud for yoga and healthy food, or going to Uluwatu to watch the sunset for the cliffs. Can you tell these are my fav spots lol?

What is the general impression of foreigners who live there? The locals appreciate foreigners because it brings a lot of money to the island. There’s a bit of a bad impression of Australians though because they tend to come here, party/get super drunk, drive their scooters kind of crazy and leave trash everywhere. It’s same vibes as when you think of Americas going to Cancun. In Ubud, the more spiritual area, the impression is that it’s a lot of people coming to ‘find’ themselves. I can share more on this if you all want… being in Bali you see/hear/and experience a lot lol. Oh – just be aware that EVERY foreigner either gets a bike or has a driver to take them around, so there’s a LOT of traffic.

Is it better to go in Bali for the first time by yourself or is it better if you go there on a retreat? I came here for a yoga teacher training and ended up staying three months. Honestly, I think both! Come for a retreat and stay a few extra days, or if you’re an outgoing person, go to Seminyak, Canggu or Ubud and go make friends. The expats and people that come here are all so friendly.

 

Whew… I hope you enjoyed those! Your biggest Bali questions, answered has been pretty fun! I actually had SO many more questions that I will have to do a 2-part for the post. If there is anything else you want to know, or that I didn’t answer, drop a comment below and it will go into my post next week.

Tons of Bali love,

Nikki

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2019 Epic Holiday Gift Guide

My lovelies!

It’s been a minute and I’ve missed you, but I am back in action.

It’s that time of year… you know, when we put off all our gift shopping until the last minute and then frantically hit the stores trying to find the *perfect* gift for our loved ones. That’s why I wanted to put together an epic holiday gift guide for you so that you don’t have to stress and can be sure you’re getting something that they will love.

This list is broken into different categories because no holiday gift guide would be complete without talking to all the people in your life! These are all things that I have personally bought and LOVE, so these are coming as recommendations from me.

Let’s get started…

 

Your 2019 Epic Holiday Gift Guide

 

 

For the foodie/ health enthusiast

The Vitamix Blender. I cannot recommend this enough! Seriously! I have used my vitamix for absolutely everything from smoothies to soups, nice cream, sauces, bliss balls and more. This is one piece of equipment that I do think it’s worth spending some money on!

 

The NutriBullet. If you don’t have the budget for the top-of-the-line blender, the Nutribullet is my next choice. Having also used this for years, it’s the perfect grab and go for smoothies and soups to take with you.

 

Kitchen knives set. Trust me when I say that you NEED some good knives in your kitchen. They will make your life soooo much easier and actually make cooking fun! This set below is one I’ve used and love the look and feel of it, not to mention how well they cut for a fraction of the cost of other knives.

 

The 5-Day Real Food Detox book. Gifting this to yourself or others is a precious thing because you are giving the ultimate gift of health! This detox will reset your body in 5 days and the best part is that we are starting a new year AND a new decade. Lose up to 12 lbs in 5 days, and keep it off! Commit to helping others (and yourself) and get this book. Trust me, you’ll thank me later!

 

Meal Prep Your Way to Weight Loss book. If you or your loved ones have already done the detox, the next step is learning how to meal prep. This book well help you to lose weight, eat amazing meals (it has 100 recipes!) and comes with a 4-week meal plan to take the guess work out of what to eat in 2020. It also is loaded with info on how to stop emotional eating, what superfoods you need, and what foods you need to eat.

Honorable mention: booking them a spa day, massage, or event a retreat. This might be one of the best gifts you can get. If you don’t have a lot of cash, treat them to a day you you cooking, working out together and cleaning up after the meal (all written in cute notes you put in a box).

For the fitness enthusiast

DryBar’s Dry Shampoo. Trust me when I say that the female fitness lover will appreciate this gift. We need to keep our hair clean and looking good and this is a no-brainer.

 

The gym bag. This is a unisex bag that comes in different colors. It’s light, fits everything you need in it and is a needed item for anyone who goes from work to the gym, or gym to meet friends. I personally can’t live without my gym bag!

Nike Air Max Torch, mens. For that special man in your life, get him a pair of shoes he will love. In a recent study, it showed that runners who used Nike’s actually ran faster! Who knew…

Nike Reax Running shoes, women. For the ladies in your life, these are a sleek pair that can go with any outfit, not to mention are a great workout shoe.

Honorable mention: get them a 3-class pass to their favorite gym, or even better, a monthly membership. Don’t have the money? Give them a free pass to workout together. Remember, people like working out with other people!

