4 Attainable New Year's Resolutions for Moms
by Annie Wiesman
Dec 22, 2021
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: there’s nothing magical about New Year’s. You’re not supernaturally transported to a better you just because the calendar turned to a new year - it’s just another day after all.
But there is a freshness about the new year that can inspire us to set achievable goals to try something new or make better choices.
We have a tendency as a culture to want to hack our way through life. And sometimes hacks are great because they can simplify our life. And a simple life has a lot of benefits, but we cannot simplify everything.
Many things in life require hard work, time and experience. So don’t be tempted to take the easy way out with everything. Recognize that making real and lasting change takes determination, intent and time.
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And honestly, being a mom is one of those things that requires hard work, time and experience. So don’t set yourself up for failure by expecting too much of yourself. Especially if you are a new mom, you have plenty of things you are adjusting to and you don’t need to make a long list of the areas you want to change.
But if you are a goal setter and feel you have the space to work on something new, I have some ideas on how to set resolutions for the new year that are within reach.
4 Attainable New Year's Resolutions for Mom
1. Develop a Routine to Help Things Run Smoothly for Everyone
Whether you are a type-A planner or a free spirit, everyone - especially children - needs some sort of reliable schedule. But the key to a good schedule is its ability to be flexible to change depending on the needs of your family. If you have a new baby in the family, On Becoming Babywise offers a structure that helps your whole family function well.
2. Cultivate a Spirit of Gratitude
There’s a lot that feels hard and overwhelming in motherhood, but when you develop an eye to see the small things to be thankful for, you change your perspective on life. Write them down to read later when things feel difficult. Tell your spouse about them each day, which could become a sweet time of connection for the two of you.
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3. Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Moms
What if we looked at the people around us with gratitude for the quality examples that we can learn from instead of a gold standard of who we should be? Find ways to incorporate the things you like into your own life and family in a way that works for everyone.
4. Go for a Twenty Minute Walk Each Day
There’s a lot that could be said about fitness goals, and certainly exercise is good for your body. But I recently read about the “growing evidence that staying physically active can help slow the normal declines in brain function that come with age.” And don’t all of us who struggle with “mommy-brain” want a healthier brain?
I’m not saying that just a simple 20-minute walk will give you all the clarity you need to function each day, and ideally you’ll want more than 20 minutes of walking in the long run, but we are talking about reaching attainable goals for the new year.
Pick one or two things that resonate with you to make it achievable right now. We were made to grow, change and improve. We were created to work hard at things, but there is also balance.
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Find the balance of trying new things, making better choices, and accepting yourself along the way. Understand that life is a process--no one changes overnight. And be sure to be kind to yourself during your journey.
Annie Wiesman
Annie Wiesman is the co-author of “Education Begins at Birth: A Parent’s Guide to Preparing Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers for Kindergarten.” She is a former kindergarten teacher turned stay-at-home mom who enjoys traveling, hiking in the mountains, and creating memories together with her husband and little girl.
