I would have a hard time trying to find the words to describe this past year. While some of us struggled much more than others, it is safe to say we have all faced challenges in a time most of us have not lived through before. I normally love goal setting and coming up with new year resolution ideas as December winds down, but this year is far from normal. I still have gratitude for what this year gave me, and hopes for what the next will look like. Through my own challenges this year I realized two things: life is passing me by at an alarming rate, and I need to lower my already low expectations even further. So I decided to land on new year resolution ideas with those realizations in mind.
I want to soak up all the goodness in my life, and squeeze every last drop of baby out of my kiddos before they are too old to do so. I want to continue building a beautiful life, without the pressure or the guilt that comes along with it. Beauty is flawed. The imperfections and the cracks that make up our life allow for the sunshine to peek through, and I don’t want to miss that. As moms, life is always busy. If you are in a busy season, these new year resolution ideas could be exactly what you need for another year of chasing the joy.
I Resolve To Be Present
The biggest one for me, and one that can be super hard. I resolve to spend more time being present this year, in all the things. I want to be present with my kids, and truly hear everything they are saying before they stop wanting to tell me. When my husband tells me about a new show he is watching I want to remember what he is saying. I want to be present in my quiet thoughts when I sip my coffee. This year I spent way too much time glued to my phone, and I spent way too much time thinking about work when I am not at work. I want to be present in the everyday, even the mundane. These toddler years are right in front of me, and I want to be present so that I don’t miss a moment.
I Resolve To Have More Date Nights
This is not really a new idea for a new year resolution either. Date nights in the most basic 
sense are a staple for a strong marriage. They allow time for you and your partner to connect, and continue sharing joy with each other. Especially after becoming parents, finding time for date nights can be crucial as you build a partnership in parenting. Despite its importance, I have absolutely SUCKED at date nights this year. The worldwide pandemic certainly did not help. But date nights at home can serve the same purpose, and that time needs to be protected. This year I resolve to schedule more date nights with my husband and stick to them. Whether out or at home, that time will be cherished.
I Resolve To Walk Past The Mess (And Stop Rage Cleaning)
Of these new year resolution ideas, this one is going to be SO HARD for me. In the season of raising littles, a clean house is rare. Even with this thought crammed down my throat, I cannot help but feel overwhelming anxiety. When I look around at the crazy form our house takes on a routine basis, I often find myself rage cleaning, and bickering with my husband over small tasks. I get imposter syndrome thinking everyone’s house is cleaner than mine and I start to stress over what my girls think when they see mess. This new year resolution idea is more about my perspective. Keeping up with the house is a constant weekly task, but how I view this task is what needs to change. I want to do better with coming up with a division of chores and cleaning schedule that I can stick to, while not putting high expectations on myself with the overall cleaning outcome. This year as painful as it is, I will try to ignore the mess, and remember that there is a time and place for cleaning. And that place is not rage cleaning every evening at 10pm.
I Resolve To Be More Vulnerable With My Kids
As moms, we are the glue. We hold things together, we pick up the pieces, and we dry all the tears. We are the safe space for our little ones. Even still, I feel like there is a place for more vulnerability with our kids. We are their to provide them with the support they need but we are also there to teach them. As parents, we model everything for them and we are responsible for what they see as they grow. I want them to learn that their feelings are valid by making sure they know mine are too.
Vulnerability often breeds more vulnerability. If your kids know that things scare you too, they are more likely to tell you their fears. I want my girls to grow up truly knowing me. Not just me as “mom.” But me as me. Vulnerability builds more trust and genuine connection than always showing strength. With young kids, the moments of vulnerability are clearly controlled, but still vitally important.
I Resolve To Take All The Pictures
Moms take tons of pictures. I think it’s part of the job description. But one thing I find is that Mom is usually taking all the pictures and oftentimes is rarely in them. I found myself doing this a ton during my third postpartum experience this year. Standing just outside the camera’s view. Snapping pic after pic of my kiddos and sweet hubby. Always feeling not quite ready to be in a picture. After all, most of the year was spent in fourth trimester pajamas and mom buns. But I want to look back at the blur of these years and see myself alongside my daughters. I want to remember the joy I also was feeling in all of those moments. This year I want to take the same number of pictures as I have in past years, I just want to be in them more this time.
I Resolve To Perfect The Unapologetic “No”
This resolution is a continuation for something that I have been working on for the last few years, but it continues to be relevant. As a busy working mom, I have to say no to things. If I don’t, I end up dropping all the balls I am juggling, forgetting something, and swimming in a sea of mom guilt. I have to always be aware of my priorities and how I choose to spend my time. Being intentional and flexible is a must. But with competing demands, and a perfectionist Type A personality, I often find myself saying yes to things that I really shouldn’t.
I say yes to things at work, when I know I have family obligations that will make those extra hours difficult. I say yes to every friend or family dinner invite, when I really need a weekend at home to rest. In the rare instance I do say no, I always feel bad. I have been slowly working on learning the art of the unapologetic “no” and this year, I am fully committed to perfecting that art.
I Resolve To Be Content With Good Enough
I’m unsure when things being mediocre, simple, or just good enough became not enough. We are constantly bombarded with things that vow to make our life better or make us happier. We seek validation that the way we are living or mothering is “right.” I fall into the trap of seeking perfection, and I feel like I often miss the simple, beautiful moments right in front of me. One major new year resolution idea for me this year is to be content with, and strive for, “good enough.” I want to embrace the quiet along with the chaos. I work in a job that provides for my family.
As a mom, I want to let go of the expectations and be the mom that I am meant to be for my little girls. I want them to see a happy mom, and a mom that loves them more than anything. I want to be content with dinner on the table, no matter what it looks like. Family movie nights with non-matching pajamas. Happy kids, and happy parents who love each other and love them immensely.
What new year resolution ideas are at the top of your mind this year?
All the best,
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