Recalibaration

An Annual Reset of the Mind, Body & Soul

As today marks the beginning of a new year filled with endless possibilities, themes of restarts, recalibrations and the idea of an annual reset naturally come to mind. However, experience has taught me that unless a "reset" has a holistic approach— addressing mind, body, and soul, the likelihood of achieving lasting success is minimal. The concept of recalibration offers a structured approach to pause, reflect, and redirect our energies in a more balanced manner. Essentially, shedding the old and embracing the new—ensuring that all aspects of our being are aligned and geared towards our true purpose and highest sense of self.

Mind

Recalibrating the mind is a key element of any annual reset, where the focus is on cultivating a healthier mindset and maintaining overall mental wellness. The goal is to use this special time as an opportunity to release the negative thought patterns that may have accumulated over the past year, replacing them with more empowering beliefs and a growth-oriented mindset. This “mental reset” may also involve setting new intellectual goals, whether it's learning a new skill, enhancing your knowledge in a particular area, or simply committing to being more open-minded and adaptable to change. In 2023, I expanded beyond what I once thought was conceivable for myself. Embracing openness and challenging the boundaries of my mental capabilities, I traveled to five countries, often on a whim, made the bold decision to leave the corporate world — a decision I previously believed to be unthinkable — and officially launched my coaching business after a year and a half of preparation, i.e. hiding. I tackled learning Dutch, a language which isn’t for the faint of heart given its complexity. Given my Aruban roots, in many ways learning the language is in honor of my dad who I know would be equally proud and shocked! Additionally, I committed to daily meditation early in 2023, and achieved 205 days of consecutive practice according to Insight Timer, marking a significant personal milestone. This year also brought the joy of rekindling connections with close friends and family lost during the pandemic and had the privilege of establishing relationships with like-minded individuals I met along my new professional and personal journey. By pushing my limits and incorporating practices such as meditation and mindfulness, and engaging in new creative and intellectual activities, I improved my mental clarity and focus, cognitive health and emotional well-being tenfold. I made a conscious effort to declutter my thoughts, shifting my focus from worst-case scenario to the best possible outcome and this change in perspective often led to remarkable results and the most exciting, unexpected life experiences.

One of the earliest trips that I took in 2023 was to Paris Valentine's Day weekend. I remember dashing out of the office that Thursday evening like a mad woman rushing to JFK to catch my flight. I was beaming with excitement to meet up with my boyfriend who I had last seen a month prior in Amsterdam. While long distance has its challenges, meeting up every other month in an exciting new city has its advantages and is pretty romantic. On this particular trip I stayed in Montmartre, where I had visited several times over the years to see the Sacré-Cœur and admire the spectacular views of the city, but had never stayed. | As an art lover, when traveling one of my first orders of business is to look up the galleries and museums to see what new exhibits are showing and plan my time accordingly. We made it to the Monet x Joan Mitchell exhibit at The Louis Vuitton Foundation, which was incredible. I highly recommend making the visit when in town. Great programming and beautifully-curated exhibitions. | One of our best meals was lunch at Les Arlots, which is almost hidden at the top of the Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière. It is a quintessential French bistro, but perhaps the most authentic that I have ever visited. It's always a good sign when the locals patronize the establishment, which was certainly the case here. We also had drinks and dinner at Hotel Costes, which is super romantic and more of a scene, but we had a lovely time nonetheless. | Random, but we watched Super Bowl LVII during our visit. My boyfriend had scouted out a few bars where the game was being shown and I expected it to be pretty empty given we are in Paris, right? Boy was I wrong! We walked into this bar and it was packed to the brim with about an equal number of Chiefs and Eagles jerseys being represented and the energy was on level 10. Keep in mind the game started around midnight our time, so it was a long night. The majority of the folks there were Americans and we actually met another couple from New York minutes after arriving. We laughed, we yelled at the monitors and cheered Rihanna on at halftime and stumbled back to our place at almost 5 AM when the game wrapped. It was an incredible game and a night to remember. Prior to the game we had one of the best onion soups that I had ever had. The restaurant escapes me sadly, but if I am able to remember, I will update the post. The moral of the story is that we found as much delight in the "highs" of the weekend in the more sophisticated parts of town as we did the "lows" in a crowded, steamy bar with screaming Americans until the wee hours of the morning. That is essentially how I live my life, balance.

