What does “being bold” mean to you?

Although it may sound cliché, the new year is the perfect time to think about what you want to do, who you want to be, and what you want to accomplish in the next 12 months. For many, we often don’t take the time throughout the year to consider these things so thoughtfully until now. Figuring out how you want to improve, new things you want to try, and places you want to visit seem to get buried beneath work, family, friends, and the everyday tasks of life.

That’s why it’s important to take this time in the beginning of each year to thoughtfully reflect on some changes you might want to make in your life.

So what are you waiting for?

Is this the year you learn a new language, master a cooking skill, advance your makeup skills, or finally take the plunge and switch careers?

We want to encourage you to make 2016 the year of bold moves.

Bold Changes to Make in 2016

Being bold in the new year doesn’t mean you have to do something extravagant or life-changing necessarily.

It can be as simple as wanting to write in a journal everyday or take a class you’re interested in learning more about. As long as you’re challenging yourself and figuring out what you want out of the new year, then we’d consider that being bold.

If you’re looking for a little inspiration, we’ve compiled a list to get you thinking…

1. Learn a new language

Knowing more than one language makes you aware of other cultures and cities. It’s exciting and frustrating all at once, but being able to speak to someone else in their native language is almost always time and energy well-spent. Decide what language you want to study and go for it! Bonus points for when you decide in 2017 that you’re actually going to visit the country of language you studied.

2. Travel somewhere you’ve always wanted to go

You don’t have to go to a foreign country for this one. Maybe you’ve always wanted to visit a city close by or a state that’s only a road trip away. The bottom line, whether it’s near or far, traveling can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. It gives you perspective and balance, and also makes you appreciate where you’re from, and helps you look at where you might want to end up.

3. Find a hobby that makes you happy

As kids, most of us likely tested our skills at different sports, played in the band, possibly exercised our speech skills in debate club, tried the theater, or some other club or class that kept us busy. As we get older though, these extracurricular activities tend to fade away, and we find that between work or school, friends and family, our schedules are pretty booked up. Finding a hobby that makes you happy and that gives you a sense of excitement is rewarding and good for the soul.

4. Take time to yourself every day

This seems to be very hard for most of us to do. Whether it’s ten minutes every morning, a yoga session, or a nightly prayer, there are endless ways to reflect on yourself and think about the day ahead or the day you just had. Taking this little time to yourself each day will help keep you calm and centered.

5. Adopt an animal

Have you always wanted a pet, but it’s never the “right time?” Chances are it will probably never be the perfect time to bring home a new furry friend, so we think this is the year you just go for it! We also like the idea of adopting, because there’s no better feeling than rescuing an animal in need.

6. Donate your time to a charity or organization

Helping others in need can have a big impact on our own lives. People just want your help and time, it doesn’t matter how much or how little. If this is something that’s always on your list, but seems to fall off sometime in the middle of the year, make this the year that you actually do something about it. Whether you’re helping kids, working at a shelter, planting a garden, picking up trash, or handing out food, there are lots of ways to get involved and give back.

7. Spend more time with family

Our motto this year is going to be, “there is no such thing as too much time.” If you can’t spend the time physically, vowing to pick up a phone every week and call someone in your family is still a bold move. We often take family for granted, knowing that they will always be there for us, but it’s important to take the time or make the call and keep in touch. The happiness this can bring someone always makes this worth doing.

8. Exercise more

We know this is usually on everyone’s list in the beginning of the year, but even if you’re not into going to a gym, there are other ways you can get a good workout. Between niche studios, exercise classes, and being outdoors, there are plenty of options to choose from. Picking one you actually love and think you will continue to go to is the key. Plus, exercising will boost endorphins, making you happier and ready to take on each and every day!

9. Save money

Maybe you wouldn’t consider this a bold move, but saving money can be a hard thing to do. There is always the pressure and feeling of wanting to spend what you make, but saving money can actually be more rewarding, (especially in the long run!). Putting more money away this year has the potential to make you feel more satisfied, especially if you have some specific goals you’re trying to reach, like saving for college or retirement (or better yet, that dream vacation in the Bahamas!).

10. Make a promise to yourself, and keep it

This can be the hardest thing of all to accomplish. Often times we say we’ll do this more, or do this less often, or think about what we want to do but without following through. If you tell yourself you’re going to do something, make a promise to yourself that you actually will, and then do it! Don’t let your own self stand in the way of doing something you’ve told yourself you want to accomplish.

Sometimes being bold can be as simple as upping your beauty game…

Go Bold with your Beauty Game

You’re being bold this year, so why not use this same mindset and step up your beauty game.

Again, going bold doesn’t have to mean bright colors or lots of makeup. It just means stepping outside your comfort zone a little bit. Maybe you’ve always wanted to try a red lipstick, or wear a cheek stain, or try a sultry eye look. The bottom line is, whatever your beauty resolution is, channel your inner makeup artist and start experimenting!

And speaking of bold moves, one trend we’re looking forward to trying even more of in the new year is the bold brow trend. With eyebrow gel fading away, and eyebrow powder becoming an even bigger trend in the past couple of years, our makeup resolution is the bigger the better when it comes to brows. Eyebrow powder is the most natural way to get thicker, bolder brows, and celebrities, trendsetters, and makeup artists have learned how to shape eyebrows and do the bold brow trend right. We, along with everyone else, can’t seem to get enough of it, and are looking forward to seeing even more of the bold brow in 2016.

How are you going to be bold this year? Are you going to try a new makeup trend, tell someone you love them, or ask for that promotion at work? Tell us your resolutions in the comments section below!

Stay In the Know

We can’t wait to hear what you’re going to do this year! Check back next week as we talk about our favorite beauty icons.

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