[Checklist] 10 things to do in the last 10 weeks of 2020!

Next week begins the 10 week countdown to 2021 - can you believe it?!  Now is a perfect time to refocus on what you want to accomplish and do before the end of the year. Below is a checklist of a few of my top suggested to-dos before 2020 is gone for good. 

10 Essential Things To Do Before 2021 - in no particular order :) 

1. Smile :)  We have been through a roller coaster of a year, and with 10 weeks to go, it's not over yet!! Smiling, even when just doing things around the home by yourself, gives you a real lift. When you smile, your brain releases tiny molecules called neuropeptides to help fight off stress. Then other neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins come into play too. The endorphins act as a mild pain reliever, whereas the serotonin is an antidepressant. BONUS points for laughing as well :) 
2. Write down 5 things you are the most grateful for. Gratitude helps to connect to the flow of abundance and bringing in good and beauty. Create a list, perhaps on a post-it note, and look at it each morning as you are getting ready. Really feel the gratitude and thankfulness for these good things in your life. 
3. Finish the ONE THING that's been nagging you FOREVER! What is it on your to-do list that should only take a few hours but has been there for a long long time? Schedule the date and time to take care of it before the year is up! 
4. Write poetry or journal. I write a few lines in my e-journal each morning and evening. I find it helps focus my mind and if anything is bothering me I can jot it down and then I don't have to think about it any more! I recommend using the Day One journal app. One of the best features is that once you've been writing in it for more than 365 days, they alert you to your entries on previous years on that date. I've found it helps me to put into perspective the progress I'm making and inspire me on. 
5. Bake a loaf of bread - As we turn to colder days of autumn, there is nothing like the smell of freshly baking bread in our home. It's also a wonderful mindful practice to knead the bread and then wait patiently as it rises. I recommend trying this vegan white bread recipe and then slathering with apple butter! Pair with a hot apple cider or herbal tea. 
6. Meditate for 5 minutes each morning. You've probably heard me say it before, but it's worth repeating. Meditation is one of the best things you can learn to do for yourself. I have a series of online classes coming up soon, so stay tuned for more info. Begin simply though, by sitting in a dimly lit room, in a chair with spine straight and feet flat on the floor. Focus on your breathing for 5 minutes as your body relaxes deeper and deeper. Once you have this technique somewhat down you can move on to more advanced meditation. 
7. Get deep into nature. Whether it's a short hike in the forest or a walk on the beach. Get away from the city and let your aura relax and expand! The Japanese have a term for this, "Forest bathing", and it is recognized to release tension and stress and promote a healthier state of mind and body.
8. Call one person that you haven't spoken with in a while and you've been waiting for them to reach out to you. Instead of waiting for them to make the first move, you can decide to take action. If they really have been on your mind, perhaps there is a good reason why! Pick up the phone and find out. 
9. Give up a bad habit. Do you bite your nails, smoke, eat sugary snacks at 2am? We all have bad habits, but focusing on dropping one now means one less bad habit following you into 2021. I recommend the book "The Willpower Instinct: How self control works, why it matters, and what you can do." I enjoyed the audiobook version while baking my vegan bread ;) 
10. Volunteer your time to a worthy cause. There are more people in need right now. Just the other day I met a woman who works at a shelter in Everett and they are bursting over capacity, and I'm excited to help them very soon in the upcoming holiday season. Choose one cause and one thing you will do and make your impact. By helping each other we always find the way forward a bit easier. 

I recommend choosing one of these for each week remaining in the year. Jot them down on your calendar or set an alert on your phone to remind you on the Sunday or Monday at the beginning of each week. 

Sending you my very best :) 

Sincerely Yours, 

Beth Siragusa
Mystery School Guide, Healer & Teacher
in the Lineage of King Salomon