New Years Resolutions
The start of a new year is rapidly approaching which means everyone is a buzz with talk of resolutions. You may already be thinking about what resolution you are making or questioning what resolution you’ll make and break. Or maybe you are solidly firm on why you don’t make New Years resolutions.
Unfortunately I typically fall into the make and break (and often don’t even try) category.
This year I’m taking a step back and looking at what areas of my life I would really like to see a difference.
Overall I would really like to become the best me so I can give my best to my family. I feel like so often we give our best to others – whether it be at our job, in our volunteering or with our friends. Heck I’m even nicer to the person at the drive thru window than with my family someday which is a terrible truth. So often our family gets what is left over (which in my case isn’t pretty!).
There are three big things I have realized when I look at my life – I have little patience, I am always tired, and I am overwhelmed. A glance at each of these issues individually I realize that there are a four things I can do to fix them, but I have to make them a priority: exercise, drink water, declutter and have “me time”.
When I make time to exercise I feel better about myself, which helps me have a better attitude with my family. Days that I drink enough water I am not so tired and have less headaches, so I am able to be more present with my kids and husband. When I don’t feel surrounded by things, I am able to breathe easier and not feel overwhelmed. If I have set aside time for me to fill my cup and to take a break from being in charge of everyone else I am able to enjoy the time that I spend caring for others.
The best part of this is you can start anytime. Just stop where you are, look around and ask yourself a few questions:
- Who gets the best parts of you?
- What is getting in the way of you being your best?
- What changes can you make?
While working on all of these things everyday may not be possible, the focus is on the intention of betterment. Taking a moment at the end of each day to ask myself two simple questions: “What did I do today to get closer to my goal?” and “What can I do better tomorrow?”