Life strategies for happiness, success & balance
3 Tools for Creating Your Best Year Ever
Hi friends!! The New Year is here, the excitement of a fresh, new start is in the air, and I’m super inspired to share some of my very favorite empowering resources with you to help you create your best year ever!
But before we get to my fave go-to places for New Year’s inspiration, I wanted to share my resolutions with you. Feel free to adopt them as your own. 
First, I plan to simplify and live with less. I’m pretty good about clearing clutter and clearing my home of things that are no longer of use, but this year I desire to amp it up big time!
I plan to donate or give away much more. Things that are no longer serving me, things carrying even the tiniest bit of negative energy, and stuff that’s just taking up space for no real reason.
My goal is to get down to only what I need or truly love. Awesome idea, right? Everything else is getting tossed. I couldn’t be more over-the-top excited about this! (I’ve started with chipped dishes, mismatched coffee mugs, and old, out-dated electronics. Basically, shiz that has no purpose for being in my space. LOL!
My second resolution is to be more focused on aligning intention with action. Many times we come up with great ideas, places we’d like to visit, things we’d like to do or learn – but those things don’t come around because there is no action taken to make them happen. I’ve got several things I’ve been meaning to experience for some time, and this year is all about taking action and makin’ stuff happen. Yes!
I recommend writing your goals/resolutions down and keeping them somewhere you can reference them regularly throughout the year. Limit them to one or two doable items, and then go for it!
And… now it’s time to check out some of my favorite, delicious tools & resources for creating your best year ever ~ I know you’ll love them as much as I do! I’ve featured them below ~ they’re all under $20 and some are freeeee!
Happy, beautiful 2013 to you! So excited to create major bliss with you this year!
Love, bliss, & sparkly things ~ Kristi
3 Tools for Creating Your Best Year Ever!
Leonie Dawson’s 2013 Create Your Incredible Life Workbooks + Calendars. I love them! I use them myself to create both my personal and professional plans for the coming year.
You will absolutely love and be inspired by what Leonie has created for you! Leonie is super dynamic and a gifted coach & artist. Check out these inspiring beauties here (and Leonie also has tons of yummy free goodies on her site too!).
Hay House events, books, and online audio programs. I highly recommend the I Can Do It conferences Hay House puts on several time a year in different cities. The lineups of inspiring speakers are truly fantastic, and the tools and ideas offered can be life-changing!
What’s awesome is that if you love the lineup at an event and can’t be there live, you can get the online video stream right at home for a great price! I did this for one of the I Can Do It Ignite events last year and LOVED it! I sipped hot tea, curled up in my home office and soaked up some fantastic wisdom. Check out all that Hay House has to offer (I love shopping for gifts through Hay House too!).
Aspire Magazine – I’m a big fan of publisher and transformational leader Linday Joy’s awesome online magazine, Aspire. It’s packed with super inspiring, love-rich content every month, and it’s totally FREE to subscribe! (Free is always awesome!)
You can check it out & sign up for your free digital subscription here. Each issue offers pages and pages of rich wisdom to help women live happier, more authentic lives. Love love love!
Are You Living With Hidden Negative Energy?
Recently, on a long flight home over the holidays, I discovered something that really got me thinking. Sometimes very small, even unnoticed things we allow in our lives are covertly draining our energy and adding negative vibes to our existence.
Squished into a tiny window seat on the plane and making the best of it, I had decided to go through and delete numbers and addresses from my phone that I knew weren’t good anymore. People that had moved, changed phone numbers, or whatever. I was sure there were at least a handful of them in there.
What I found surprised and even startled me a bit. There were tons and tons of contacts that had no purpose taking up space in my phone, or my life, any longer. Some of them were ten years old. People I’d worked with on a single project a decade ago, a few toxic people I’d distanced myself from years prior, duplicate entries (can you say clutter?), and, embarrassed to admit it, but even a few people I’d put in by first name and had no idea who they were.
