Looking to focus on the good stuff this year? I’m sharing 7 ways I plan to be happier in the new year – and you can too!
Happy almost new year everyone! I’m popping in to share a few un-resolution resolutions of sort just before we head on a family cruise. We’ll be sailing the blue seas for the next week, and I’ll only be checking in sporadically. Hellooooooo, vacation! I hope you all have a wonderful new years eve, and maybe, hopefully, you take a few notes and get your new year started with a whole lot of happiness. 😉
A few years back I wrote a post outlining 5 ways I planned to be happier in the new year, and this year, I’m going to take a page out of my own book, and once again, focus on the good.
You see, I kind of feel like resolutions stink. I’ve always sort of loathed new years resolutions, not because I’m against having goals in place, but simply because I think resolutions add too much pressure. We build up so much expectation for this “start” to a new year, when really, they are all just days, days when we could make a change without all of the noise.
All I’m saying is dream big every day.
If your resolution fell short yesterday, try again today. If you cheated on that diet only three days in, try having a healthy breakfast the next morning. Stopped working out for a few weeks, go out for a walk today. No judgment, just happier steps forward.
Focus on being happier in the new year.
Focus on celebrating the little victories and wins.
Be kind to yourself every day.
And give these 7 tricks to being happier in the new year a try …
7 Ways I Plan to Be Happier in the New Year:
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- Work smarter, not harder. THIS. As a mom and a business owner, I have A LOT on my plate. And I’m not good at letting go. But I do want to let go of those things that I can. The things that maybe I’m not the best at. I’m calling it outsourcing. Recently I’ve realized that it’s not only okay to let people be experts in their fields, it’s smart business. A few years back I hired an incredible photographer, and I’ve since added a phenomenal web developer, and an SEO expert, and I’m beginning to think I could use help with social media as well. I CAN’T BE EVERYTHING ALL OF THE TIME. I’m a mom, a wife, a business owner, a blogger, writer, and lawyer, but under the umbrella of a blog, I’ve also had to become a photographer, editor, graphic designer, SEO expert, marketing guru, assistant, the list goes on and on, and as it goes on, I become less great. In fact, on bad days, I feel like I’m failing at everything just trying to BE it all, and who does that help? Trust me when I say, absolutely no one. So I’m letting go a little and trusting the experts in their fields. I know money will be tight at first as I try to adjust and accommodate for the help, but my hope is that with the right help, this little blog of mine will continue to grow. (Can you believe it’s been 8+ years?!) Here’s to hoping I can start adding and growing even more!
- Soak up the success. When something good happens, it’s worth celebrating. From the smallest most insignificant wins to the big, amazing moments, celebrating is what makes the moments so worthwhile. Made it out the door with kids and all five packages for the post office in record time; I’m going to Starbucks because I earned it. Hit my highest page views ever because a pin went viral on Pinterest; doing the funky chicken dance and then convincing hubby to take us to dinner to celebrate the occasion. You name it, I’m cheering myself on. We knock ourselves for the bad, but never stop to cheer on the good. I’m focusing on the good.
- Stop calling myself “fat.” That word sucks. I have two beautiful little girls. The resulting stretch marks and soft skin I loathe – they held my babies as they grew and will continue to hold them – and if I can’t love myself, how can I expect my girls to love themselves? How can I possibly raise strong, secure, beautiful women, if all they ever hear is their own mother breaking herself down? It’s ugly and sad, and I’m going to try to be better, to love myself better. I’ll admit, I’ll probably be the worst at this one. I don’t know why I’m so guilty of self-deprecation, but goodness knows I’m going to try to break it. Even if it’s in baby steps. If loving myself means taking a yoga or barre class or going for a walk, great, and if it means taking a much-needed couch day or two with my little one, that’s great too. But I won’t berate myself because I didn’t exercise. I’ll build myself up and try again the next day. I’ll also accept my husband’s compliments. When he says I look beautiful, that’s just it, I look beautiful to him, and that’s what matters.
- Kick comparison to the curb. You are enough. I am enough. Perfection is exhausting. And a myth. I’m not saying I’ll get it right every time. I may still find myself comparing. Especially in the creative industry, it’s so hard not to compare what you’re doing to what your peers are doing; but I sure am going to try.
- Make time for organization. I’m usually pretty organized, but I love the process of writing things down. I’m going to really commit to filling in and staying on top of my LifePlanner. Here’s how I stay organized with my Erin Condren LifePlanner.
- See the good first. I want to be better about approaching situations with positivity in mind. (Typically I walk into things with anxiety, nervous about the response, and most of the time, it’s unwarranted and I’ve only worked myself up for no reason. It almost always turns out just fine.) There is good in there, in everyone, in every situation. I will try not to judge unfairly, or presume without understanding. I will try to enter each new beginning with an open mind. That’s how we continue to make strides.
- Embrace Change. Trust the magic of new beginnings. In case you missed the big news, we’re making a major move in a few months. I’m scared and excited, and scared all over again. But I have to be strong for my girls, and organized and ready and prepared. We have so much to do to pack up and sell our house in North Carolina, find a place in our new hometown, get the girls in a new school … oh gosh, the list goes on and on. So I’m going to get excited about all of the positive. There’s magic in new beginnings and this is a big, beautiful, exciting one.
So forget the resolutions, and tell me how you plan to be happier in the new year! Leave me a comment or say hi on on instagram, facebook, and twitter, and let me know about your wins. I wanna hear the good stuff!
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Photos by Annie Timmons Photography for Glitter, Inc.
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