My New Year’s Resolutions…Goals

Am I the only one who (usually) fails miserably at completing their New Year Resolutions?…Like taps out completely February 1st?  

Well, for 2018 I want to do something a little different. I don’t want to write down unrealistic resolutions for myself anymore because let’s be real, they probably aren’t going to happen. Going to the gym everyday, getting more sleep and learning a new hobby just will not fit into my busy mom schedule and I’m okay with it.  But what I do want to start this next year are New Year GOALS instead of Resolutions. What’s the difference? Resolutions, to me, are things I need to constantly be doing throughout the year to say that I’ve actually completed them, but goals are things that I can take a little longer to complete but as long as it’s done at least once by the end of the year I’m golden! The point is to have something that I’m working towards every day, I might not necessarily accomplish it every day but I’m trying towards each and every day.

With that being said, here are my 9 New Year Goals of 2018:

Make more close mom friends

I’m always looking for new mom friends, because let’s be honest, you can never have too many… but does anyone else feel like it’s a little hard to find other mom friends who you actually have things in common with besides the kids? It’s nice to have friends, who aren’t your kids, to have adult conversations with and to have a nice break every once in a while from the hectic life of being a mom. Whenever I meet a mom who I can potentially be friends with, I immediately jump at the opportunity because who other than another mom can actually understand and relate to what I’m going through? I just recently saw this hilarious video at Mothers of Preschoolers (MOP) that perfectly sums up my thoughts on finding other mom friends! Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gft7u6Q41j4

Find joy in motherhood

As a new mom, it can be a bit disheartening to find out that motherhood is not always rainbows and sunshine 24/7. Sometimes we experience more downs than we do ups (you know those cluster feeding nights, or teething days?) and that’s okay, they just make the ups so much sweeter and better! This year I want to enjoy the journey of motherhood more. Instead of waking up and wondering what the day will hold for me and how on earth I will get through it, I want to wake up full of joy and have fun taking care of my littles.

Start family traditions

One of the things I wish my family had more of when growing up were family traditions. Hubby and I have a few currently going with our family and we love them, but I definitely want to start more. I love the idea of setting aside a time each year to do something with the fam that my kids will be able to look back on and tell their kids about or possibly even continue on with their own families.

Take more pictures

I’d say I take a good amount of pictures, but I definitely could do better. One of my worst fears is that I’ll look back and have a whole bunch of age gaps between photos and my children won’t be able to remember the memories we made during those times because there’s no photos. Dramatic much? I know. But really, I cherish each moment I am able to spend with my kids and want to take capture these moments more.

Healthy eating

I say this every year and for the most part, I do pretty well with it. With my new cookbook out Happy Tummies: A Cookbook For New Mamas, it actually motivates  me more to be in the kitchen whipping up some delicious foods for not just the kiddos, but also me and the hubs. This next year, I want to keep building on that momentum by continuing to create healthy foods for not just my family but also for yours too!

Spend time with my hubby

By far my favorite goal for this year: spending time with Mike. As mothers, I’m sure we can all relate over the lack of attention our husbands get. I know for me, I focus so much on my kids and taking care of them that by the time they’re asleep, I’m asleep right next to them without even asking how my husband’s day was. During 2018, I want to make more time for me and him. Whether it be date nights out or staying in and watching a movie after the kids are asleep, just making more of an effort to spend time with each other without the kids is a good goal for me.

Make myself a priority

As moms, we are so focused on everyone else that we often forget about ourselves and what we need. I want to try to be a little more attentive to my own needs and treat myself whenever possible. Of course my family is my main priority, but taking time to stop and breathe every once in awhile, or do something that I actually enjoy is good for the soul and we, as mothers, deserve it.

Create memories and experiences

2018 should be about creating memories and experiences with the people I love most and that’s what I’m going to spend it doing. To do this, I’ve realized I don’t always have to go on a family vacation or be at an event, it can be done from anywhere including my own house. As long as I’m spending quality time with my family and friends that’s all that matters.

Give up on being perfect

I know I’m not the only mom who made it her life mission to be the perfect mother. The mom who is always on top of things: has all of the laundry done, dishes done, house clean, kids bathed and in bed on time all while sipping hot chocolate out of her #1 Mom mug. Well, that’s not me at all… I don’t even own that mug! For 2018, I want to stop comparing myself to others and start being the best mom I can be. When I mess up, I’ll brush myself off and try again another way next time. I love this quote, “There is no one way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one”.

What are some of your New Year’s Goals? Share them with us on social media using #happtummiescookbook!

Hello! I am Karen Folcik, a wife, mama, speaker and author of  Happy Tummies: A Cookbook for New Mamas. For recipes, tips and more follow me @happytummiescookbook on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.