What really struck me is that some of the names even packed a little sting when I looked at them. I’ve let go of many difficult things from the past, so why was I letting some of those things come calling again via reminders in my address book? I wondered why I’d let all these entries I no longer needed exist in my phone for so long. Part of me wanted to kick myself (step-off, inner-mean girl!). But instead, I decided to see it as a lesson.
As minor as it seems, all those unneeded contacts had been like tiny little flashes of negative energy every time I had to scroll through the names in my phone. I wondered where else in my life I was allowing overlooked clutter or negative reminders to detract from my positive energy. I went on a mission to seek and eliminate.
There was more. Much more. In previously ignored piles of papers in my desk drawers (old tax bills and expired coupons), in a filing cabinet in my garage (hospital records that were over fifteen years old), and even in my jewelry box (lonely single earrings that had been missing the matches for at least a year and were sad to look at). The keyboard for my Mac was screaming to be cleaned. Typing away on a dirty keyboard was definitely not helping my creativity.
I also realized that some of the things that had been radiating energy-sucking vibes in my life were actually things that I hadn’t wanted to let go of before. Piles of photos from long-past relationships, old X-rays and medical records from surgeries that happened years ago. I realized that having these things around wasn’t serving me in any positive way. On top of that, simply by existing in my personal space, they were quietly draining tiny bits of my positive energy the way a nail slowly drains the air from a tire. It may not happen right away, but eventually the tire goes flat. Or blows.
Since this major ah-ha moment, I’ve been on a little mission. Each time I come across something in my life that no longer serves me or doesn’t in some way add positive energy, I immediately chuck, donate, clean, or shred. It’s an entirely new and deeper level of clutter busting. I’ve made it part of my self-care practice and it’s been surprisingly empowering.
Where in your life are you tolerating hidden negative energy? Look closely. What you discover might amaze you and leave you scratching your head.
An athlete looks to eliminate any miniscule thing that drains energy or might hinder performance. We should do the same for ourselves in our everyday lives. Why continue settling for less? Seek, identify, eliminate, and watch the light in your life shine even brighter.
Share on Facebook Read MoreTips for Blissful Holidays
Happy holidays Friends!
Hoping your holidays are full of bliss, love, and delicious happenings so far!
With the holiday season in full swing, I wanted to share some things with you that I always do this time of year to help make sure I’m on the best possible path for an incredible holiday season & New Year. It’s all about simplicity, balance, and getting inspired! Here we go:
1) I LOOOVE me a paper calendar. I always have one on my desk, and I use it for notes, appointments, and creative doodling. I always get a new calendar in December and make a date with myself to go through and write in it for the coming year… special dates, notes, goals, and all that good stuff.
It’s a simple and empowering ritual that gives me a clear vision for the year to come, as well as time to think about and focus on what my heart TRULY wants.
2) I buy thoughtful gifts online in advance and keep it simple. I HEART Hay House for books, card decks, magnets and more. Check out their “Stocking Stuffer” section for thoughtful ideas. I can always find gifts that will inspire here! When I go to parties, I always like to bring bottles of San Pellegrino. They’re unexpected and always welcome (not to mention, they’re glam and super affordable!).
3) I schedule a holiday party for one – ME! I always set aside an evening at home alone the week before Christmas. I take a long bath, read, enjoy a glass of vino, and basically do whatever I want for an entire night. Talk about bliss! I tune out holiday stress, forget about obligations, and rock yummy oversized flannel PJ’s! This really puts me in a fab place and preps me to sail into the new year feeling renewed.
I recommend putting this on your calendar at least a week in advance, making necessary arrangements, and letting your loved ones know that you’ll be busy with a very important date that night. 
No matter how you celebrate this season, be sure to take time for you. Simplify, focus on love, and get ready for an amazing New Year!
Love & bliss,
Kristi
Share on Facebook Read More3 Important Truths About Happiness
If you ask ten different people how to achieve happiness, it’s very likely you will receive ten different answers. Everyone has different views and thoughts about what makes them happy, and in some ways, it’s definitely a uniquely personal journey. However, there are some universal keys and skills for living a truly happy life that can make all the difference.
