A new year has come upon us, including all the unrealistic resolutions that come with it.
It’s common place to have at least one of the goals for the coming year to include your waist line, but that is not the only route to a fulfilling life.
These past couple years have been exhausting with the nation under political distress and in a pandemic, so a little focus on the important things in life can only bring the kind of joy this coming year needs.
Sure, being physically healthy and eating right is important, but without goals that focus on your mental health the other stuff have as big an impact.
Choose one of these New Year’s resolutions to change yourself from the inside out, and have a lot of fun doing it.
1. Create a budget
A lot of us have created a budget at some point in our finances, but then have a hard time sticking to it when a sweater we had been eyeing for a month goes on sale or our kids want to go see every new cartoon that comes out.
Creating a budget that is realistic will help ease a lot of stress. It is useful to have a “fun list” on hand when you or the kids want to spend money you shouldn’t, giving you great options to spend time together without spending a dime.
There are free apps that can lay out all your finances and even pay your bills on time, taking a lot of the work out of budgeting.
2. Explore your culinary skills
Getting stuck in a food rut is easy, buying the same thing at the grocery store over and over- because you know the kids won’t complain!
Branch out this year into diverse culinary experiences by trying a new recipe every week, being sure to get feedback from the family on what they did and didn’t like.
Every now and again you will stumble on a new family favorite to add to the recipe box that you are going to pass down to your daughter, giving her memories and a palette most people covet.
3. Get back into reading
As a mom, getting the chance to finish a good book is rare, but so rewarding.
Check out Mommy Underground’s 4 books every conservative should have on their reading list and then branch from there.
Baby steps are key in sticking to this resolution. Don’t commit to a book a week, but only a few pages a day while the kids play outside or right before you begin laundry.
4. Make a cleaning schedule
Are you one of those moms who can’t walk by a dirty dish without washing it or have to fold every shirt with fine creases like Marie Kondo?
It’s exhausting even just thinking about having to stay on top of the house to that degree, along with tending to the kids and maintaining some level of self-care.
Make a cleaning schedule that either only focuses on certain areas of the house each day, or have a certain time of day you tidy up with the whole family rather than allowing it to consume your whole day.
5. Get back to making a grocery list
Prepping meals definitely takes a lot more effort up front but pays off in dividends in the end.
When you know what you are cooking for dinner every night, including your new recipe each week, it is much easier to stick to your budget- fulfilling multiple New Year’s resolutions in one fell swoop!
This will also help elevate waste by not buying things that look good in the moment or because you forgot to grab lunch before you went to the grocery store.
6. Volunteer
Giving to those in need and to your community is one of the best ways to find meaning and fulfillment in your own life.
And don’t think it has to be a solo event where you are just adding to your already busy schedule.
Include the kids with whatever charity you choose, they can do more than you think and will grow with a sense of empathy and respect for others.
Not everyone enjoys finding a New Year’s resolution because they think it will involve 2 hours of blood, sweat, and tears at the gym where they will eventually stop going and feel a sense of failure.
Choose a goal you can be proud of and that enriches your life beyond the scale.
(h/t Mommy Underground)