At the beginning of this year, I set three resolutions for myself. In an effort to stick to my first resolution, which was to write once a month, I went way out of my comfort zone and applied to be a contributor for Knoxville Moms. As you can see, I obviously made the cut. I did this to hold myself accountable to my goal of making time to do something I love, which is writing. I was thinking about what I wanted to write about for my first topic and I realized that nothing would be better than writing about why I started doing this in the first place: my new year resolutions. It is almost halfway through July and I am writing for the first time this year, which made me realize that I’m a little behind. Technically, I am six posts behind, so I started thinking about where I stood with other goals in my life and that maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on myself.
I am all about a fresh start, whether that is a new year, a new week, or a new day. I am realizing more and more that the big, long term goals or resolutions I am setting for myself might not be something that I can accomplish in this season of life, but I can try.
Here’s how I am working to keep my other two resolutions:
#1. My health
Like most people, especially moms, I wanted to start getting my pre-baby body back. I had joined an amazing local gym before the end of the year in an effort to get a head start. I was excited to eat healthfully, exercise and feel better. I chose to join a gym that primarily provides group fitness classes. I know myself and I know that if I am going to the gym, I need someone to tell me what to do and to hold me accountable. My gym has early morning, mid morning, and evening classes. According to my Apple watch (because if you didn’t track your workout, did you even workout?), I only worked out a total of 13 days in the month of January. In the month of April, I didn’t get a single workout in, at the gym that is — I spend every day chasing my kids or cleaning my house, which definitely counts as a workout. This week I made it to three classes. I am learning that some weeks I have time to fit exercise in my schedule and others I just don’t. Some weeks I need the extra hour of sleep and time at home in the evening, and that’s ok. We have to give ourselves some grace. We have to stop comparing ourselves to the girls with no kids or the moms with older kids who have more time. It’s not my season for that awesome Instagram transformation picture, but one day it will be, and I am making small changes now so that when it’s time, I have the foundation in place to make the big changes I want to see later.
#2. Read a book a month
I am a nerd. I have always loved school and learning and I love to read. The problem is I have two toddlers that are 13 months apart, and not a lot of spare time. If I do have spare time, I usually end up on the couch asleep. I took a book to the beach a couple weeks ago and read a whopping 17 pages…in a week! Some of my friends created a book club on Facebook which I decided to join. We pick a book a month and then meet to discuss it over a cocktail. What can be better than books and booze? We met in January, February, and March, but guess what? We are all normal people and life happened and we haven’t met, or probably read, for the past couple of months. Someone posted last week to ramp it back up, so in a month or so I’m sure we will get ourselves in gear and pick it back up. I have read almost five books this year; that’s more than I’ve read in the past three years combined.
While it’s easy to look back and think I am behind on my goals, I am choosing to be proud that I’ve done this much. As moms I feel like it’s normal to want to be our best selves for the people we love. It’s also natural to put ourselves last in an effort to make sure everyone else’s needs are met first. I am slowly learning that it’s all about balance.
What a great reminder that it is ok to celebrate what you have accomplished and forgive yourself when you fall behind on some goals.
Kelci this is so awesome! I really needed to hear this! You are such a great mom, I am so proud of you!! Love and miss you sweet friend!
Awesome article!!!! So glad your writing!!!! I know I definitely needed the reminder to give myself a break here and there. Thanks for giving me that peace of mind.