For most of my life I’ve refused to make New Year’s Resolutions. I’m not sure why. Perhaps it was a (pointless) rebellion of sorts where I acted out against the norm in a healthy(ish) way. I remember feeling clever talking with my friend’s older brother when we were teenagers, if I make a resolution NOT to make a New Year’s resolution is that still a resolution? I remember thinking he thought I was so very hilarious…

Even as an adult I didn’t want to make resolutions. Most people fail at their resolutions anyways so why would I want to set myself up for failure?! I never saw the point and felt it was stupid to procrastinate changing something in my life that I knew needed to be different. *Then I had kids*. Doing anything is pretty dang hard, especially staring something new or challenging! I needed a starting point… something like… a reset… a OHH a NEW YEAR.

So I humbly sit here in my early thirties, feeling like a real adult for the first time in my life and deciding to make a list of resolutions for the first time. Resolutions without a plan usually end in failure so I decided to add a few of the ways I hope to achieve them. I love advice so chime in! Here they are:

 1. Be more patient and intentional with the boys. (Including Ben.) They have to be number 1! There has been a lot of transition over the last 4 months and I want to regain structure and discipline in all of our lives. The boys went from part time preschool, to full time for a few months and then back to being at home full time. As much as I enjoy (most of the time….) spending time with them I don’t want them to fall behind. I am now working on a plan for next year and hope to have a structured learning time and schedule play groups. I’m considering putting them in a limited pre-school again but right now unless I start to work a LOT more, our finances can’t stretch that much. Ahhh well. We’ll see!

To help me with my plan I have a kit for teaching at home and we got Bear a Nabi tablet that has an accredited kindergarten program that I’ll be working with him on. I plan on also using flashcards for Bug- he really seems to love them.

More reading, less TV!

2. Eat healthier. I know, I know, this is a cliche one. Do I really need to expand on this? (LOL, I am cracking myself up AGAIN) But to be a little more specific, I am wanting to eat less food in general, drink little or no pop and alcohol. I’d like to eat less calories per day and less sugar overall. BWAHAHAHAHAH….. I love food so much so we shall see how this works…

I am using an app called MyFitnessPal that helps me track what I’m eating when I’m being honest.

… this isn’t really the best example. But this was delicious!

3. I’m scared to say this one… My heart started pounding a little faster even as I typed that out…. and I haven’t committed to what it is I’m scared of- OK, here it goes- RUN A 1/2 MARATHON! EEEEP! How am I possibly going to do this?! I’m going to continue to push myself physically in order to be fit and healthy- I feel so much better mentally. This would be a huge accomplishment for me and you betcha I’d be slapping a 13.1 sticker on the back of my car!

Hmmm. I have no idea how to train for this but I’m sure there is an app for that.

I think I can I think I can…

4. Pray more/spend more time alone. Another pretty classic one! But if I’m not taking care of myself, I tend not to be as intentional in life. I want to have an even deeper and more enriching relationship with God.

I have a Bible app, (where there is a daily verse that appears and a bunch of reading plans for all levels) a Mars Hill app (with daily devotions and access to sermons on a variety of topics) and a IHOPKC app (where I can watch the prayer room live and listen or watch conferences). All are great and help me out during the days that are extra busy and I don’t get a moment alone!

*No THANKS*… But for some reason the fact that I’m asked to “rate the bible” makes me laugh- this is the YouVersion app.

5.Get focused and organized with my blog and social networks. I want to dramatically  increase follows and likes on Twitter and Facebook. I want to get more viewers on my blog so I have a higher reach and can live my dream of writing a little bit more. As much as I hate to admit it- numbers really do mean everything when trying to work with companies and brands. More than they should in my opinion.

To accomplish this I have signed up for several conferences and look forward to learning and being inspired! Also, the wonderful Social Fabric offers advice and tips on a regular basis that I try to implement. I almost prefer that because conferences can be extremely overwhelming!

6. Believe in myself and don’t let other people’s opinions matter as much as I let them. This year I feel like I’ve come to terms with a lot of things. I’ve reset boundaries in a healthy way and love myself as I understand who I am. I’ve never been happier or more at peace. I kinda love life right now.

How do I do that? Speak truth to myself every day and pray constantly. It’s a battle and I intend to fight it until this isn’t a struggle. … If that day comes…

2013 is about truly, deeply and fully embracing strengths and weaknesses and loving myself for who God made me to be.

What are your New Year’s Resolutions? Do you have any advice or tips for me to succeed with my goals? Share ‘em!