My friend once told me that whenever you have a string of rough things happen, it means something really good is going to happen. That was hard to believe but it gave me hope and we have recently been recognizing and receiving some great blessings to kick off the new year.
So on to my New Years Resolutions. When I finally caught a minute to breathe this past year, I started focusing on my job as a mother. Being a mom is the most important thing to me and I felt it being neglected. I didn't feel like I was able to be the kind of mom I wanted to be. My own struggles really distracted me from my priorities. Once I got a grip, I made the goal of "feeling put together." Feeling put together looks different for everyone. We all see different moms at the mall or the park and think they are the ones who "look" put together. I had to decide what this looked like for me. Being emotionally, mentally and spiritually drained put a toll on my physical body. I was tired all of the time, cranky in the mornings (and evenings) and really struggled to feel like myself. But now that I am feeling like myself again, I decided that for me, feeling put together starts with my appearance. I need to get dressed each day and not in yoga pants. Don't get me wrong, I love some good athleisure and still wear leggings all of the time but I want to look nice enough to go out, even if I'm not going out. Doing that gives me much more motivation for the day. I've also been wearing makeup more often. Ya'll know I love playing with makeup but doing a full face everyday isn't realistic for my lifestyle. I can however whip on some blush, mascara and eyebrows in minutes and it too helps me feel put together.
I also started focusing on my kid's schedule a little bit more. I've never been rigid with this one, but it makes a significant difference for me when I stay in my routine. "They" say it makes a difference for small children too but like I said, since I've never been rigid about schedules, I'm not going to engage in that discussion. ;)
I've also started focusing on including one thing per day that makes me feel like a "good mom." I know I'm a good mom but I fall into the trap of always thinking I could do more. My kids are not practicing writing and math and artwork every single day but when I do just one thing like that each day, it makes me feel more put together. This doesn't have to be an organized thing. Maybe I'll try a new recipe, make my pre-schooler trace his letters or pull out the puzzles that I hate but are good for the kids. Just anything that makes me feel like I'm being a "good mom."
So this is my goal for the new year, to continue what I've started. I am going to "feel put together" most days and embrace being a mother.
I also started focusing on my kid's schedule a little bit more. I've never been rigid with this one, but it makes a significant difference for me when I stay in my routine. "They" say it makes a difference for small children too but like I said, since I've never been rigid about schedules, I'm not going to engage in that discussion. ;)
I've also started focusing on including one thing per day that makes me feel like a "good mom." I know I'm a good mom but I fall into the trap of always thinking I could do more. My kids are not practicing writing and math and artwork every single day but when I do just one thing like that each day, it makes me feel more put together. This doesn't have to be an organized thing. Maybe I'll try a new recipe, make my pre-schooler trace his letters or pull out the puzzles that I hate but are good for the kids. Just anything that makes me feel like I'm being a "good mom."
So this is my goal for the new year, to continue what I've started. I am going to "feel put together" most days and embrace being a mother.
And just for fun, I have a second resolution. That's skin care. I've developed crows feet and I blame it on 2016! How can I be so into makeup and not know enough about skin care? That's going to change! My husband bought me the new skin care line from IT Cosmetics for Christmas so I'm going to start with that and see what kind of results I get.
So as we all reflect on the good and the bad this past year and get ready for what 2017 will bring, let's remember what the late President James E. Faust of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints once said: "A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness."
So as we all reflect on the good and the bad this past year and get ready for what 2017 will bring, let's remember what the late President James E. Faust of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints once said: "A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness."
