Feeling alive, radiant, and light in my emotions and body are some of the key things I believe give someone internal happiness and external charisma.

Underlying notions of aliveness, radiance, and lightness are confidence, warmth, and a deep inner friendship with yourself.

I have found that feeling alive, radiant,and light DAILY is much more a result of our little action and the way we give ourselves permission to live out the pleasurable nuances of life than the big decisions, the grand gestures, the vacations and big scale luxuries. And that’s great news, because it means we can choose something small, inexpensive, and simple each and every single day to promote our own well-being and happiness.

Here is a list of 10 things I do to create the space for myself to feel alive, radiant, and happy. You will see it's all anchored in pleasure, joy, and fun.

1. I always walk in the sunny side of the road.

Not just for vitamin D purposes but because I feel like I'm soaking up the radiance of the sun and can then shine it right back out into my environment, to my loved ones and to my clients.

2. I find unique jewelry and clothing patterns that make me feel different, a tad exotic, and like my very own creation of who I am.

My husband sometimes calls me his hippy wife; in all lovingness lol. Feeling free to express how you feel in the way you dress feels super enlivening and special.

3. I cook with different spices.

What makes life more exciting than a delicious meal?!? Personally I'm not a fan of bland food and so I stock up on spices like cumin, turmeric, cilantro, ginger, cardamon, cinnamon, paprika, basil, and oregano. A well flavored meal is pure pleasure for your senses and inspires your thoughts and actions.

4. I apply my lotions and body oils slowly and gentle.

My intention to really nourish and feel every angle, rounding, and curving of my unique body. I pay especially loving attention to the areas I used to staple as my “weak” or “ugly” areas.

5. I wake up to light versus an alarm clock.

My husband gave me an alarm clock that is a light that starts to become brighter very slowly starting 30 minutes before my actual wake-up time. The awesome thing is that I now naturally wake up about 5-10 minutes before it makes any sound (and then the wake up sound is birds chirping). This way of waking up softly has changed my life. I love it! The way you start your day is crucial.

6. I plan time to cook and eat my meals as if it was an appointment with the Swedish royals.

Alternatively (you know, when the Swedish royals are busy lol), I try to meet my real life friends for lunch ;) I love how creative, rich with ideas, and different my friend are. I truly cherish them as the individuals they are + a meal enjoyed together and without stress is always better, for your body and your mind. (especially for us ladies! Studies show that women release increased amounts of oxytocin -also the hormone released during breast-feeding- when they spend time with other women --> it's great for feeling connected, loved, and supported!)

7. I try my best to not over-schedule my calendar.

Why? I realized that one of the biggest stressors in my life was feeling rushed and behind all the time. There is nothing that kills aliveness, radiance and lightness quicker than being in a hurry. Think about it: It doesn’t give you permission to be present and enjoy the moment.

8. I apply a little bit of blush

I’m not going to lie, some days I feel pretty pasty (thank you NYC winter!), but there is nothing a dabble of peach blush cannot fix. Plus, I love how the soft brush feels against my skin.

9. I get outside every day.

Even if it’s for a quick 20 minute walk. Soaking up fresh air and exposing your skin to natural elements is key in feeling awake. In the summer, I love spending some time in park barefoot, feeling nature right underneath the soles of my feet.

10. I buy flowers and light candles!

This is a small loving act anyone can do for themselves and trust me, it transforms your environment almost instantaneously into one of intention, warmth, and comfort.

In the comments below, I’d love to hear from you: what makes you feel alive, radiant, and light in your body and mind? What’s one small thing you can add to your daily routine?

XX,

Caroline

PS: I wanted to let you know about an amazing FREE video series by my friend and women's hormonal health coach Nicole Jardim called "Bring Back Your Period & Regulate Your Cycle ". If you are struggling with amenorrhea (which is the medical term for having no period at all) or oligomenorrhea (which is super-irregular periods outside of a 25-35 day cycle), Nicole and her free training series Bring Back Your Period & Regulate Your Cycle is for you.

Some of the things you can expect:

What hormonal imbalances are to blame for amenorrhea and irregular periods
What causes these hormonal imbalances to happen in the first place
Period Myth Debunking - get the facts on the right and wrong ways to address these imbalances
Practical solutions to help you get your period back or regulate your cycle once and for all

I am sure I don't have to tell you this -you know this already from our call last week :)- but Nicole is a genius at breaking down the complicated science into easy-to-understand steps that anyone can implement immediately.

Simply sign up here and get the videos straight to your inbox.

Here’s to rockin' hormonal health! XXX