For the beauty lover

Clarisonic Mia. This is the smaller version (see: travel version) and is the perfect gift. I carry this with me everywhere and have been using it for years! Clear and glowing skin? Yes please!

La Mer Skincare Set. One of the most well-known brands out there, this kit won’t disappoint. It contains everything a girl could need and then some! It’s pricey yes, but your loved one won’t need anything else but this. It also comes in with the case, which will fit in the gym bag. Double win!

 

Korean sheet masks. The Koreans know how do to skin care (trust me, I lived there!). These are gentle on the skin, effective and are perfect for on the go or any girls night.

 

Byredo fragrance. You might not have heard of this one, but it’s the most popular and fastest selling fragrance. And for good reason… it’s amazing! Get the sampler set because they are all amazing!

For the tech lover

Sonicare toothbrush. This came into my life about 10 years ago and I have never looked back. It is quite possibly one of the best investments you can make, or give someone. I’ve tested them all and this is my favorite one (especially with the travel case).

The SanDisk hard drive. A hard drive is a non-negotiable in today’s era with computers and this is one of the best I’ve found. It’s small, it’s light, and it will fit in the smallest of places. Faster than any of the others, with a bigger drive, it’s the one you need to make sure your computer is backed up and things not lost.

Beats By Dre headphones. I’ve had this exact model and color (they come in all colors though) since 2015. It’s the most durable and best travel gift for sound, plus workouts will never be the same.

Honorable mention: the iPhone 11. It’s an expensive gift, but definitely worth it!

For the spiritual seeker/ conscious shopper

5 love languages book. This book has been a guiding force in my life and those I coach. If you don’t know your love language, or you’re in a relationship, then this is a must.

Eckart Tolle. The Power of Now is one of the best books to read if you are in need of some healing. It will help you connect with who you are and it’s definitely a must read for everyone!

Healing gemstone water bottle. Your water will never be the same again! We know water can be affected by energy and intention, so why not drink clarified water to better your health?

My Intent bracelet or necklace. What better than wearing your intention on your sleeve? I’ve been wearing these bracelets for years (my word has always been trust) and it’s a company that I recommend. They send you the kit to make your bracelet so you can host a party with friends as well. Use code NIKKI for 30% off your order.

The Silk Project scarf or necktie. Every scarf bought helps free a girl from sex slavery – talk about a great cause! The scarves are Hermes quality, beautiful colors and tell a story. I wear these all the time and can’t recommend it enough! Use code NIKKI for 20% off your order.

Honorable mention: a healing session with a healer in your local area. With an abundance of people out there who can guide you into better health and happiness, this is one that I ABSOLUTELY recommend. (If you’re interested I can share who I personally work with. Email me at nikki@nikkisharp.com. I also offer one-on-one sessions to clear energy and get you in alignment and on the path to complete fulfilment).

 

For the person who loves to be organized

Packing cubes. If you are an avid traveler or want to be able to travel with tons of clothes in a small carry-on, then you need to get these. They have been in my life for a few years now and I am asked constantly how I pack so much into my small bags.

Electronic travel case. I am asked all the time about this one and what I used to keep all my electronics neatly together. This one of those items that I cannot imagine not having. It’s quite inexpensive and totally worth it. Whether you’re on the go around your city or flying, it’s a must.

Samsonite carry on suitcase. I’ve tested many, many suitcases and while there’s a lot on the market, Samsonite is still one of my favourites. It’s not as expensive as Tumi, but just as good of quality. Not to mention super chic and comes in all colors.

 

 

 

Okay my lovelies… that’s it for 2019! Although I honestly could go on and on about other gifts that I love and recommend, I think this is a great start. I’ve included all the categories that I love and have bought for. There’s a few items here that work for both men and women, especially the tech and travel ones.

If you like this list and want a Valentines Day gift guide, do let me know! (not that I’m thinking about that already haha!)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays…

Let me know which items you end up getting from here and if you love them as much as I do!

With love,

Nikki

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I Tried Panchakarma… THIS is how it went

Hello beautiful readers! It’s absolutely been a hot minute, or like a few months, since I’ve been here and much has happened since my last post. I’ll update you all soon on everything, but the short version is that I have been writing my new book and all my time and energy has been going into that, along with moving from Paris to London, Tony Robbins events that I take part in, challenging myself more and more to do YouTube and IGTV videos which end up taking a lot of time. So yes, that about sums it up for the past few months, hehe. As I said though, I will update you soon on everything with more detail… but for now, I must share my experience of Panchakarma!

