I have never been a big fan of New Year resolutions. December is so busy in our house and I don’t want to spend our week of rest fretting over what I think I should be changing about myself for the new year. It makes me feel like we are starting the year out thinking we aren’t the best versions of ourselves.
Can we all get better at organization, saving money, making better health choices, etc? Absolutely. Do I believe we have to be intentional about improving these skills? Again absolutely. Do I think because we need to learn something that we have to have these lists that tell us we have so much to improve in our lives? No. I believe in setting goals but I believe they need to be realistic.
Is starting a goal January 1st and expecting to succeed the best plan of action? Probably not. We are still so overwhelmed and high off of all the holiday fun that rest should be on the schedule, soaking up those holiday moments and fun.
This last year I’ve gotten to spend time finding myself and accepting myself. This year I don’t want to go backwards by setting goals that feel counterintuitive to that. Instead this year I want to work on being more intentional about what my intent is versus the impact of my actions and words. I feel the need to respond immediately to texts. I do not want to make people wait for a response. My anxiety tells me waiting more than a few seconds will make people think I’m ignoring them which is still going to cause me to type and hit send before I’ve fully thought through what my message is. I guarantee I am going to stick my foot in my mouth over and over. I want to continue growing myself but I don’t expect there to be a magic day where I’ll suddenly get it all right. Some changes can be quick but sometimes growth takes time. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is mental and emotional growth.
I want to say yes more. I’m not setting a goal number but I want to intentionally say yes more than I say no. A friend asks if I want to go out? Or stay in for a girls night? Yes! My children want to make a craft? Yes! They want to go for a walk ten minutes before supper? Yes! They want to stay up past bedtime? No! Just kidding, I’m going to take more time to say yes to all the things. I’m easily overwhelmed by last minute suggestions because all I see is the work needed to make them happen. This year I want to take little steps toward making last minute suggestions seem fun and not an addition to my mental load.
In this coming year whether you have big plans and changes, just small intentional steps to a healthier you or absolutely no plans at all, I am cheering you on! Kudos to you for getting through this hard year. I wish you all the best in the New Year!
Four Squared Motherhood 