Focusing on Quality Of Life, NOT Quantity In The New Year

Happy New Year everyone!

For most of us, it’s back to work and school today and the temps outside are frigid.  It’s awesome that some of us get to stay inside and stay warm.  My kids (Ella and my daycare kid, Eva) don’t start back to school till the end of the week, so we still have a few more days to relax and hang out before we get completely back in gear.

At this time of year, we tend to think of New Year’s Resolutions and what we think we can accomplish in the year to come.  I think most of us make the same ones year of after year: lose weight, stop smoking, get out of debt, etc…  And, those are great goals to have and I think they’re very attainable, if that ‘s your thing.  This year when I thought about my resolutions/goals for myself, I decided that I’m focusing on “Quality of Life”, NOT “Quantity”.

We tend to spend our days cramming in as much as we possibly can from the time we get up to when we go to bed at night.  It causes high blood pressure, stress, insomnia and bad moods. It’s not good for us and it’s not good for our families.  Yes, we may think we’re doing a good thing for all those around us when we fix the perfect breakfast, get the kids to school, play groups, doctor’s appointments, lunch/play dates, do the dishes, the laundry, fix dinner, get the kids a bath and a story and then the kids to bed, more laundry and so and so on, all in one day.  We end up falling in bed late at night and not getting quality rest and wake up fatigued, stressed  and more tired than we were when we went to bed the night before. I’m guilty, I admit it and it’s not good for anyone – especially us!

So, my goal this year is to cut back on the “stuff” and spend more time on creating a more relaxed quality of life for myself and my family.  So maybe the dishes will sit in the sink for half the morning while I have a cup of coffee that isn’t cold, it’s OK.  Maybe we have cereal for breakfast one day instead of eggs, toast and fruit or pancakes.  The kids won’t care and may actually prefer it sometimes!  And, we must remember that life will go on if I have to do all the laundry in one day instead of breaking it up over the week. It’s all OK!

It’s OK to be a little selfish and take time for ourselves too.  Maybe head to Starbucks on a weekend afternoon while the kids are resting and hubby hangs out. (my fav thing to do!)   Maybe get a pedicure or manicure once a month or even just head to the library for a little quiet time with a good book or magazine.  Carving out a few minutes a week for ourselves will do a world of good for us all!  We end up calm, more patient and better moms.

So, I invite you to join me this year in focusing on your “Quality of Life” instead of “Quantity of Life”.  It may be a little hard in the beginning to calm down and let a few things go or to give up a few things, but I think it won’t be long before we’re saying NO a little more and saying YES to ourselves!