It was my birthday this past Monday (June 10) and I turned 32. About a week before my big day I decided that I wanted to gift myself a treatment that would make me feel great going into this new year &  what better than an Ayurvedic one! Seriously though, I’m pretty much obsessed with all things Ayurveda and have found it to be the most helpful when it comes to my health concerns.

(c) chopra.com

After researching various websites here in London, I settled on The Ayurvedic Clinic, part of the Ayurveda Institute UK, which is in Surrey, or about 20 minutes south of London. It seems to be that these treatments are less expensive than those offered in LA (where I used to live) so I was quite excited to book something. I’ve actually been researching various Ayurveda schools as I’d like to do a year-long course in order to provide even more to my clients and then realized that I should do a treatment in the short term period.

What I liked about The Ayurveda Clinic was that they had both diplomas and treatments in the same facility, which shows that it’s a very authentic place for this ancient practice. For those who don’t know much about Ayurveda, originated in India thousands of years ago that is holistic in nature. Ayu – meaning life, Veda – meaning knowledge. I won’t go into too much here, but it’s pretty fascinating stuff and has always been spot on to help me get back on track whether it’s a skin condition like acne, or digestive issues.

So what IS panchakarma?

 

 

Panchakarma is a complete mind and body rejuvenation experience that helps you to achieve optimal health. It’s focus is on eliminating toxins from the body through a five-step program consisting of an herbal warm oil massage that has been formulated based on your consultation, followed by swedana, or using a poultice of herbs to help draw out toxins. Next is shirodhara, where warm oil is poured on the forehead for an up to an hour, calming the entire body and nervous system. Then comes virechana, or the expelling of toxins through your body from both ends, followed by nasya which is the herbal oil going up your nose to cleanse the excess mucus in your sinus passage. Whew, that’s a lot of steps and definitely sounds a bit intense. Treatments will vary depending on the person and what the doctor has found in the consultation.

The treatment

 

 

Prior to doing it, it’s recommended that you have a consultation so the doctor can learn what dosha you are, what imbalances you may have, your emotional stress among other things. We spoke via Skype for an hour with her asking me questions about my diet, exercise, stress levels, childhood and much more. This then gives her the basis on what herbs to add for your treatment along with what you need to take post treatment. Dr. Wathsala, who has been a practitioner for over 25 years, guided me through what foods I should avoid over the next three weeks and which ones are okay and during the conversation, she really made me feel comfortable about the whole experience.

Next, it was time for my one day panchakarma treatment which I was quite ready for. Having been a bit of an emotionally draining week, this couldn’t have come at a better time. The treatment is focused on helping you rid toxins from food, drugs and alcohol, stress, and emotional stress; can’t wait! I chose to do only the one day treatment to get a feel for it, then go back in a few weeks for the three day one. It goes up to a full month as well, for those who have chronic illnesses, cancer and other serious issues.

They recommend you to eat a light, but filling breakfast as your body will need the energy throughout the three hour process. I settled on a bowl from a health food store of brown rice, beans and soybeans. These ingredients had all been on the approved list of things to eat and I knew it was hearty, yet wouldn’t leave me feeling heavy. I had this at 8.30am for my 11am treatment, along with a almond milk matcha latte. You’re supposed to eat kitchari, which is a staple in ayurvedic cooking; it’s a easy-to-digest combo of basmati rice and mung dal. However this specific clinic doesn’t do food so I had to make do with what I could find that was closest.

Upon arriving I was given a warm tea then taken to the back where I undressed fully and put on disposable underwear while my therapist prepared the oil. I laid on the bed, face down, got comfy and the treatment began. She poured mass amounts of oil all over my back, then used various strokes to help release my muscles and break up toxins within them. This process was repeated down the backs of my legs, front, and then on my belly and shoulders. There are various points that have a buildup of toxins and can feel painful when they are touched; for me this was the bottom of the shoulder blades and in-between my index and thumb fingers, as well as a super tight IT band.

The massage on each part of the body was followed by a poultice of rice and herbs that was heated and helped to release tension, move the oil through the skin, and work on the toxins. Each part was heavenly and I found myself feeling so relaxed at this point.

Then came shirodhara, which is one of my favorite Ayurvedic practices with oil dripping down at a constant speed onto your third eye, or in between your eyebrows. While this was going on, she rubbed a specific herbal paste for my body on my belly that was quite cool. The treatment thus far was all warm and the touch of cool on my skin was a bit shocking, but she said it was needed to reduce the pitta, or heat in my digestive tract and stomach to help with my bloating and constipation I get. After this was slathered on, she then took what looked like a bagel and moulded it into a shape on my heart chakra aka in between my breasts.  It is made of flour and water that is used in Ayurvedic cooking and in the panchakarma treatment is used to house oil on certain points on the body. She filled this up with hot oil to help work on my heart chakra and release some emotional distress.

