Chatter: 12 Tiny Ways To Brighten Your Year
Starting the year off with a new goal sounds appealing, but as moms, we face messes, meltdowns, and demanding schedules that can easily flatten our plans. The key is to be realistic and give yourself grace. Even tiny victories add up and remind us that. progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. So, we asked local moms:
What's your goal for the coming year, and how will you achieve it?
Pay off one of my smaller debts. I’m doing a few “no spend” months. I have a budget for necessities like groceries and gas, but I’m not buying anything else. This year I’m also canceling our streaming services… so I guess I’m also setting a goal for my kids to live more screen-free! Hah!
Get out of the house more often and go to local events that I can enjoy with my kids. We’re starting with the Syracuse Winter Fair.
Reclaim my self-esteem and feel more positive. A friend recommended the Sanity & Self app. It’s supposed to help with reducing stress, building better habits, and learning to love yourself.
Run a whole 5k. I’m going to join the running group at the YMCA.
I want to drink less. Mocktail mixing is an art that I am going to master this year.
Meditate. I bought a yoga membership and meditation cards.
Be more intentional in showing my kids love. Greet them with a hug before I start asking, “Where are your socks, did you finish your homework, why is there toothpaste on the cat?” Love first, logistics later.
Read more books. Eventually, I want to join a book club at one of the local bookstores. Right now, it’s hard to get out because my kids are little, so I am doing the online PBS Readers Club.
Cut processed foods. Switch white bread and pasta for whole grains and buy more snack-able fruits, veggies, nuts, and popcorn.
Be more social. Say “yes” more often to things like volunteering at my kids’ school and hosting more playdates for my kids’ friends.
Declutter one item every day for an entire year. I’m going to set up bins with labels: trash, donations, and hand-me-downs. Each time one gets full, I’ll take action and then work on refilling it again.
Do something I’ve always put off. I always wanted to play a musical instrument, so I signed up for lessons. This is finally my time to try!