Rethink Those New Year’s Resolutions

Can you believe it? Have we really gone full circle and arrived back to a New Year? I don’t know about you, but this has been the shortest and the longest year of my life. On one hand, I feel like it’s still March, and on the other hand, I feel like the never-ending “Spring Break” was years ago.

I know that all of our circumstances have been different—and a different range of extremes—but I’m pretty sure we can all agree that 2020 has been quite the dumpster fire. In fact, I found an ornament that perfectly commemorates 2020.

I am ecstatic for 2020 to exit stage left. Even though I know that the chaos is not going to magically disappear at the stroke of midnight, I am thirsty for the freshness of a new calendar year and the hope of having the COVID “uphill climb” behind us. I feel like my house, my body, my brain, and DEFINITELY my car could use a total overhaul.

However, I am already dreading my inbox, social media, the ads, and the posts that pressure me into feeling like I need to overhaul my life starting January 1. My problem (and this is my fault) is that I delude myself into thinking that I will do a “better job” of LIFE in the New Year, so I throw a bunch of darts at the board thinking surely something will stick. But in reality, NOBODY can perfect their body, declutter their home, weekly meal plan, build their career, start a new hobby, and make homemade goodies all at the same time.

Don’t get me wrong; I feel the jitters and excitement of how I could challenge myself to improve in 2021. But to be super honest with you, I am leaving 2020 feeling quite exhausted. I feel like I spent much of the year in a mental state of “survival mode:” walking on eggshells, trying to keep my family’s mental and physical well-being protected.

I feel like if there were ever a year for a “PASS” on New Year’s resolutions, this is the year. The pandemic is still not “over” (will it ever be?) and I don’t know about you, but I could use a little grace in all the corners of my life. Since 2020 took a match to most of my plans, I just don’t feel like putting more pressure on myself after such a taxing year. Can we all agree to just set the bar a little low this year?!

However, if you are looking at that new shiny planner and free blogger printables and just CAN’T HELP yourself, I did LOVE this article about 18 New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep. If I pursue anything new in 2021, I want it to truly bring me JOY. I will admit one thing that I would like to focus on more in 2021 is thankfulness. I’ve been practicing writing down little things that I am thankful for (anything, even a hot shower), and it has already helped me to see the good things in my days that sometimes seem so mundane and repetitive.

So cheers, Mamas: We made it through 2020. No matter what method you folded your clothes (or just used the mountain method like me), no matter how many pre-packaged snacks you handed out or meal deliveries you ordered, you did WHAT MATTERED and pulled your family through. So grab that fuzzy blanket, some chocolate, a glass or mug of your favorite drink, and put your feet up. You DID GOOD in a year that nobody ever expected or prepared for.