(the photo below is not me, clearly, but I found this practice so fascinating that I wanted to share what it looks like as it’s being performed)

(c) yo1.com

At this point I did wonder if I should get her to take a photo, but they take their treatments quite serious so I didn’t want to be ‘that girl.’ It was quite a sight to be seen though. Thick paper towel on the rest of my body, brown paste on my belly, bagel-looking shape with oil in between the girls, and oil being poured on my forehead.

It was total and complete bliss. During the massage, my mind was thinking and trying to process and make sense of various things that come into it. During this next part of the treatment, I was dreaming and in and out of consciousness. I couldn’t remember anything after I ‘woke up’ to which she said this was very normal and good as my mind was helping to eliminate unwanted thoughts and emotions in the body.

Last, it was time to get into the full body sauna, except my head poked out, allowing my face to breathe in the cool air while the heat created sweat all over my body. It was hot, slightly uncomfortable, but also totally yummy. Then again, I love heat! I learned that this treatment was very specific to my needs and so the consultation is definitely needed.

Once I finished the treatment, I went out to get the herbs that had been recommended to me, along with the list of foods I should avoid for the next three weeks, and which ones I should eat. These will all help to balance out my doshas, decrease any emotional toxins I have in my body, increase my energy, help with some acne I’ve been getting, and improve my overall wellbeing.

Tonight I will take the herbs and eat the little brown square, which is the purgatory piece of my treatment that is done at home and will have me on the toilet seat tomorrow for a bit. Can’t wait!

I’ll give you all an update on how it goes and what I feel after a few weeks of taking the various herbal treatments, having my cilantro (corriander) seed tea in the morning, and steering clear from some foods not allowed.

I’d love to know: have you done any ayurveda treatments? Or are you interested in any of them? I’d love to know… drop me a line below!

Xoxo,

Nikki

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Tips to make new year’s resolutions a success

It’s that time of year! 

The New Year, New You movement that always happens on January 1 when people across the globe come together to make resolutions that most likely failed the previous one, with hopes they will stick with them this time around. If this sounds anything like you, then keep reading because I’m sharing my top tips to make New Year’s resolutions a success!

You might be surprised to know, but I never make resolutions. A few years ago I came to the realization that every time I was waking up on the first day of January, I was inevitably setting myself up for failure. The reason is the same as how we look at dieting and losing weight. It becomes the ‘I will start my diet next Monday’ which leads us to binge on everything in sight leading up to the start date. If you’ve ever tried a diet you know this approach doesn’t work and the same goes for resolutions.

So how does one go about making a difference and actually seeing the results you want this year? Simple! By changing up the way you write your resolutions.

What do you want to achieve this year?

This morning, January 1, 2019 I laid in bed with my coffee and began journaling. Each day I do a gratitude list, write down what I intend to do that will make that day AMAZING and a desire/intention list (this happens more so by the week). I realized that by doing this each day and week, I’m more likely to set myself up for success by the pure nature of writing down my goals and doing them on a daily basis. This is why normal resolutions fail. We say things like “this is the year I will get in shape!” or “I’m going to learn finances,” yet neither of these are actionable. They are generalized statements which of course are going to lead down the rabbit hole of not succeeding.

If you’ve read this far then I know you are ready to learn my tips to make New Year’s resolutions a success!

Make your New Year’s resolutions successful

Create your desires list. This is going to be all the things you want to be, achieve, do, see, experience. Then write down all your intentions, these will be more of the actionable items that you’d like to achieve.
Set your action plan. Break it down by goal and create a timeline for each month.
Understand the emotions behind your goals. If you are doing something because you want significance or validation, it’s less likely to be achieved than if you do it based on serving or helping others.
Make it fun. Write the things that you can do for each goal to make it playful, fun, and that you actually enjoy doing it each day.
Find an accountability partner. Set targets for each other and create check-ins to make sure they happen.
Do a weekly check in. Are you on track towards your larger goals? Is there anything you didn’t do that you can do the following week?
Do a daily check in. Write down what you are grateful for, things that went well, what you can do better tomorrow.
Start a check list. Once you break down your goals and create timelines for them, make it simple to cross things off each day or week.
Create a smiley face journal. This one might sound silly but it’s proven to work because it gives our brain validation. Draw a box with all 7 days in it, M-F and your goal to the left. If you do your goal that day give yourself a smiley face, if you don’t a sad face.

