I love the clean slate of a new year. The prospect of new beginnings, new challenges, new hopes.
We talk a lot of New Years resolutions, of ways to be better, do better, look better, accomplish more, stress less.
I started to think about any New Years resolutions I might make this year, and decided I really didn’t need any. Yes I could try to do all the above things ‘more’ or ‘less’. I could eat better, exercise more and probably drink less. But at the end of it all, in fact at the end of 2012, I am pretty happy with where I am at.
Certainly I will make more plans and goals for my business. But these will be specific and hopefully when broken down in to bite size chunks…achievable.
But in terms of my overall happiness and contentment, I think I have it pretty well sussed. At least for all those things I have control over.
I will continue to devote the majority of my time and energy to my husband and my boys, to my extended family and to my many wonderful friends. I will continue to enjoy a role in the wider community through the connections I have made with my blog and business, through my boys schools and sporting clubs and with my role as Victorian Representative of the charity, Heartfelt.
I will continue to focus on my own physical and emotional health by taking time out for myself and by taking on challenges that keep me stimulated.
So maybe its a bit of a cop out……but hey….I have no New Years resolutions to break or feel guilty about…or carry over to next year!
So to all my readers and your families, Happy New Year! I hope 2013 is a happy and healthy one for you all xx
Do you make New Years Resolutions? If so, are you good at following them through?
This Post Has 38 Comments
I don’t make any resolutions – I always feel such a failure when I don’t follow through on them.
I am planning a year of building a healthier body – and one that won’t break down on my as much in 2013 as it did in 2012.
All the very best for this coming year.
Love, hugs and positive energy !
Me
IBOT visitor
All the best to you for your healthier body! Have a great year
Happy New Year lovely!!
I don’t make resolutions either, but I do choose two words every year that I am mindful of trying to put into practise. And that works for me 🙂
I think your way of thinking is brilliant! No pressure on yourself, and allowing what you already have to grow into something bigger!
xxx
I love that idea of 2 words! Would love to know what you have chosen this year x
I am terrible at making and keeping resolutions, a lot of it has to do with the fact that I always go for broke and they end up be totally unachievable. So this year I am just thinking of one thing. Patience. How to get more and keep what I already have.
Happy new year!
I don’t bother with New Year resolutions. This year I am teaching at a new school – so that will be big enough for me. I came over from IBOT.
This year I want to try and be a better mother and wife, mainly by being more patient, understanding and tolerant. 2012 was a hard year in regards to dealing with 3 young and needy children but they’re growing and so I want to make sure I’m a good role model for them! Happy New Year! Emily
I think we could all do with a little more patience, especially when it comes to dealing with young children. I am sure you are a fabulous role model. The very fact that you are aware of how your behaviour effects your kids tells me you are doing a great job x
I’m not big with resolutions. Happy New Year!! Rachel x
Happy New Year to you too Rachel x
I don’t have a personal new years resolution just some goals for my blog. I have never made a new years resolution never saw the importance of it.
Goals are a much better idea. especially if they are specific and measurable.
I’m not making any resolutions either, so I think this is a great list.
I’ll set myself some goal words once I get a little more organised.
Love the idea of goal words x
Good on you for not going down a road that only leads to disappointment. I don’t actually know anyone who has made a new year’s resolution and stuck to it. What I do think is good about this time of the year is reflection. I think as busy parents we just don’t make the time to think about our lives and what’s important to us vs what is actually take up our time. I love your philosophy and have taken this point for as long as I can remember now. It’s a great place to be. Thanks for the reminder.
Absolutely Lou…reflection is so important and nothing worthwhile can ever really be achieved without regular reflection.
Not a cop out at all. I know there is no place I would rather be than standing at the opening of a New Year and feeling assured that life is just as it should be! It can only get better x
Thanks Kirri….I agree x
The only new years resolution I’ve *ever* kept was the resolution to never make another NY resolution! I don’t think the change of 2 numbers at the end of the date should be any reason to try and do things differently. If you want to lose weight, eat better, exercise more, it doesn’t matter what the date is, just that you do it! I do like the idea of a new year, clean slate, etc but it’s not going to make a difference in how someone behaves until they decide in their head and heart that they’re really going to do it, and that can happen any day of the year!
So very true. I am certainly not against people making changes to their lives when they are needed. But as you say, these need to happen for reasons that are valid and real with specific outcomes in mind, rather than simply as a result of a certain date in the year. x
Love your contentment. Am hopeless at keeping New Years resolutions. Although like taking the opportunity to take stock and reevaluate life. I’ve already broken to eat salad/ vegetables each day- but I’ll be more likely to eat them as a result of my resolution than if I hadn’t resolved in the first place.
Mmmm I think I could eat more salad and veg too!
Best wishes for continued contentment and a successful 2013 🙂
Thanks Alicia, and to you too 🙂
I’m still kind of mulling over my resolutions. I know that I want to incorporate more exercise into my routine and that of my kids. I want them to enjoy going for daily walks and have that flow on in their teen/adult years.
This year I plan also to be more diligent with my business blogging.
And finances, we HAVE to get our finances sorted.
OK, so I think I’ve just done my resolutions. 🙂
Happy New Year!
Great resolutions Shelly. I think incorporating exercise into your kids life, especially if you can enjoy it with them is an excellent idea. And we could all be a little more diligent with our blogging and finances! Happy New Year to you too x
I do make them, but I make realistic ones. There’s no use setting yourself up for failure at the beginning of the year!
I don’t make new year resolutions as I tend to make new aims and goals randomly throughout the year depending on opportunities and life experiences that present themselves throughout the year.
Excellent Marleisa, with so much of life being unpredictable this is a great way to be.
I think it’s great that you don’t need to make any resolutions – that where you are is basically where you want to be. That’s an awesome position to be in Martine – all the best for continuing to be in that place for 2013!
Thanks Kristy, I hope it continues too! x
No new years resolutions for me. I set myself goals throughout the year as new ideas and thoughts come to me, not just once at the start of a year.
Here’s to a wonderful 2013.
Yes being able to continually reevaluate is a great skill. Have fabulous year 🙂
I’m not big on resolutions either. I have some hopes for 2013 but I’ve decided that for me the ‘eat healthier, drink less’ kind of undertakings have to be lifestyle changes made when I really mean it – not on a day that almost always begins with a hangover! 🙂
It probably is the worst day to make any grand plans!
Love this, Martine! I don’t believe in new year’s resolutions.
Goals and challenges make more sense to me.
But it sounds like your life is fulfilling and you have some great opportunities ahead of you, whilst being surrounded by a loving, supportive family and fabulous friends.
Happy new year! xxx
Yes I am very lucky Grace. And goals and challenges are much better ideas!
Thanks for the great article. I’m just new here and I will be returning more often.
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