Personally, I believe happiness should be a subject they teach in school, starting at an early age. It is, after all, one of our most important life skills, if not the most important. There are proven methods and techniques for being fundamentally happy which can be learned and practiced just like playing the piano. But, unfortunately, unlike piano lessons, happiness lessons aren’t something we commonly engage in.
Growing up, we’re misled to believe that happiness comes to us through success, material things, relationships, achievements, and other external sources. While these things can be wonderful and can contribute to a happy life, they’re only bricks and are not part of the foundation of happiness.
Building a foundation for living a fundamentally happy life across the board takes deliberate effort, knowledge, practice, and the development of habits that support happiness from within, even through dark times.
Like so many, I spent years and years of my life as an achievement junkie, chasing happiness, finding it in small, temporary doses through external sources. While these things would bring temporary highs, I would always find myself returning to a basic setting of lack and emotional mediocrity.
It wasn’t until my early thirties that I finally realized my strategy wasn’t working. I finally changed course, turned within, and through dedicated practice and working with some wildly inspiring mentors, I discovered how to change my core emotional setting to one of overall happiness and peace. Since then, my life has drastically changed. I no longer go through long periods of darkness, there are more good days because I have learned to create them that way, and I have a much easier time bouncing back from setbacks and hard times.
While there are many elements to building a foundation for lasting happiness, including the practices of mindfulness, gratitude, self-acceptance, and love, there are three important truths about happiness that have stood out to me as things that often go unrecognized, but once understood, can change the way we think about and approach happiness.
The first is that being sad now and then is actually part of a happy, balanced life. It’s a complete myth that truly happy people never feel depressed, defeated, or distraught. On top of this, we often tend to beat ourselves up for having these feelings instead of surrendering and allowing them to flow through. It’s about learning to recognize that there are valuable lessons to be learned from any life situation, and knowing that underneath everything you are guided and loved. It’s also about going within and feeling grateful for those opportunities, and learning how to deliberately find joy, even in the smallest doses, during the tough situations.
People often ask me how I am so damn happy all the time. The answer is I’m not, but I have leaned to find joy, peace, and lessons within the sad times, which helps me bounce back that much faster.
The second truth is that being happy is a way of life that takes deliberate hard work, concentration, and practice. Sometimes you even have to struggle and fight for it by defending personal boundaries and making hard decisions. The good news is that the more you work at it, the better you get and it will begin to come naturally. There are happiness muscles, and the more you work them and keep working them, the stronger they get and the more they will support you. This is a concept I wish I’d come to know much earlier in life.
You can learn to be a happier person just like you can lean to play a game of chess. In chess, you learn and develop skills and strategies for setting yourself up for success, deciding exactly what to do when pieces are lost, and how to bounce back when the going gets tough. Being happy works very much the same.
Finally, being happy is much more physical than you would think. It’s true that it comes from within, but everything physical, from what you eat to physical activity to simple physical acts like cracking a smile affect energy levels and brain chemistry, directly impacting our level of happiness. Aristotle said, “Happiness is a state of activity.” He was absolutely right. Happiness is not just something we feel, it’s something we do.
Next time you feel down or anxiety ridden, think activity. Start working on a project you’ve been putting off, get some exercise, meditate, put on some music and do a happy dance, down some ultra healthy food, even just move around a bit and do some stretching. The results are immediate. Do these things daily and your level of overall happiness will increase drastically.
Take on the challenge of building yourself a solid foundation of happiness practices and skills that will be there to support you in living your happiest life. Ultimately, being happy is a conscious choice we must make on a daily (and sometimes even moment by moment) basis.
You can absolutely change your internal setting to one that idles regularly on happiness and joy, but it does take effort. Be willing. Make it a project. Start with small changes. Read books on how to be happy to see what resonates with you. Create practices in your life that make you feel happy, keep them up, and don’t beat yourself up for not being perfect at it. We’re all works in progress, which is part of what makes life a beautiful adventure.
Love & bliss,
Kristi
(Re-printed from Kristi’s Huffington Post column )
Share on Facebook Read MoreFree Teleclass: 5 Keys to Be Perpetually Irresistible!
