There’s always something magical about new beginnings, and a new year is no different. Even if people don’t keep all of their goals and resolutions, it’s fun to feel the energy in the air and the pep in people’s steps as they embrace the opportunity for change, growth and self-improvement. So, before I get deeper into this blog post, I just want to say cheers to 2018! May it be your best year yet.
I typically post on New Year’s day, but I took a break yesterday after 31 days straight of posting in December. It was hard some days to make a post happen, but I’m glad I took on the challenge. It definitely re-connected me to Zealous Mom and motivated me to blog more regularly. I didn’t want to wait too long after New Year’s Day to post, however, so here I am, back on the blog!
This New Year’s Eve was the only the second one ever I’ve been away from the boys. The other one was several years ago when they spent the night with my parents’, and my mom let them stay up until midnight for the first time. I went out with some friends Sunday to an event in Asheville and had an absolute ball, but when I woke up yesterday and looked at everyone’s family photos with their kiddos on New Year’s Eve, I felt a little mom guilt, like maybe I should’ve just stayed home with the boys.
But after some thought and conversation with friends, I realized I was being silly and dramatic. Part of being a good mom and a thriving adult is laughter, fun and fueling my own needs every now and then. Furthermore, the boys had their own fun with their dad and when I saw them yesterday, they were giggly and happy.
And for me, I must say it was insanely fun to let my hair down a little.
It’s so easy for moms and dads, especially those going through a separation or divorce, to feel guilt about certain things, but that guilt can be crippling. There’s an old proverb that says, ‘Let it come. Let it go.’ A lot of folks have a word of the year, but I’m going to have a quote of the year.
Let it come. Let it go.
Whether it’s good or bad, I will accept whatever comes my way and handle it in the best way I know how, but I also plan to let things go. I can’t worry about what others think of me or whether or not I made the best choice or decision. Life is too short to live under a cloud of stress and worry.
Along with my quote of the year, I have some personal goals, not resolutions, but goals. Some of them are:
Complete a triathlon.
Read more.
Work on publishing my children’s book.
Dig into my job.
Visit at least three new cities/towns/countries.
Unplug more often.
Strengthen my photography skills.
Blog more.
Pray more.
Be mindful of time spent with those I love.
If I keep these goals at the forefront of my mind, everything else will fall into place and I will more easily be able to let things come and let them go.
What are your goals for the new year? Whatever they are and whatever stage of life you’re in, I hope this year is amazing. And if you can, let your hair down a little. We all deserve that every now and then.
