In December I Will...

For the third year in a row, I started my New Year's Resolutions in September and with the intent to tackle one resolution each month, rather than following the more traditional route of kicking off on January 1st and attempting one or two resolutions over the course of the year. I choose resolutions as they come to me and according to what I feel I need to work on as each new month rolls around, and in the name of accountability, I touch base here at the beginning of every month to report back on how the previous month went and share what I plan to work on that month. Here we go!

Like November's resolution, December's resolution is a repeat from last year. I resolve to read to my kids - or let them read to me - every night. I do so less and less as they get older, and I know both Hallie and I (and I think Will) miss it.

This was - and I expect it will once again be - one of the toughest resolutions I tackle all year. With everyone coming and going at all hours of the day and night, finding even five minutes can be tough...especially when, at the end of the night, I just want them to GO.TO.SLEEP.ALREADY. But the extra effort will be worth it. I know it will.

💚

And for those of you who would like to updates on past months' resolutions, here you go!

November Resolution:

How did it go?
November included a fair number of rough days, which made it the perfect time to focus on the good. The little good, the big good, and all the good in between. I wrote in my journal every day through Thanksgiving, and then on Friday, I read through all of my entries to remind myself of the ways in which the month treated me kindly. This remains one of my favorite resolutions...


October Resolution:

How did it go?
I know a couple of Debbie Downers, and whenever I spend time with them, I'm reminded that my energy impacts those around me - especially my children - and that I need to regularly commit to decreasing my negative and increasing my positive energy. These encounters and conversations fueled implementation (and now maintenance) of this resolution, and I worked really hard to keep my complaints about the weather and the bugs to myself last month. I can't say I'll stop complaining about the weather all together - I am a Wisconsinite living in Texas, after all - but I am trying my hardest to maintain a (reasonably) positive attitude and share positive energy throughout the remainder of this year and into next.


September Resolution:

How did it go? 
This resolution remains a challenge, but I am making slow and steady progress when it comes to separating myself from my phone and my social media accounts. I continue to do better at leaving my phone alone for longer stretches of time and checking in on social media fewer times a day. I still struggle with having my phone out while watching television with Hallie - not all of the shows she chooses require my full attention. 😂


Did you resolve to change anything about yourself or your life this year? Last month? This coming month? How are those resolutions going?