Ready to get your mojo back this fall?? Read on! Okay, so the last couple of months have been a little bumpy for me. My personal life is going through some transitions, I’m preparing to move in the coming months, and I’ve been working super hard on several (awesome!) new projects. I’ve been feeling a little depleted…a bit like I was losing my mojo! Can you relate?
I wanted bounce back and gain some new skills to bring back my zing, raise my energy, and even pick up some tips to bring some zip into my love life. So, I called my friend Marni Battista, who is one of Los Angeles’ hottest love, life, & business coaches.
Marni founded Dating With Dignity and quickly gained a reputation as a “butt-kicking coach with compassion”. Exactly what I need right now! (Yep, even coaches need coaches!)
Well, Marni is so awesome she not only agreed to help me out, but she agreed to co-host host a f-r-e-e teleclass with me as a bonus for my bliss peeps so you could all join in! How amazing is that?
I invite you to join us on the call this Thursday, October 11th at 5:30 pacific and pick up some of Marni’s life-changing tips for developing and sustaining happiness, quality relationships, and a fantastic love life! It’s time to get IRRESISTIBLE!
This call is for all the single ladies, as well as women in relationships who want to take it up a notch. It will bring super positive new energy to all areas of your life! Guys, you’re free to listen in for some great insight, and please forward this to the women in your life who might enjoy it!
On this free 60-minute call, we will learn:
- How to ditch women’s #1 mojo busting myth (this paradigm is responsible for 99% of any frustrations you are having at work or in the bedroom)…
- How to release the stale emotional baggage blocking your ability to connect with a mate on deeper levels…
- How to shed relationship and personal stress faster and more sustainably (a powerful mantra)…
- How to avoid making the biggest mistake most nurturing women make
- How to navigate “The Gap” and become more attractive from the inside out…
- Many more of Marni’s proven strategies for dramatically improving your confidence and relationship with yourself!
We’re going to dig down and ignite the magic energetic qualities that empower us to be our best!
I hope you’ll join me on this fantastic no-cost teleclass I’m co-hosting with Marni Battista this coming week! If you can’t be on live, we’ll send you the audio! (click here for registration details).
Marni’s clients pay her up to $500/hr for 1-1 coaching, so I know this free call is going to give us a ton of value!
Even if you can’t make the time slot, register anyway so that we can send you the replay audio afterward!
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COMPLIMENTARY TELECLASS
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Title: 5 Keys to Being Perpetually Irresistible
Hosted by: Kristi Blicharski & Marni Battista
Cost: no cost!
Registration Details: CLICK HERE!
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Share on Facebook Read More3 Things To Do When Everything Sucks
A sign outside of one of my favorite restaurants in Hawaii. Love this!
I can’t tell you how excited I am for fall. It’s my favorite season! There is something about the feeling in the air and the changing of the colors in nature that is so unbelievably inspiring to me.
Fall is usually a time when things in my life seem to be going really well. But here’s the deal – many things haven’t been going my way lately. Actually, there has been a lot of really negative shiz coming at me that I’ve been navigating and working to bounce back from. Sometimes life doesn’t just throw you lemons, it throws you grenades. LOL
So – what to do when it seems like everything is crap? How do you stay happy and healthy through it? There are a number of tools and ideas that I use to help me during challenging times, and they make a tremendous difference!
Here’s one thing I know for sure: When things don’t go your way, there will be another way… a better way. It just may not be clear immediately. The key is to trust, stay open, and love yourself through all of it.
Three things to do when it seems like everything sucks:
1) Step in to big-time self care mode. I’m talking amp it up in major ways! We should always be in self-care and self-love mode, but when things get tough, extra self-care can make a huge difference for your health, happiness, and sanity.
So, don’t just schedule one yoga class, massage, or long walk in nature – schedule many! Indulge without guilt. Take a mental health day (trust me, the world will not end if you do this). Take hot baths with salts, call friends who make you laugh, watch a favorite movie with a ginormous bowl of your favorite comfort food. Focus your energy on treating yourself like the fabulous rock star that you are! This will not only help you release anxiety and bounce back faster, it will also help you stay strong, positive, and productive through the storm. How can you amp up your self care?
