Sustainable living advocate Ula Blocksage admits she has an innate gypsy spirit and strongly believes that her success has always been measured on her own level of happiness. You can follow Ula`s journey of self-love and practicing peace towards herself and the world in her blog and it is crazy inspiring, so we are happy to share a piece of her vision, beautiful values and self-care tips.

We believe that one of the top resolutions of 2019 is to create a healthy, green and sustainable mindset. Can you tell us how to keep up with that?

Sure! Firstly, you need to decide what a healthy, green and sustainable mindset means to you. Taking small steps or being completely radical in your approach are both great! We all want to be healthier, live greener and be more sustainable in our everyday choices so I would advise setting yourself achievable goals, that way you can keep up with them and if you surpass them… all the better.

What living responsibly means to you?

Living responsibly for me means making conscious decisions on a daily basis that are better for the environment, the people that inhabit this world and for oneself as an individual. It is about making those small changes every day, regardless of how insignificant they may seem. Everything we do has an impact on our planet and its people. Sustainability, making ethical and ecological choices and trying to go organic wherever possible is something I am really passionate about. I discuss these topics A LOT over on my blog, Instagram and YouTube channel.

What has been the best change you`ve already made in 2019?

I decided at the beginning of the year that I was really going to commit myself to yoga. I have had a wavering practice for some years but am happiest when I am practicing 3-4 times a week. It is my active meditation. For one hour, my mind is relieved of all that needs to be done. I focus solely on my breath and the movement of my body. It is in these moments that I feel a true connection to myself.

What emotional challenges do you face during a day?

I guess that depends on what one considers to be a challenge. I am a very sensitive and emotional soul… a complete empath if you will (just to give a little perspective), and so I do tend to feel things rather acutely. I have been a self-employed photographer, beauty consultant and writer for over 10 years now and through working for myself, I do come up against work related challenges on a weekly if not daily basis. Which can result in needing to take a step back and reassess how best to proceed… without getting too emotionally attached to the situation.

One of the hottest keywords buzzing around today is self-care. Do you practice that mindfully, maybe you have any tips?

For me self-care is a very personal thing. My number one tip would be to ask yourself what it is that you need in order to feel nurtured and simply do that. Some basic things I do on daily basis to look after myself include drinking 1.5 - 2 liters of water, journaling when possible, practicing yoga or at least taking a moment to stretch, sitting in silence to breath and free my mind. I also like to take myself on a date once a week, to a café, the cinema or perhaps an art exhibition. Learning to love one’s own company is such a wonderful thing. And last but not least, self-care to me also means taking really good care of my skin. I used to suffer with bouts of cystic acne and so one thing I have always done ever since I was 12 years old was to cleanse, tone and hydrate my skin morning and night… and NEVER ever go to bed with makeup on. This is a complete no-no for me!

What skin care products you can`t live without?

Firstly, the Superseed Soothing Hydration organic certified facial oil by MADARA. I use it morning and night after cleansing and toning and before I apply my moisturiser. I have noticed a huge difference in the texture of my skin since I began using it a couple of months ago. It smells lovely and leaves my skin feeling super soft and hydrated, I love it! Another product I absolutely love is a therapeutic roller treatment I created to help de-stress and sleep better. It contains a carrier oil and a combination of essential oils wonderful for their calming properties, including Myrrh, Bergamot, Chamomile, Lavender and a few others. Our skin reflects how we feel on the inside, so if we are stressed out or are not sleeping enough, the evidence will show in our complexion. I have been going through a rather stressful period in my life recently and so this aromatic treatment has been helping me a lot!

How do you appreciate the skin you`re in?

I use to be really hard on myself, wishing I had clearer skin, skinnier legs that sort of thing. But after years of putting myself through hell, I finally realized how lucky I was to have a fully functioning body. I can run, skip, jump, climb, see, hear, touch and feel. It is so easy to get caught up in aesthetics! If you have a body that is healthy and feels good, then you are in a pretty good place. And if you are not there yet, it is never too late to start appreciating the skin you are in.

If you could suggest one thing that anyone should try this year, what would it be?

Go skydiving! I went a couple of years ago and it was one of the craziest yet magical experiences I have ever had in my life.

@ulablocksage
www.ulablocksage.com