January 31, 2015

2015: The year of runner-up resolutions...that will fail.


After a solid month of trying to figure out what New Year's resolution I was going to stick with, I have finally come to a decision. The resolution to end all resolutions. Before I let you in on my final choice, I want to talk about the other resolution contenders and why they are not going to cut it this year. This year, I refuse to fail.

Contender #1: Lose weight. 
UGH! I need to lose weight. I know this. I am not happy with wearing stretchy pants out of necessity.  However, I have had this resolution every year since I turned 18. Honesty, it is frustrating to keep failing at this yearly goal. I am back at it in the gym and have lost 8 pounds since January 1st, but this needs to be an ongoing healthy lifestyle goal and not my big resolution AGAIN this year.

Contender #2: Monthly family day trips.
It is less than 24 hours until the end of January and I never communicated this idea to my hubby. I guess I screwed this one up already. I was thinking back to my childhood and I remember taking a lot of day trips with my parents and my sister. I am starting to think that our kids are at an age that we can travel easier and without a diaper bag! Unfortunately, life gets busy and weekends fill up with errands, homeowner responsibilities and kids' birthday parties. I think that I will still push to get more experiences planned, but maybe not stress if it doesn't happen.

Contender #3: Keep the house in better order.
It is just not gonna happen. I have two kiddos and tons of obligations. I will keep sorting through the piles of stuff that builds up in our house. I have anxiety attacks when I think about how unorganized the house gets and I will just have to keep at it. Maybe I just need to work harder at teaching my kids how to help out around the house and eventually it will get better.

Contender #4: Be on time.
Eh... it is just not going to happen either. I stress myself out trying to get everyone where they need to be on time. Once again... I have kids. As soon as I get the second kid dressed and ready to go, I turn around and the other one has misplaced both shoes and started to raid the refrigerator. So, maybe I should just get better about apologizing for being late.

Contender #5: Grow my blog.
I am excited by all of the support for our project in 2014 and I am looking forward to rolling out more personal posts this year. This is only the 3rd post this year and I am still trying to figure out which direction I want to go with the site. But first, I might need a minute to clear my head and get a solid plan in order.

After outlining all of these resolutions that I have not started 1/12th of the way through the year or that I am realistically not going to tackle, what IS my 2015 resolution? My resolution is to keep trying. It may seem silly to some, but I think that it is the perfect resolution for me. Instead of inevitably failing at one or more resolutions, I am going to take all contenders along for the ride and just keep trying to get a little better at each one. If I don't get down to my goal weight, at least I am trying to make better decisions with my food intake and physical activity. If we miss a monthly family outing, we can just try to plan one for the next month. If my house is messy when company comes over, they probably know that I am trying my best to prioritize and not notice the hoard in the basement when they see how happy my kiddos are. If we get a slow start in the morning and I am running my kid into school in my PJs, I know that I am doing okay as long as my daughter gives me a hug and a kiss before running in to beat the bell. If I take a week or two off from writing for the blog, at least I will know that when I do write, it will be more personal and inspired.

I am looking forward to a year without the pressure of meeting an overwhelming resolution. Maybe it is time for everyone to rethink the focus of their yearly resolutions. 
Make them attainable. Make them flexible. Make them motivating.

Cheers!


Do you have a 2015 resolution?

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