2) Go into super healthy eating mode. What you eat has a tremendous impact on how you feel. It affects your anxiety levels, happiness meter, and of course your physical and emotional energy.
I generally work to eat super healthy most all the time. I’m all about greens, smoothies, and other healthy goodies. But, I’m not always perfect in this area (and that’s ok!). I sometimes like to indulge in stuff like coffee, dark chocolate, and (gulp) marshmallow bars from Starbucks (omg, they are so freakin yummy!). However, when times get tough, I amp it up to compensate for the extra stress my mind and body is experiencing.
I hit the juice – green juice – big time. I make sure not to miss my supplements, cut out sugar, and double up on the healthy salads and water with lemon. This not only helps me stay healthier though the tough times, but it also gives me the great feeling of taking charge of something I CAN control, instead of focusing on the stuff I can’t.
3) Step outside of your regular zone. Do something different. It doesn’t have to be anything huge, dramatic, or requiring a ton of effort. One of my favorite tools when I feel blue or stressed is to just jump up and dance around the room for a minute or two. Blast some disco on Pandora and just jump around! I smile the whole time and within a couple of minutes I feel like a new person! This also works great for busting afternoon fatigue.
And, if you’re inspired, feel free to make it epic if that’s what’s calling you! If you’ve got the energy and time, do something totally crazy! Last week, I booked a last minute trip and spent 4 days in Waikiki. I literally said “eff it!” — booked it, packed, and went. I brought my laptop so I could work on the trip, and had a blast doing it. Hawaii is one of my happy places, and I came back renewed, ready to face what was waiting.
Create a list of additional steps you can take to take the best possible care of yourself. Not just when stress levels boil over, but all the time. Then, when things are tough, kick it up! Also, if you haven’t checked out my 3 S’s, read about this simple happiness tool here and add it to your routine.
Do you have tips on navigating and bouncing back from tough times? Share them below. Let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you!
Love & bliss,
Kristi
Share on Facebook Read MoreThe Power of Your Expectations
Much of the way we experience our day comes from what we expect of it. Expect amazing things today and it will be. Expect crap and that’s what you’ll get. It’s pretty simple.
Last week I took a day off to go paddleboarding in Malibu for my birthday. It was totally delicious. The water was gorgeous, the sun was shining, and a pod of dolphins came close to us, jumping and playing. I had looked forward to this for days.
I can tell you for sure that one thing that helped make it so fabulous was that I expected it to be! In the days leading it up to going, I was making statements like, “I’m going paddleboarding on Thursday. It’s going to be amazing!”
I grew up with a major fear of the ocean. I wouldn’t even go in past my knees. For a Southern California girl, this is a bit of a problem, as you might imagine. Years ago, I finally set my mind to overcoming the fear and now jump at any opportunity to get in the water. But, to be honest, there is still a sneaky little bugger inside of me that will creep in and stir up anxiety when I’m faced with going into open ocean far from the shore.
That little bugger was tempting me to make statements like, “I’m a little nervous I might fall in,” or “Going that far from the shore can be scary.” I guarantee if that were the mindset I’d been in prior to hitting the water, it would have drastically changed my experience. But, I chose to ignore that negative $h*%, and instead chose to expect a fantastic experience. And it was.
Our expectations for the day usually begin in the morning. When you wake up, be conscious about the statements you’re making and the thoughts you’re choosing about the day ahead. If you’re thinking, “That marketing meeting this afternoon is going to suck big time,” you’re not only setting yourself up for a negative experience, you’re also putting out low vibrations that affect other aspects of life too. Changing your outlook and expectation can literally change the experience.
This isn’t to say that everything will always turn out the way we expect it to. That would be a boring! Just that our expectations play a huge role in shaping the way we live – the richness, the light, the lessons, and the joy.
So, when it comes to creating a fantastic life, be sure to add setting high-quality, positive expectations to your happiness toolbox. Expect awesomeness. Expect fantastic experiences. Expect an amazing, delicious, joyful life and it will be.
Much love & bliss,
~ Kristi