Realistic New Year’s Resolutions for Busy Moms
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This is so cliché of me, but there’s always something about the new year that motivates me to improve myself in some way or form. Most people seem to be in the same boat as far as feeling the need to make self improvements, but this time with a hopeful attitude as we enter a new year. I’m aware that you can make changes in your life at any given time, but I do have to say, it is easier to ride the wave of the new year’s motivation to really get those well intentioned goals, that were tucked away over the year, finally in motion. As I reflect on my past year of motherhood, there was a lot that I did right, but a lot that I could have done better. I’m going to share some of my New Year’s resolutions to help improve myself as a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. Many of my resolutions are so general, they can apply to any parent looking to improve their health, organization, and self-love. Some are new, and some are old, but either way, all of these things should bring me closer to who I want to be in the upcoming year!
Wake Up Before the Kids
This sounds like it would be easy because if you’ve read any of my other blog posts, I already do this. But to be honest, the amount of time that I allot myself in the morning before the kids wake up fluctuates depending on how often I hit the snooze button. I really want to stay consistent with waking up at least 1 hour before the kids are up, so I can have more time to do more than one thing for myself in the morning. I usually prioritize getting myself ready in the morning, but I would love to squeeze in some time to read, write or just have a peaceful time to be creative. In order to have this time, I know that I need to get out of my own way when my alarm rings, count to 10 and GO!
Exercise
Sometimes it feels like this is everyone’s New Year’s resolution! Am I right? This year, I want to stop beating myself up over my mom bod. It’s been years since I’ve had a newborn and I’ve given up on the hope of “bouncing back.” Instead, I’d like to focus on health rather than getting back into my pre-pregnancy clothes. I’ll try my best to maintain a balanced diet and focus on strength vs weight loss. I’m going to combat my complete and utter disdain for cardio exercise with daily, brisk morning walks on my Deer Run walking pad, while listening to audiobooks. This year, I’m saying goodbye to my weight scale and possibly hello to some new, better fitting clothes!
Stay On Top of a Cleaning Schedule
After reflecting on my past cleaning schedules that I’ve concocted to help me maintain a clean home, I’ve decided that it might be time to change it up! I found that some tasks are best done on a looped to-do list, while other tasks have the best chance of getting done when on an actual schedule. Through trial and error, I’ve found daily tasks, such as dishes or my daily laundry load are easiest done within my daily routine and monthly tasks like cleaning the washing machine also get done when I pick a designated day of the month to get it done. However, I like to put larger tasks, like cleaning each bathroom, on a revolving chore list that gets done as I am able to squeeze it in to my schedule. I’m hoping that this new division of my current chores will lead to having a balance of getting it all done, while not feeling over stretched!
Be a Calmer Mom
To anyone who has ever been a parent, I’m sure you’ve had moments where you're forcing yourself to stay zen in the wake of a tantrum, but it feels like you’re going to explode. For the most part, I’m able to keep my cool around my children, though I am guilty of feeling frustration at times. Being a calmer parent is something that you always have to work on because kids, though innocent, are good at pushing buttons. In moments of frustration, I try to check myself to see why I’m really getting flustered. But, I’d also like to try tapping into a physical release of tension. In The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel MD and Tina Payne Bryson PhD, I read about how there is a direct connection to body movement and brain chemistry. So, the next time I feel like I’m going to lose it, I am going to try stepping aside to do a few jumping jacks before returning to deal with a frustrating situation with calmer energy.
Get Organized
This resolution is so general that it can undoubtedly be reused every year in order to tackle different areas of your life if you need to split up the work. In the past, I’ve tackled organizing our family schedule and routines, with the help of using the Skylight Calendar. This year, I would love to tackle more visual clutter by finding ways to organize our different spaces, such as our pantry and cleaning supply closet.
Slow Down
Now more than ever, I’m feeling the years shorten. Life is just flying and I want more than anything to slow things down again. I want to focus on what is happening now and savor it rather than always trying to foresee so far ahead. My kids will only be this little for a short time and my life of singing daily kids songs and having paint stained hands from arts and crafts won’t last long either. I hope that this coming year, I take in the moment and romanticize my life as it is.
More Healthy Food
I’ve definitely changed my diet since having children. It feels like a 180 from my younger self. Sometimes I cringe at the thought of the way I used to eat in my 20s. In an attempt to model good eating habits for our children, my husband and I have been trying to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables with our meals and we’ve replaced some of our unhealthy snacks, like chips, with healthier options like nuts and dried fruit. I would love to keep this new found love for preparing home cooked meals and healthier options up for as long as I possibly can! So, it’s a part of my New Year’s resolution to keep it up and find new ways to make eating healthy more enjoyable!
With all that said, I don’t actually want to be a new me after the new year. But, I do want to know that I can be consistent with these habits, so that I can be a better version of myself. Some of these resolutions are ongoing goals, but I hope this year I don’t fall short, or at least get back up if I fall flat. I hope that these mom resolutions help to inspire you to make some goals for yourself! Here’s to the best year yet! *coffee mug clink*
