As we walk into the new year I’m making 4 easy new years resolutions-I’m serious, they are going to be super duper doable. I feel like this is a big step compared my my resolutions for last year, (hint, I resolved not to make any).
This year my resolutions are so doable that some might call it cheating! I don’t think it’s cheating though. When I tell you my primary resolution I think some of you are going to want to adopt it for yourself! Before I tell you my resolutions I’m going to share my word of the year with you.
Note; This post was written going into 2021 but it works for any New Year.
“Refine”
Merriam Webster
verb
“TO MAKE IMPROVEMENT BY INTRODUCING SUBTLETIES OR DISTINCTIONS”
This year I’ve decided that my primary resolution is to acknowledge all the things I’m doing right and refine them. For me this looks like the following.
4 Easy New Years Resolutions
Self Care
In 2020 I started getting counseling and one of the things that my counselors have helped me realize is how poorly I had been taking care of myself. I started taking steps in the self care direction and found that my anxiety went way down and I became far less irritable. So in 2021 I’m going to continue mastering the art of self care.
Morning Devotions
My health has finally improved to the point to where I am able to get up early again. In both the spring of 2019 and 2020 I suffered miscarriages at around 12 weeks, and between that and hashimoto’s hypothyroidism I have not only had trouble rising early but have needed all the extra sleep I could get. It’s been a rough haul not being able to wake before all the kids but towards the end of 2020 my normal early bird tendencies started to return. So in 2021 I’m going to continue to resume those sweet early morning devotions.
Saying No
For the last two years I’ve been getting better at saying this tough word. It really surprises me the things some people think are appropriate to ask of a homeschooling mom of 6 sometimes! I suppose this is understandable, after all I myself forget there are so many things I used to be able to do but just can’t anymore because of both my full plate and an auto-immune disease.
In 2020 I really bumbled a couple times. I’ve been learning that the more you say “no” the easier it gets though! I’m going to continue refining the practice of saying “No” when it comes to taking on more than this auto-immune warrior, homeschooler, blogger, and mama of 6 can handle in 2021!
Saying Yes
Okay, I just said I was going to say no more-but not when it comes to my hubby and sweet babies! In 2021 I’m going to practice saying YES to more family fun times and activities with them!
Recently I was watching some videos and looking through pictures from our last beach day together. Suddenly it hit me really hard and tears welled. I wanted so badly to go back to the beginning of September and relive that last beach day together so badly that it hurt.
As I was looking through the pictures and videos I felt like I traveled ahead 10 years in time to when kids start moving out. Although I think (maybe even obsess) about how there will be a time coming soon when the children begin leaving the nest and it makes me sad, it made me extra sad on this particular day. Since I won’t forever be able to arrange days like our last beach day the way I can now I decided that in 2021 I’m going to continue the practice of taking downtime with the family and I’m going to refine savoring the times with them a little more, and take a few more pictures and videos!
Let me know if you enjoyed 4 Easy New Years Resolutions, and tell me, do you have easy new years resolutions planned? What are they? I’d love to hear what yours are.
As a mama, I’m definitely taking more time for self care this year!
This is so important because people need to realize that there is no set standard for new year resolutions, and sometimes doing the bare minimum or going outside your comfort zone can be enough!
Self care and saying no are big on my list. Especially saying no when it comes to work-related things! It’s hard….good thing the year is young 🙂
Saying no was always so hard for me. A few years ago, I started working on doing it and it helped me so much with some difficult relationships
I love these, I definitely made easy resolutions too. I don’t like to feel like I failed at the end of the year
I’m definitely going to do better at saying “No”. I’m finding myself being spread too thin.
such a great post; saying no and yes to the right things helps so much…
love the photographs!!
These are really good resolutions. My favorite one is saying no. I am no longer committing to things I dont want to do.
These are great resolutions, and great ways to do what is best for you and your family! I have done some cleaning out of things, and people, that are toxic in my life.
I am not a fan of making resolutions but I love the ones that you suggested here. Saying yes is my favourite. Say yes to the things that light you up and make you the happiest.
Such a great post, I feel the same about saying no more. In the past I got roped into a lot of community work which is nice but never appreciated and always put extra strain on family time! So 2021 family definitely comes first here too.
I definitely struggle with the self care one!! Thanks for sharing this.
I have been wanting to get into a daily routine of reading my bible. I am already behind on my bible in a year plan. =(
I love this! I really need to learn to be able to say no more. I find myself exhausting myself because I feel obligated to say yes to everything. I love the reminder that it’s okay to say no.
Saying no and yes! How true is that?! Love this! Embracing this!