 

I hope that you find these tips to make New Year’s resolutions really work helpful! I’ve also created a page that you can download and write your goals and intentions in. I’ve also written about feeling fulfilled and created another sheet HERE. It’s a great place to start to understand where you are in life and where you want to go.

 

To give you some ideas for #1-4, here were my answers from the last box on the sheet:

Create my goals on paper, decide monthly targets (realistically), write down action steps for top 3 goals.
Decide my priority for #1,2,3 goals (and why they are in that order), which ones I have direct control over vs not, which are solo projects, which can I delegate or need someone, and where I’ll have fun.
Create monthly calendar with timeframes, add each intention in respect to the month I want it done by, create timeline.
Do scan/checklist of: am I meditating, sleeping, eating well? Reflect on what exactly did or didn’t happen and was there anything I could have changed (or that I didn’t do that I should have).

I hope that you love this post, as it’s one near to my heart as I’m sharing what has worked for me in the past and ways I set myself up for success. I know if you do what I’ve mentioned above you will see the results you want!

I’d love to know what your desires and intentions are for 2019! Share them below to make your intentions a reality.

Xoxo,

Nikki

The post Tips to make new year’s resolutions a success appeared first on Nikki Sharp.

12 Habits of Women With Radiant Skin

You’ve seen her before. The girl with that radian skin who just oozes confidence whatever she does, makeup or no makeup. You’ve probably wondered how you achieve those results, especially after you’ve tried everything. What does she do that you are not? I’m spilling the secrets below on the habits of women with radiant skin and how you can achieve it too!

 

Want radiant skin? Here’s how:

 

 

She cleanses her skin (and brushes) properly. Doing all the ‘right’ things and still not seeing results? It could come down to that your makeup brushes are dirty and you aren’t properly cleaning them – or your skin. “Brush hairs and sponges are porous, so they hold onto oils, debris, and bacteria,” says makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci. As for your face? Make sure you are rubbing the cleanser in a circular motion for two minutes to really remove makeup build up.
She uses organic skincare. The government has not updated it’s regulations for what products go into your products (read: companies in the US can and do use ingredients that are banned in Europe), and these are impacting your internal health as your skin seeps up whatever you put on it, as well as how the skin on your face reacts. Organic is the way to go, but finding companies to trust can be hard. I personally live and swear by Madara Skincare which is everything you want it to be: clean and natural ingredients, organic, and minimal products in order to see maximum results.
She hydrates all day, every day. Glowing skin starts from within, which means making sure you have regular bowel movements and drink enough water to help this process. Build up of undigested food can cause excess toxins in the gut which impacts your skin and causes acne, dullness and puffiness. H20 also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and hydrates that delicate skin on your face.
She eats the right foods. Skincare isn’t just about the products you use, it’s how to you treat your body from within and this means having foods high in fiber such as beans, legumes, broccoli, caufloerw, brussels sprouts, and meals full of color. Having a rainbow of colors on your plate will give your body a variety of vitamins and minerals which all have a direct response on the radiance of your skin.
She shows up with gratitude every day. Being happy for what you have is one of the quickest ways to reduce stress, which has a direct impact on your skin. Stress increases cortisol and when your body goes into fight or flight mode, your skin takes a direct hit. Keep it simple and write down 5 things you are grateful for everyday and watch your skin get better.
She exercises. Clean and radiant skin is a mix of all things going into your body and sweat and toxins coming out of it. Get your body moving at least 5x a week to see a more youthful look. Find something you love and then make it a habit (this will not only help your skin look great, but your body and mind will thank you too).
She uses sunscreen every day. Rain or shine, UV rays still penetrate your skin and can cause permanent damage. Save the surgeries and lasers later, by adding SPF30 and above. Remember, use a dime size amount for your face and don’t forget to reapply halfway through the day.


