Happy New year y’all! I love the excitement of a new fresh start that a new year offers ! It has reenergized me! We didn't get all wild and crazy on New Years Eve. You know you are officially old or parents when you are not sure if you are going to even make it til midnight. We went over to our friend's house for a nice home cooked steak dinner and ice cream sundaes for the kids (and adults to lol). Then New Years Day I met one of my best gal pals at the movies with our kiddos to see Jumangi. Ya'll it was sooo good. Our kids loved it too!
I am not sad to see 2017 go. There were a lot more lows than highs. With the blank canvas of a New Year I like to reevaluate myself and my life, make new goals, and try to better myself. I don't like making resolutions per se. I am more of a goal setter!!
2018 Goals
- simplify. Purging and getting rid of the stuff that weighs us down is such an easy fix. I started this at the beginning of December with my bathroom. I threw out all the makeup I wasn't using and only kept my everyday makeup plus a few things I like to use when going out. I cleaned out under the sink and the drawers. I think I had a full garbage bag of just that small area. I also bought little trays for the drawers to keep things more organized. Yesterday I cleaned out Max’s closet and a kitchen cabinet that I couldn’t open without things falling out. Wow. Such a difference it makes. When things are cluttered or you can't open a cabinet or your closet without things falling in your face you may have a problem (Nick will tell you I like my junk drawers. I get it honest lol. My dad was the same way. But this year I no more junk). I also got the tree down and Christmas decorations put away. It feels amazing having all our space back. Simplified again. I feel like I can breathe easier when things aren't overflowing with stuff! Oh I also simplified my phone. I put all my apps in folders to make them easier to find!! What a difference! Next up is the basement and play room closet (I am literally afraid to touch either. I am thinking of just taking trash bags and start pitching it all!!)
- slow down .I need to stop wishing time to go by. Nick said it best. We plan for these amazing things to do and just wish the time away or to hurry up and get here. I need to find the joy in everyday. I think by slowing down and simplifying I can find that joy . Take one day at a time. Soak in the day to day. Cherish the moments with the kids. They are 5 and 10 and I can hardly believe it. It makes me sad that I haven't enjoyed it all as much as I should have. I would love to go back in time and know what I know now. But no time like the present to start .
- stop comparing. This one is going to be a hard one for me. This is something I have done all my life. I don't know if it is something that as a female is engrained in us. I see Meredith do it too. Maybe she learns it from me which is another major reason I need to stop. I can only be me. I can't be this mom or that mom so it is time to stop comparing myself to them. I do the best I can with my time and as a mom. If I need to do better it is not because I am not them. Social media is a major contributor to this. I try to keep things real even while I post the fun and perfect. Because there are a lot of unperfect moments too! Also we have a feeling of not fitting in at our current school and church. School isn't easy for Meredith and she struggles so much. When I say she works her butt off I mean it. Things do not come easy with having dyslexia. We do tutoring and have to put in a lot of extra work on our end as well. There is a lot of yelling and fighting to get things done. So when it comes to awards for the honor roll and she is just shy of getting it , it drives me insane and then I wonder if I was a stay at home mom and could focus more time with her if it would change anything. But Mere is great at so many other things. Soccer. Basketball. Art. Again stop comparing Tracey! See why this is going to be hard??? This will probably be the hardest goal of all!! Focusing on the positives. I mean we have a beautiful home (we aren't living under a bridge), great kids (I mean some days I want to strangle them haha), we have traveled to some fun spots (hello Charleston, Disney, NYC). So goodbye comparison!! I am enough!!
- Read with my kids. I love to read! There is nothing more I love to do than enjoy a good book. Part of slowing down and focusing on the everyday is to read more with my kids. Meredith does not enjoy reading (dyslexia problems! ) But she does enjoy when I read to her. Time to put up the electronics and curl up on the couch and have some snuggle time while reading with them.
- Start a devotional I am hoping starting a devotional will help my overall attitude and stress level. This is a 2 part goal! Because I also have a goal of getting up an hour before I normally do so I can fit in a workout (that way when I get home from work I am not stressed to hurry up and fit one in. I hope this helps me feel less stressed and hurried. I tend to get stressed because I feel guilty not focusing on the kids after working all day. Then I start to yell when they bother me). If I wake up , immediately read my devotional for the day,and then workout I am set for the day. I feel like I can take on anything thrown at me. The problem will be when that alarm goes off at 4:15 am...yikes! But it will be worth it! I am back to carb cycling also as of today. I am doing it on my own instead of a group. This is usually tougher on me. But I know I can do it. To read more about my carb cycling journey you can start here.
Too many goals? Nah! I am an overachiever lol! Just part of my type A personality. All in all it is just about enjoying my husband and kids more. To take the time and breathe and simplify our life so there is more joy. Oh and on top of these goals I have separate goals for our house!! But those are more for the hubby to achieve! haha! What goals or resolutions have you set for yourself? I love hearing what everyone else is wanting to better for themselves!
