New Year’s Resolutions for Moms
Happy New Year! I’m officially back after taking a month off. We moved (25 minutes from where we lived before!) and let me just say that was a whirlwind! I’m happy to be back doing what I love and connecting with all my mama friends. The start of a new year brings fresh motivation, big dreams, and a clean slate. For moms, however, New Year’s resolutions can sometimes feel overwhelming instead of inspiring. Truth be told, I’m not always the best when it comes to sticking to my resolutions since some of them are unrealistic and don’t last long, but I’ve decided to put together a couple realistic resolutions that all of us moms could work on. The key to successful New Year’s resolutions as moms is to set flexible goals without adding stress or guilt to your life. Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on progress, balance, and habits that fit into your everyday routine.
Learn to say “No” without the guilt
Moms are often burdened by unrealistic expectations. Acknowledge that you can’t do it all, and that’s okay. Setting boundaries is essential for your mental health. Saying ‘no’ allows you to focus on your priorities without overwhelming yourself. For me, this means prioritizing my family and saying no to taking on unnecessary tasks.
Celebrate small wins
Celebrating small wins and accomplishments is a great way to foster motivation, confidence, and a great reminder as moms that we are doing an incredible job. I’m starting a victory jar where I add notes of daily wins to visually celebrate any progress and positive experiences. Celebrating small wins could also mean sitting down with your spouse before bed and sharing what you accomplished during the day. For me, I always count it as a win if I make it through the day without a tear - darn hormones still!
Practice Positive Self-Talk
As moms it’s common to constantly doubt ourselves. It’s important to remember that we need to practice self-compassion. It can be easier said than done, but I know the more positive self-talk I do throughout the day, the less stressed and anxious I am. It can be as simple as replacing the words “I’m failing at this” with “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”
Create routines that allow for flexibility
I thrive off routine and so do my kids. Routines help me stay on track and reduce stress. I’ve been loving my Skylight calendar as it’s been a great way to sync my family’s schedules on one screen along with tracking chores. We recently started a reward star chart on our calendar for Blake which keeps him motivated to help around the house. If he gets up to 10 stars, he gets a special treat. It’s always important to remember to have flexibility within any routine because rigid schedules can lead to frustration. Trust me, I’ve been there and it’s so much easier to go with the flow and be flexible whenever I can.
Focus on gratitude
I’ve found that focusing on gratitude has enhanced my mental well-being and helped shift my focus from stressors to joys, even during tough times. Along with a victory jar, I also created a gratitude list on my phone where I can type a note in my phone whenever I feel grateful and on the flip side whenever I’m having a bad day I can easily pull up the list for a gentle reminder of all the blessings in my life even if I may not feel them at that particular moment.
Connect with Your Identity Outside of Motherhood
It’s very easy to get lost in the trenches of motherhood, but you need to take care of yourself too. It’s not selfish, it’s important for your mental health and family. I find that when I make time for myself, it in turn makes me feel more fulfilled which makes me a better mom and spouse. Personally, I’ve taken up horseback riding again and it’s been such a great way for me to connect with my identity outside of motherhood. Riding is truly the best therapy.
Put down your phone
This is something that I’m constantly working on. I love connecting with my friends and family on social media but sometimes it can be too much and take over my day-to-day life. I don’t want to miss out on certain moments and milestones with my kids, so I’ve dedicated times throughout the week where I completely turn my phone off. So far, it’s been so refreshing and has allowed me to slow down. One of my friends also recommended Brick which is a physical device that temporarily removes distracting apps & their notifications from your phone. I can’t way to try it so I’ll be reporting back. I’ve heard nothing but great things!
Spend one-on-one time with each child weekly
As a mom of two, my kids are constantly fighting for my attention. It’s important that both Blake and Blaire feel like they are getting equal attention and love. I will be making it a priority to schedule one on one time with both of them weekly. I want to be able to engage in meaningful activities with both my kids along with being fully present. I recently signed Blaire up for mommy and me gymnastics and Blake and I will be going to the indoor trampoline park next week. All exciting and new adventures to look forward too!
Revisit your resolutions
Writing down your goals makes them more powerful. Along with my calendar, I bought this goal planner that only I can see where I can review my goals regularly. I’ll be checking in monthly as a way to stick to my goals and asking myself, “What’s working, what do I need to change or what feels overwhelming?”
Just a reminder that success doesn’t mean sticking to every resolution perfectly. You’re only human, so give yourself grace. Success could mean feeling more balanced, creating healthier routines or just making any progress, regardless of if it’s slow. Every step counts so keep moving forward.
New Year’s resolutions for moms shouldn’t be stressful or rigid. By setting realistic goals, focusing on small habits, and giving yourself grace, you can create meaningful changes that last well beyond January.
XO- Heidi