She gets 8 hours of sleep. You already know sleep is important for your productivity, but did you know that getting six hours or less can actually give you a puffier, more wrinkled looking face? Your body restores itself overnight, so get off your phone at least 30 minutes before bed, close the curtains or use an eye mask, and hit the pillows for a good eight hours. Sleeping enough also helps to reduce cravings the next day, and you know your cravings are rarely the foods that will make you have radiant skin.
She washes her pillowcases regularly. According to Dr. David E. Bank, director of The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery, “Acne mechanica is any type of acne that is the result of material or objects touching your face. When your pillowcase isn’t laundered or changed regularly, a build-up of dirt and oil from the environment as well as your skin and hair touching the pillow is transferred back to your skin. This can clog pores and cause blemishes.” Wash your pillowcases every two weeks, ideally using organic detergent.
She uses minimal, but high quality products. Your skin has a hard time adjusting to using too many products (especially if they are all from different brands). Not seeing results? Remove an item or two and stick with that for three months, which is the time it takes to see a change. You need a great face wash, morning moisturiser, evening moisturiser, sunscreen, and mask. Outside of that, you can start to add products, but stick to the basics and get quality products first and foremost.
She does masks once a week. Don’t have time? Double time a mask while meal prepping on Sundays, meditating, or even working at your computer. “Face masks are occlusive—they blanket the skin and drive products in deeply. Masks can deliver higher concentrations of active ingredients to plump, hydrate, and balance the skin,” says Dr. Deirde Hooper, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology.
She has a routine she follows with skincare. The most important factor in having radiant and glowing skin is to use your products with consistency, the same as you eat healthy and go to the gym to see physical results. Make your skincare work for you by finding products you love, such as Madara Cosmetics, and then set aside 5-10 minutes each night to pamper yourself to get that radiant skin.

I feel for you fellow sister. Having bad skin can ruin your condolence in no time and I’ve personally been through it all from Proactiv, to Accutane, Spirolactin, to wearing no makeup and everything in between. I hope you loved learning about my secrets that you can start with TODAY to see clearer, more radiant skin!

I’d love to know: what skincare tips do you swear by?

Xoxo,

Nikki

The post 12 Habits of Women With Radiant Skin appeared first on Nikki Sharp.

Adulting: Life Hacks To Get Your Sh*t Together

I know this doesn’t come as ANY surprise, because you’ve already binge-listened to the entire season one of # adulting and learned so much from all the experts that Zack and I had on. But just in case…

Season two of Adulting: Life Hacks To Get Your Shit Together  comes out TOMORROW! That’s Tuesday, November 20th in case you get back to front on your dates like me.

http://www.nikkisharp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/adulting.mp4

 

So why does this matter?

I’m so glad you asked! This show is all about interviewing experts across different fields to provide you with the most complete understanding of what health really means, how to get your finances in order, what exercise is best for you and so.much.more. Season two is an incredibly comprehensive look into some issues that many of us are facing right now and direct ways to overcome them.

Subscribe Here

Adulting – what it means to get your sh*t together

Season one was all about interviewing experts such as

Dr. Mark Hyman (why is it so DAMN expensive to be healthy?!)

Max Lugavere (Raw, Keto, Vegan, Paleo…WTF do we eat?)

Eileen Kelly (Is it bad to fake an orgasm? And other burning sex questions)

and so many other incredible people.

The topics ranged from medicinal mushrooms and what health trends are BS to the biggest money tips to becoming a #richbitch.

Zack Peter and myself are SO proud of this show because we are asking the questions that you want answers to!

Season 2: What’s new?

 

 

This season on Adulting we have upgraded our look, ourselves, and the conversations we are having. We feel more mature from last season and with that comes a whole new host of problems that we as adults face while adulting.

What should you expect?

Subscribe Here

Many of you came to me with questions about feeling like a fraud / imposter syndrome, so we are breaking that down both with a solo episode with Zack and myself, as well as asking a few of our top notch guests. We dive into toxic relationships and how they are harming you and how to overcome them in your life. This season we are exploring how to grow your brand by interviewing a billion dollar company, how to deal with haters, and how to start attracting the love you want and deserve.

We’re talking about sex, tantra, failures and dealing with family during the holidays. But you’ll have to just stay tuned for it all this season.

Episodes 1-3 are coming out TOMORROW (November 20) so head over to iTunes and subscribe if you haven’t already! You won’t want to miss a single episode!

 

Season 2 Adulting – Episode 1: Going Through The Shit

Season 2 Adulting – Episode 2: The Power Of Giving Zero F*cks With Goop

Season 2 Adulting – Episode 3: How Do I Turn My Passion Into A Billion Dollar Business?

Subscribe Here

I’d love to know what you thought of season one. What were your favorite episodes?

Xoxo,

Nikki

 

The post Adulting: Life Hacks To Get Your Sh*t Together appeared first on Nikki Sharp.

5 Ways To Feel More Fulfilled In Life

“Are you fulfilled in life?”

