Create This Instead of a New Year’s Resolution

First and foremost, Happy 2025 to you and your family! I’m deeply grateful to you for reading and supporting this newsletter over the years—it’s been 17+ and counting.

I also want to say a BIG Thank you to everyone who donated Teddy Bears this year. We collected almost 400 teddies for Dell Children’s Hospital.

This is time of year when we set intentions and layout what we want to accomplish for the year. This is also the time of the year when we evaluate our health and wellbeing. We often set intentions and then struggle after a few days or weeks to hold ourselves accountable, we stall or give up.

After almost 18+ years in clinic my role as a Natural Functional Medicine Doctor has evolved. I have always seen myself as Doctor / Teacher. My goal was to empower you to listen to your own body signals and teach you to be your own Doctor. Today in clinic I also do this … I ask questions about what you want? Who do you want to be? How do you plan on getting there? Are you ready to take ownship of your decsions? How can I support you? On a scale of 1-5 how willing are you to make change? etc etc.. Change can be hard without support, direction and consistency.

A Doctor who Writes

This is a little about my story and how I created a new habit and indenity.

When I first started this weekly newsletter 17+ years ago I spent hours agonizing over what to share and doubting whether anyone would read it or find it valuable. Some weeks, I wanted to give up entirely. But I didn’t. I kept going because I made a promise to myself—and to you—to show up consistently and share what I could to help you live a healthier more vibrant life.

Today I still angst a teenie little bit each week as I think about what to share, however writing the newsletter/blog has become a habit because I put in the work. I also learned that a habit must be established before it can be improved. That habit has helped me become a Doctor who Writes, an Author, a Speaker and more…

What began as a struggle is now a habit. And that’s the secret: a habit must be established before it can be improved.

I share this story to encourage you to think differently about this time of year. Instead of setting a resolution, why not create a vision for the identity you want to embody?

Motivation Starts With You

Change is hard—this is true for everyone. It’s rarely a matter of knowing what to do; it’s about finding the internal drive to take action.
Motivation doesn’t come from forcing yourself. It comes from:

• A deep desire to change.
• A compelling why that reminds you you’re worth the effort.

Humans are wired for comfort. We stick to what feels good NOW and avoid what’s uncomfortable or new. This is why the question to ask yourself is:

Do my current health habits nourish me? Yes or no?

You alone are in charge of your health—mind, body, and spirit.

Create This Instead of a New Year’s Resolution

How to Start

Define Your Upgraded Identity

• Grab a piece of paper and write down the identity you want for yourself.
• Struggling to define it? Think of someone you admire who embodies the qualities you desire—joy, health, creativity, success—and model that.

Ask: What Do I Choose?

• Identify the daily steps that will move you closer to your upgraded identity.
• Recognize that every decision you make either brings you closer to or farther from your goal.

Prioritize and Start Small

• Write down your steps and prioritize them.
• Choose your top three actions and focus on those. Once they become habits, add more.

Consistency Is Key

• Celebrate small wins every night.
• Start your day with positivity to set yourself up for success. LMK if you want a copy of My Morning Routine
• If you miss a step, forgive yourself and ask why it happened. Learn and keep going.

Simplify and Support

• Notice triggers or negative patterns. Pause and reflect: Why am I reacting this way? Why am I complaining?
• Create an environment for change. Surround yourself with people and places that support your goals. This can be a tough one for many of us. Especially if we are people pleasers.
• Grab a copy of the best selling book called Let Them by Mel Robbins on some helpful tips to support you on your new sustainable healthy identity.

Create This Instead of a New Year’s Resolution

Remember: It’s Never Too Late

Every day is a new opportunity to make shifts toward the life you want.

As always I am here to support, educate, provide the tools and offer expert advice as you naviagate your journey. We start back in office on January 10th 2025. You can book an appointment here.

Have a healthy week and a great start to 2025.

Dr Pia