The start of a new year has always felt like a big pressure to make grandiose changes in my life. I’ve spent years making resolutions that quickly fizzled by mid-February. Last year, I established monthly habits, which were more successful but still didn’t yield permanent changes.
As the new year approaches, I have considered what truly makes me happy and what no longer does. I want to add more of the good and have far less of some things that no longer serve me or add to my joy.
More Books
I had a goal last year to read 40 books. I knew it would be challenging with three kids, a husband, and a full-time job. Pre-kids, reading was something that I devoted a lot of time to. My summers off as a teacher were spent at the pool devouring book after book on my original Kindle.
I was proud to have surpassed my goal of 40 books this year and rekindled my love of reading and how much joy it brings me. I am unsure yet what my exact number will be, but I want more time to read and escape into the pages of a good book.
Less Stuff
Organization is my love language. I love when my house is clutter-free and everything is in place. This year, I will focus on having less stuff and ensuring that things we bring into the home are of quality, are long-lasting, and have a purpose and value for us.
I started this over Christmas with my self-proclaimed No Crap Christmas, and I did not feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that we had to find space for or that my kids didn’t care for. I know this will be helpful for my Amazon shopping habits, but I plan to be mindful of my purchases and decide if they are worth it.
More Quality Time With Friends
Making time with friends a priority this past year has fed my soul in ways that had been missing in the previous years. Cultivating friendships with local families, which my kids also enjoy, has allowed for many fun times. I will continue to prioritize these friendships and make time to spend with those like-minded women that I have had the privilege of growing close to in the last few years.
Some of our closest friends also do not live locally, so I would love to make time for trips to see them and continue putting energy into our lifelong friendships.
More Date Nights
This year, making more time for my marriage through date nights will be a priority. We did pretty well this past year, but as the weather got colder, I found us less likely to hit the town and get out just the two of us. We are lucky to have a wonderful network of babysitters to call on, so getting out more consistently is something we will be doing more this year.
Less Alcohol
In the last few months, I have drastically cut back on how much alcohol I have been consuming. It’s been years since I was out on the town having multiple drinks, but even a few a week just no longer serve me, no pun intended. I don’t feel well after a few drinks, and waking up to three small kids the next day does not allow me to feel anything less than my best. As I near a milestone birthday, I want to be caring for my body as best as I can, and I think that my relationship with alcohol may be taking a major, if not permanent, break.
More Fresh Air
I have seen some friends participate and complete the 1,000 hours outside challenge and have been intrigued. The power of fresh air is undeniable, so I want to spend as much time as possible in the great outdoors. Hiking, taking the dog for a walk, or just hanging in the yard with the kids; time outside will be prioritized as the benefits to my mental and physical health are boundless.
With my age comes the wisdom that it is okay to get rid of what no longer serves you. Knowing what you like and wanting more of that for yourself is also okay.