Body

For the body, the new year is an ideal time for a full assessment that extends beyond mere reflection, but focuses on setting and, where possible, exceeding new health goals by comparing the previous year's achievements with the current year's targets. It could involve a detailed analysis of the fitness routines, dietary habits, and sleep patterns to pinpoint areas ready for improvement and establish challenging yet achievable goals for the year ahead. My personal experience with this at the top of 2023 involved increasing my daily water intake and adding more steps to my routine, sometimes reaching up to 15,000 steps on a good day. I committed to cooking healthy, nourishing meals using whole, unprocessed foods for two to three nights each week. I also made a conscious decision to consistently incorporate supplements into my daily routine, enhancing my nutritional intake and overall well-being. While I had used supplements intermittently throughout my adult life, committing to a consistent morning routine in 2023 yielded remarkable results. I feel stronger, more alert, and experience less brain fog, most notably. There have also been noticeable improvements in my outward appearance. I have managed to maintain a healthy weight throughout the year, a change from my usual weight fluctuations, and received comments on the improved condition of my skin, hair and overall youthfulness! Adopting this approach to recalibrate my body's wellness has brought about a remarkable transformation, namely improving my physical health and appearance, as mentioned, while also having a positive effect on my performance across many aspects of my life. And I want to highlight that while there were plenty of days when I didn't hit all of my targets and faced some “misses”, I got right back on track, ensuring that the “miss” didn’t become a habit in and of itself.

This brings me to the significance of accepting the discomfort that often accompanies the pursuit of your wellness objectives. Encountering that initial resistance and the discipline and effort required, especially when adapting to a new fitness routine, sustaining a balanced diet, and achieving consistent rest, presents challenges that will initially push us out of our comfort zone. Recognizing and almost anticipating this discomfort as part of the process is key. By setting realistic yet meaningful goals and preparing for the hurdles they might present, we achieve more than just physical improvement. This approach fosters resilience, an attribute that will enhance our overall wellness and long-term vitality. The goal is to fortify and rejuvenate the body, much like we do with the mind, shaping it into a supportive vessel for our daily tasks and a driving force towards our broader aspirations each day.

---

Soul

Recalibration of the soul can be both an intimate and profound exercise at the start of the year. It involves delving deep into our inner selves to reconnect with our core values, passions, and purpose. This spiritual journey requires you to step back from the daily grind and immerse yourself in practices that nourish the soul. It could involve meditative practices, spiritual rituals, or simply spending quiet time in nature. Engaging in creative activities like painting, writing, or playing music can also be a form of soulful expression and healing. The process, no matter what it may look like for you, is about creating a sense of harmony and balance within, which radiates outward, influencing all aspects of our lives with intent and purpose.

In 2023, a significant part of my journey involved discovering my human design as a "generator," which has attributes such as the ability to generate energy and enthusiasm. Created by Alan Krakower, who published a book in 1992 on the subject under the pseudonym Ra Uru Hu, Human Design is an incredibly specific way to learn more about your personality, emotions, and energy centers. It is often referred to as your “energetic blueprint.” The insight that I gained has been incredibly beneficial in both business and my personal relationships, allowing me to utilize my natural strengths and abilities more effectively. Additionally, I returned to my roots, incorporating the practice of reading a Bible verse at the start or end of my day as part of my daily devotional. This simple act has been instrumental in resetting and stilling my mind, providing a few minutes to recenter and focus. I somehow got away from this, but my heart had led me back and I am grateful for that.

Journaling as a spiritual practice has been a foundational element of my life since childhood, and after years of dedication, I can attest to its benefits. This practice serves as a powerful tool for self-reflection, emotional expression, and clarity of thought. Journaling has provided a sacred space for inner dialogue, allowing me to explore and even understand my spiritual journey more deeply. The act of writing down my aspirations in long-hand, often with a lead pencil as my writing instrument, is particularly powerful. Some years ago, I attended a yoga retreat for women of color with my girlfriend Kelly at Kripalu in the Berkshires and I recall one of the facilitators stating that this particular method of journaling resonates with the ancient Egyptian practice of using hieroglyphics to record significant events and spiritual beliefs. Just as they carved their stories and aspirations into stone, the physical act of writing in a journal helps to solidify our intentions, making them more tangible and real. This tactile process of writing connects me to a time-honored tradition of recording and manifesting one's deepest desires, bridging the past and present in my spiritual practice.

As you think about your own spiritual journey this year, I invite you to consider ways in which you can open yourself up to more meaningful spiritual exploration. These practices not only bring a sense of understanding, but also help align your actions with your true self in all aspects of your life.

---

I am writing the first entry of the year from Amsterdam, a city that is increasingly feeling like a second home to me. Though I never anticipated my life taking this turn, I am wholeheartedly welcoming it. Reflecting on my personal recalibration of the mind, body, and soul for 2024, I am fully committed to this structured time of reflection and holistic rejuvenation. It's a foundation setting for a year that I expect to be filled with happiness, health, growth and inner peace. I extend these same wishes to you for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!

Thank you for reading this week's edition of Cliffs without Borders. If my writing resonates with you, please consider sharing and subscribing. As a new publication, your support is deeply valued.

Wishing you a wonderful year ahead!

With Love & Grace,

Nakia