By Yli Liriano — International Image Consultant, Personal & Celebrity Stylist, and Professional Makeup Artist
Most people wait for January 1st to start fresh, but true transformation begins before the year ends. The final weeks of the year are not a countdown — they are an opportunity to choose who you want to be.
And it starts with simple, intentional choices.
Choose how you speak to yourself.
The words you use matter. We tend to be our own worst critics, and sometimes we don’t even notice how much negativity we speak into our lives:
“I’m fat.”
“I’m too skinny.”
“I’m too short.”
“I’m too tall.”
“I’m not good enough.”
“I’m broke.”
And the list goes on.
But these words shape your confidence, your presence, and the way you show up in every room. This season, try speaking to yourself with more compassion, more grace, and more belief. You deserve that.
Because when you start speaking positively, life responds.
“I’m beautiful.”
“I’m smart.”
“I’m wealthy.”
“I always have money.”
Listen… when you start speaking like the things you want in life, they begin to show up. If you constantly say you have no money, then that’s exactly what you’ll continue to attract.
Choose how you present yourself.
How you walk out the door each morning sets the tone for your day.
I always tell my clients — and everyone around me —
“Never leave your house unless you love how you look when you see yourself in the mirror.”
For me, when I look in the mirror and feel powerful, that energy sets the tone for my entire day. But if I leave the house not feeling confident about my look, my day follows that same energy.
Whether it’s adding a bold lip (from Yli Beauty, my makeup line), wearing a color that makes you feel alive, or choosing an outfit that reminds you of your worth — these small acts send a powerful message to your future self:
“I matter.”
Choose one habit you want to bring into the new year.
It doesn’t need to be big — it just needs to be consistent.
Maybe it’s drinking more water, planning your outfits the night before, or taking five minutes each day to breathe and reconnect with yourself. Small habits create big shifts.
What’s mine?
Continuing to listen to my inner voice — the Holy Spirit guiding me.
When I feel something is off, I honor that feeling. I walk away, I disconnect when needed, and I protect my peace.
Choose what you’re leaving behind.
We all carry beliefs, people, and things that no longer serve us — doubts, insecurities, old stories about who we “should” be. These final weeks are the perfect moment to release one. Let it go so you have space to grow.
I choose to leave behind the stress of rushing — stressing if I miss the bus or leave the house late. Those things used to trigger anxiety. But I remind myself: God’s timing is perfect.
Choose to see yourself with love.
This is the heart of everything I do.
When you love how you look, when you feel connected to both your inner and outer self, confidence becomes effortless. And that confidence changes how you enter every room — and every new year.
As we step toward a new year, remember this:
You don’t need a countdown to become the person you want to be.
You simply need a choice — made today, repeated tomorrow, and honored for the rest of the year… and your life.
Walk into the new year already becoming that person.
With intention.
With self-love.
With purpose.
And always…
Love how you look, and love who you are.
— Yli
A Special Dedication
I want to dedicate this article to my younger self — the girl who dreamed of writing for a newspaper just like Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) in Sex and the City. And here you are, Yli… empowering and hopefully inspiring your readers.
I’m proud of you.
Thank you for not giving up on me — yesterday, today, and in the future.
And to my readers:
Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Thank your younger self, your today self, and your future self.
Say it with me:
“I thank myself for not giving up on me.”
Happy Holidays
Stay connected with the heartbeat of Miami!
Sign up for Calle Ocho News for more stories celebrating our vibrant culture and community.Get regular updates on what not to miss in Miami. Promote your business with our advertising services at Pressnet Corp.
Add Comment