I love this fresh way of entering a new year. January 1 may have passed, but I’m still knee-deep in reflecting on the past year and dreaming about the year to come. I was inspired by my friend Casey’s post who was inspired by Lara Casey’s original post. Why make a list of all the things we want to change and add and check off before we first consider the things we’ve done in the past that need to be cut? I have quite a few things I’ll be letting go of in 2015.
Getting Ready in the Morning
Since Charlotte was born, mornings have been a challenge for me. We don’t get up super early in our house. Okay, I confess, we usually wait until the kids are awake before our feet hit the floor. Trying to get showered, fix my hair, get makeup on, feed and dress everyone was just too much. The kids were always fussing while I was trying to maneuver the steaming curling iron in a way that was out of their reach. It was pretty much a disaster every morning. I’m not sure what took so long, but I found a simple solution a few weeks ago. Now, I get ready at night. Instead of showers I choose piping hot baths while I sip on some wine or hot chocolate. Because I’m away from the TV and computer, I choose to read and pray instead of getting lost in mindless entertainment. It has been the perfect way to wind down and end the day at peace. Ask my friends, I’m pretty passionate about bath time and think everybody should try it. No really, it’s life changing.
Making Excuses for an Unhealthy Life
I spent the last half of the year making excuses about my health. It was a super busy season for me (yay for that!), and I found myself running to get fast food at 3PM after realizing I didn’t eat lunch. Exercise? It wasn’t even on my radar. I remember foolishly thinking as a 25 year old training for a half-marathon that I would never be the person who didn’t exercise. I love running, I said to myself. I loved how strong and powerful it makes me feel, and I’ll never choose to sit on the couch in stead of exercise. I kind of want to go back and punch that girl. 2014 was an amazing year for me spiritually, emotionally and relationally, but my physical body was not in the same place. I’m vowing to say no to excuses in 2014. I will treasure the body God has given me, and I will not complain about the features I don’t like.
Letting Work Run My Life
There were too many days that I said yes to others and said no to my family. I had too many 12 hour days, early mornings and late nights. I said yes to meetings that actually weren’t at a good time for me. I missed dinner and bed times and will be making some serious schedule changes this year. One of the great advantages of being a business owner is getting to set your own schedule. Last year I let it run me.
Reality TV
It’s always been a guilty pleasure, and I’ve already had several break ups with The Real Housewives. It’s not the worst thing on TV – okay, it’s pretty bad – but it’s more about what it keeps me from doing: going to bed on time, reading, praying, spending time with Andrew. I really do miss Lisa and Yolanda – no, really – but I’m choosing better things than getting absorbed in the lives of the rich and famous of Beverly Hills this year.
What about you? What didn’t work for you in 2014? What do you need to cut from your schedule? What do you need to say no to in order to say yes to something even better? I’m excited to share more about what I’ll be saying yes to in 2015!
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