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The Need for Change – In Three Areas

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Happy New Year

Happy New Year friends! Hope you all had a lovely holiday season with your family and friends.

Generally, once the holidays are over and the new year rolls in, people start thinking about new year’s resolutions. Honestly, I have not done them in a while. I used to do them a long time ago (well not very long – I am only in my 30’s). But I found myself creating long lists of random goals that I could not fulfill. I wore a coat of guilt for as long as the year lasted until it was time to make new resolutions again. As a result, I opted not to make long lists of unattainable goals in hopes that I could master them overnight. Rather, I am going for smaller changes to better myself and those around me. The key is to remember that changes may not happen over night. It takes work, motivation, discipline, and a whole lot of prayer. Trying to make drastic changes overnight only sets us up for failure.

In fact, I have already started working on some of these changes. It does not have to be a new year to do something good for the sake of your well being and for those around you, does it? Here are what I have been working on.

1). Saying NO: The other day, my husband told me that I was doing too much. Although I did not welcome the comment at that moment, I have to admit that he was right. As I considered the truth behind his “rebuke”, I started thinking about what I could cut back on and when I should say “no”. You see, I have a tendency to play superwoman and say ‘yes’ to many things. Earlier this year, when I had a newborn, I was forced to say “no” quite a bit and it really helped my sanity. I turned down a lot of invitations to events because I felt it was too much for me, especially if they involved going out with the kids at nights. That was a big no, no, for me then. But as the baby grew and began to be more mobile I fell right back into my ‘yes’ trap.

After my husband’s comment, I felt that something had to give. I could not keep up with juggling marriage, motherhood, homemaking, blogging, and even babysitting another little girl (not even three years old). Truthfully, I thought I’d be able to babysit and still keep up with everything else. But me saying ‘yes’ to babysitting (in all good standing) meant I was unconsciously saying ‘no’ to many of my own family’s events. So I had to give it up.

As for the blog, I’ll have to say ‘no’ to random postings and learn to plan better. Honestly, while I would like to blog about every thought that comes to my mind, I really need to find my niche and stick to it. It’s an area I have been struggling with for the longest time. And I have narrowed down some. But there is still room for improvement. Plus, it’s better for the blogging world anyway.

2). Getting a Good Planner: Here is my big secret, I do not have a planner on my phone! I know, in this day on age who’s using paper right? Me. Call me old fashioned but I still love writing my daily to do list down on paper. However, I find myself not been able to keep up with planners. I usually start off with them really well but then I tend to slack off at some point. I really would like to be more organized in this area because I think it will help me keep in line with my family’s schedules and events. I would also love to be able to keep up with a good blog planner to help me be a little bit more focused in this area, too.

3. Being Content with Less: It seems like the more I organize our home and de-clutter it, the more stuff I see blinding our way. Hmmn….. I wonder what is causing that? Could it be that the amount of stuff I bring back in after I declutter is outweighing what I got rid off? I think so. Now grant it, while I love shopping, I really do not go out and buy tons of stuff. Maybe just an item or two here and there that I find on sale. Most times, I cannot determine what I want so I walk out of the store with nothing. Or I bring something home and take it back two days later. Drives my husband nuts! I think part of my struggle is that I am still trying to figure out what colors and style of decor I want for this house. In our previous home, my decor was pretty much set. I feel like now that I have more space, I am constantly battling how I want to organize and decorate. Yep, my struggle is real.

Anyway, I really want to practice living with less. The saying that “less is more” is truly a great statement. Have you decorated for Christmas? And have you already taken down all your decor? Doesn’t your space feel so much less cluttered now? It’s like a breath of fresh air swept across my home after I took down our decor. So see how “less is more” could be applied here? Less decor, more space. That is what I mean. I want to be more content and I want to teach our children to be more content. Having more and more does not bring happiness. It only makes our lives cluttered whether it be mentally or physically. In addition, being content with less means that we may be able to give more to others in need. I personally have experienced this and it truly is a good feeling to help those who need it. I want to get back to being content with less.

So these are a few changes I have been working on. Like I mentioned earlier, I don’t expect them to happen overnight. But I am approaching each one with a slow, steady, and persevering attitude. How about you? Have you been making any new changes lately? I would love to know about them in the comments.

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8 thoughts on “The Need for Change – In Three Areas

  1. I’m hearing you loud and clear on the part about saying no! I, too, said yes to way too many things last year (most of it blog related). I have resolved to working smarter and not harder on the blog this year. And my word for 2016 is present as in being more present and not always wrapped up in a blog project. I took two weeks off during the holidays and purposely did not take on any sponsored posts during that time. It felt so good!

    1. That is a great resolution to work smarter and harder but not more. I will have to keep that in mind when things come, especially blog related, too. And it is always so good to take time off from the blog – I realized that on your end. Happy 2016!

  2. I don’t make New Year’s resolutions either but like you I do try to take stock of myself and my goals and make improvements. It’s easy to look up one day and realize you’ve said ‘yes’ to too many things and have become overwhelmed. Sometimes I just have to remember what my priorities are to know when to say no.
    When I’ve gotten a nice planner, I find myself still making lists. LoL. I love to be able to strike off those tasks which I’ve accomplished on a list!
    Happy 2016.

  3. Zan, you have nailed it! Being realistic with your goals and resolutions, as well as what will work for you and your family is so important. You do not help anyone if you are over-stretched and over-stressed. Great post. Have a wonderful 2016! ๐Ÿ™‚

    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai

    1. The saying “no” doesn’t always come easy. Sometimes it takes a little while to build up the courage. And yes, I still love pen and paper. Would love to read your article. Hope you are having a good year so far!

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