Now that the kids are back in school, everyone is slowly coming down from their holiday sugar rush and settling into their regular routines. For me that means getting my house (and my life) in order, in the wake of the tornado of Christmas Cheer. This year, for the first time in my adult life, I took a few hours towards the end of December, and compiled a list of goals for 2020. I know, I know: goals for the new year. Groundbreaking. But after a decade of college, a baby, a wedding, lots and lots of moving, more college, more babies, and more moving, I finally have time to breathe, and set my sights further than getting my kids to school on time.
From what I’ve gathered, observing people who make these sort of plans, there are many ways to go about it. I’ve noticed that it is popular to choose a particular word to set the tone for the year. My more religious friends will pick verses to focus on. I decided what worked for me was to come up with an outline for my ideal self. If I were to become the best me (and I know it’s hard to believe I could get any better), what would I do? It started with a quick brainstorm of things that correspond with the model for a productive and admirable day. Most of them were things that I don’t do, or only do sporadically, and would like to change:
Write
Move
Save
Commit
Clean
Persevere
Connect
That list was diffused into categories for each month:
Writing Goals
Movement Goals
Savings Goals
Cleaning Goals
Connection Goals
I thought that these categories would help me focus on smaller attainable goals, rather than large lofty ones. Those would lead to certain failure.
The month is all about commitment and consistency.
-That means writing every day, intentionally moving my body every day. The privileged white girl way of saying exercise.
-I’m going to stick to our family budget. Essentially, that boils down to not blowing it on food and iced coffee.
-I am following a cleaning routine (honestly, the hardest one for me).
-I am making a concerted effort to connect with other people. This month that means hosting a playdate with someone from each child’s circle of friends.
In a few short weeks, this will ensure that all of my problems will be solved, and I will be the even better version, of an already pretty amazing gal! That’s how these things work, right?
In all seriousness, this past year has been a blur of adjusting to life with three kids, and trying my best to keep my head above water. It’s time to focus that blur a little bit. Here’s to kicking ass, and heading into the new decade with goals in place. There’s nothing we can’t do! (Except for the cleaning routine. Seriously. You guys…I’m very worried.)
Love, Always,
Jennie
