New year, new me.
Bigger, no not bigger, skinnier, yes…skinnier…
better…healthier…prettier…funnier…more organized…better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend…health is wealth…positive vibes only…gym 4 days a week…more social…less drinking…
wait…can that be right? Employee of the year, more quality time with my husband…one on one time with each kid…did I mention skinnier? Strict schedule, but not too strict…loosen up…but not too loose…no chaos in 2020.
Sound familiar? I hope that this is not your train of thought as we move fresh into the new year.
Does anyone else feel the extra pressure NOT to waste this year, solely based on the fact that it is 2020? As much as I love the idea of a reset, I also resent it. I have a LONG list of things I want to change about myself this year. Just reading over it, I AM EXHAUSTED. Why is there so much to change?
These thoughts come in to play before I even open my social media. Compare…contrast….criticize myself….repeat.
Why even try to lose 20 pounds, when “INSERT SKINNY FRIEND” has clearly maintained her weight for the last 500 years? There must be something wrong with me. Why do I think I can have a clean/organized house goal, when “INSERT OCD FRIEND” does not even have to put having a clean house on her list because she can maintain it 24/7…so why do I have such a hard time keeping my house tidy? There must be something wrong with me.
I do not care how put together your life is…we ALL have insecurities, feelings of unworthiness, or doubts that we will never get to our “ultimate life goal status.” That is OK. It was ok in 2019, and it is ok in 2020. It is great to have a list of things that we want to work on; personal growth is amazing and beneficial. This year, I encourage you to also create a “MUST NOT CHANGE” List.
Here are some examples from my list.
Must NOT Change in 2020
Not feeling the need to post every family bonding moment.
Keep complimenting strangers.
Trying to make your husband and kids laugh whenever possible.
Letting a car turn in front of you whenever you can.
Smiling at random people.
Doing acts of kindness, without telling anyone.
Being present in conversations.
Looking for the good in people
Giving the benefit of the doubt.
Leaning on the side of grace.
Do I have a lot to work on this year? ABSOLUTELY. But there are also a lot of things that I love about myself and I need to remember those thing s too. This year, I am going to try a little everyday. Let’s all keep in mind that even if our list of changes in 2020 is lengthy, there is another list that is even more important ….and that is the one that we should strive to never change.
Cheers to the same you, with some slight adjustments…maybe…:)