This is such a simple question, yet it normally does not have a very simple answer. However, before I get into the spiritual and emotional aspect of this question, as well as the 5 ways to feel more fulfilled in life, let me take you back to what made me decide to write about this.

Yesterday, I was in a yoga class when the teacher asked us what we seek in our life and what was our intention for that practice. Whenever you are setting an intention, wether it’s in yoga, as a daily practice, or if you are trying to achieve a goal, I always recommend to choose the FIRST thing that comes to mind. The beauty in this, is that choosing the very first thing that comes up is typically exactly what you need in that moment. We just tend to overthink, or let the monkey mind take charge, and tell us that our answer was wrong and we begin to second guess ourselves.

My very first thought for what do I seek in life and want to put as my intention for my yoga practice? It was like my mind quietly screamed at me:

f u l f i l l e d

During the whole yoga class I began pondering what fulfillment actually means and when you know that you have it. Is it a state of being? Doing? Is it happiness that comes from achieving a goal? Or is it simply being present in the moment and feeling content? Whatever the answer is (and I do believe all of these are correct, depending on who you ask), I realized that I was not fully certain of my own fulfillment in my life.

Now, I am incredibly happy with who I am, my spiritual journey, my friends, family, career, and all that I’m doing. On a day to day basis I feel very fulfilled – or so I think. But it did make me wonder where I am fulfilled and where I might be needing a little extra TLC towards my life. So I decided to meditate and see what came up and low and behold, I found myself rushing to the computer to share ways to help you all feel more fulfilled, including a little worksheet that I created today.

I do believe these will work to help you achieve your dreams, attract the love you want, or to be happier in your daily life. The main thing to remember? You have to do the work to see the results. So download my handout, answer the questions, and start doing the other tips I share to see results immediately!

5 ways to feel more fulfilled in life

Do a gratitude journal. For one week, write down 5 things each day (morning or night) that you are grateful for. They can be as big or small as you want. Examples can include: I am grateful for the roof over my head, for spending time with my children and laughing today, for eating a healthy meal, for meditating, etc.
Question yourself. The guide I have created is a great way to start seeing where you already feel happy and content (and even might not know it) and also challenges you to think about what you really need. Very similar to the gratitude journal, this helps you to see what is going well in your life and what additions you can make. Download the Fulfilled worksheet
Prioritize your time. Give your attention to those who lift you up and make you feel good about yourself. There’s no point in spending energy sucks, or those who you keep putting off. When you start to filter where you spend your time, you’ll find that you actually get more done and feel good about each person you see.
Set limits on social media. There’s no faster way to feel bad about yourself then sitting on social media and falling into the comparison vortex. Combating this is easy: set the night mode on your phone from 10pm until 8am and you won’t get notifications during this time. Put your phone away an hour before bed and use the first hour in the morning to focus on you, which can be journaling, meditating, getting ready for work. Putting limits on what notifications you receive and how long you spend on your phone dramatically improve your happiness and fulfillment in your own life
Channel your energy into a creative outlet. When was the last time you did something that you enjoy, such as singing or drawing, and did it out of pure enjoyment? Think about what you used to love as a kid as a starting point, or something that you’d like to learn, then begin by signing up for a class, joining a meet up group, or picking up an old passion. Doing this will help you to feel creative, expressive and find happiness in something outside of your day to day life.

 

I’d love to know if any of this resonates with you. Do you already do the things on the list or are there other ways you swear by? Drop me a line below and share!

 

The post 5 Ways To Feel More Fulfilled In Life appeared first on Nikki Sharp.

5 Ways To Feel More Fulfilled In Life

“Are you fulfilled in life?”

This is such a simple question, yet it normally does not have a very simple answer. However, before I get into the spiritual and emotional aspect of this question, as well as the 5 ways to feel more fulfilled in life, let me take you back to what made me decide to write about this.

Yesterday, I was in a yoga class when the teacher asked us what we seek in our life and what was our intention for that practice. Whenever you are setting an intention, wether it’s in yoga, as a daily practice, or if you are trying to achieve a goal, I always recommend to choose the FIRST thing that comes to mind. The beauty in this, is that choosing the very first thing that comes up is typically exactly what you need in that moment. We just tend to overthink, or let the monkey mind take charge, and tell us that our answer was wrong and we begin to second guess ourselves.

My very first thought for what do I seek in life and want to put as my intention for my yoga practice? It was like my mind quietly screamed at me:

f u l f i l l e d

During the whole yoga class I began pondering what fulfillment actually means and when you know that you have it. Is it a state of being? Doing? Is it happiness that comes from achieving a goal? Or is it simply being present in the moment and feeling content? Whatever the answer is (and I do believe all of these are correct, depending on who you ask), I realized that I was not fully certain of my own fulfillment in my life.

