momAgenda Blog

What I Am Sticking With in the New Year

December 31, 2009 1:30 PM

Traditionally I have not been big on making New Year's resolutions. I always break them before the end of January and it's like setting myself up for failure each year. This year is different though, because my resolutions are not new habits that I am vowing to start tomorrow. Rather, I am picking a few good habits I picked up during 2009, and sticking with them.
- Ditch Perfection. As a mom, I have always been really hard on myself. Was I reading enough to the kids? Was I cooking healthy enough meals? If I felt I was coming up short, I would berate myself ruthlessly. I am so done with that! Lately, my attitude is that I am not the perfect mom by any means, but I am certainly good enough. My kids are happy, healthy, they get decent grades, and they are in reasonable demand on the playdate circuit... no more need to beat myself up. The kids are alright.
- Keep up healthy habits. After an emotionally stressful period early this past fall, my pilates instructor (who is also a marathon runner) encouraged me to start running for stress relief. I started slowly... and soon realized that running while blasting loud music on my ipod was a quick cure for just about any emotional distress I could come up with. Now I can't wait to get out the door in the morning because I know that my run means I will be in a good mood for the day--no small task in my case. And that makes me a better mom, wife, and person.
- Stay connected to friends. Having kids and starting a business definitely put a damper on my social life over the past few years. I have often said that the only way to get through the day effectively is to prioritize, and for me, the priorities have always been family and work. That has started to change. My business is now established, and it is not such a roller coaster for me as it was in the first few years. Now there is more time for my interests... such as my friends! I have enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and spending more time with them, as well as reinforcing my friendships with the women in my town. Let's face it, we all need our girlfriends, and I hope I never go through another phase where I can't find time for them!
So, how about you? What are your New Year's resolutions?