Now, I am incredibly happy with who I am, my spiritual journey, my friends, family, career, and all that I’m doing. On a day to day basis I feel very fulfilled – or so I think. But it did make me wonder where I am fulfilled and where I might be needing a little extra TLC towards my life. So I decided to meditate and see what came up and low and behold, I found myself rushing to the computer to share ways to help you all feel more fulfilled, including a little worksheet that I created today.

I do believe these will work to help you achieve your dreams, attract the love you want, or to be happier in your daily life. The main thing to remember? You have to do the work to see the results. So download my handout, answer the questions, and start doing the other tips I share to see results immediately!

5 ways to feel more fulfilled in life

Do a gratitude journal. For one week, write down 5 things each day (morning or night) that you are grateful for. They can be as big or small as you want. Examples can include: I am grateful for the roof over my head, for spending time with my children and laughing today, for eating a healthy meal, for meditating, etc.
Question yourself. The guide I have created is a great way to start seeing where you already feel happy and content (and even might not know it) and also challenges you to think about what you really need. Very similar to the gratitude journal, this helps you to see what is going well in your life and what additions you can make. Download the Fulfilled worksheet
Prioritize your time. Give your attention to those who lift you up and make you feel good about yourself. There’s no point in spending energy sucks, or those who you keep putting off. When you start to filter where you spend your time, you’ll find that you actually get more done and feel good about each person you see.
Set limits on social media. There’s no faster way to feel bad about yourself then sitting on social media and falling into the comparison vortex. Combating this is easy: set the night mode on your phone from 10pm until 8am and you won’t get notifications during this time. Put your phone away an hour before bed and use the first hour in the morning to focus on you, which can be journaling, meditating, getting ready for work. Putting limits on what notifications you receive and how long you spend on your phone dramatically improve your happiness and fulfillment in your own life
Channel your energy into a creative outlet. When was the last time you did something that you enjoy, such as singing or drawing, and did it out of pure enjoyment? Think about what you used to love as a kid as a starting point, or something that you’d like to learn, then begin by signing up for a class, joining a meet up group, or picking up an old passion. Doing this will help you to feel creative, expressive and find happiness in something outside of your day to day life.

 

I’d love to know if any of this resonates with you. Do you already do the things on the list or are there other ways you swear by? Drop me a line below and share!

 

The post 5 Ways To Feel More Fulfilled In Life appeared first on Nikki Sharp.

Win a FREE TRIP to Mexico!

Sun, sand, playing on the beach… oh and doing yoga and cooking with me. What could sound better? If you’ve been in need of a holiday then I have an INCREDIBLE opportunity for you! You can win an all-inclusive FREE trip to Mexico to stay at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit September 6-9th, 2018.

Come for free by entering here

When you think about Mexico, what comes to mind?

For me… it’s relaxing while watching the sunset, having a cocktail, and swimming in the ocean. Having freshly made dinner while listening to great live music and then heading back to your room where you swan dive into the sort of bed only a luxury hotel can offer.

Now, add on healthy juices, workouts on the beach, learning yoga and vegan cooking from yours truly, and some incredible sessions with healers from all over America.

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. Mexico.

All for free.

If you haven’t read about the Wellness Getaway this upcoming September, then click HERE to get all the juicy details. What’s even better is that they are offering a totally free stay for one lucky guest (+1) to experience everything from cacao ceremonies, to sound healings, to acro yoga, to HIIT training on the beach. All you do is enter your email and the hotel will randomly be choosing one winner to have the escape of a lifetime.

Join me for free!

ENTER HERE. The contest goes until August 12 and no other information is needed but your name and email. I truly cannot wait to spend time with you in Mexico where we will ride horses into the sunset and sip on cocktails, juices, do yoga together and just enjoy life! (Okay…all except the horses… although I’m sure we could figure this out too!)

Leave a comment below if you have questions or send me an email nikki@nikkisharp.com if you’d like to book it!

XOXO,

Nikki

PS- If you don’t believe you can still drink alcohol and be healthy, listen to my latest podcast of #ADULTING where Zack Peter and I break down why it’s OKAY to drink alcohol even if you’re on the healthy bandwagon. We give our tips, tricks, and hangover cures. And, stay tuned as we’re launching a Drinking Guide in a few days with even more #boozehacks.

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