I’m really not into making New Year’s resolutions.
I felt in the past that I just set myself up for failure.
I don’t feel I need to make any drastic changes for improvement. Of course, there is always room for improvement, but I don’t need an overhaul or anything.
I don’t need any challenges for my health, weight, reading, happiness, or faith.
I don’t need a one word to live by. I’m a Christian and I don’t need any Eastern mysticism or New Age mantra.
I don’t need a gimmick to post online, to show anyone that I’m anything.
I don’t need a fancy expensive planner with stickers and colored pens. I don’t need a Bible coloring book. I would never use those.
I don’t need affirmation from strangers that I’m on the right track.
I just carry on.
I frequently set small goals that are attainable – all throughout the year.
What I do year-round:
I already read at least one book each week, in addition to multiple read alouds with my children. We don’t read fluff or self-deprecating pseudo-Christian self-help garbage. We read classic literature, the Bible, well-written non-fiction on a variety of subjects, and occasionally popular contemporary fiction.
We enjoy music and art, visiting museums often. We create and learn, listen and observe.
I read the Bible, write scripture, and pray every day. My children do a Bible study together every morning. We as a family have devotions every evening before bed.
I exercise almost daily for 30 minutes or more.
We all eat mostly natural whole foods. We all cook together and it’s fun to try new recipes. We’re incorporating more plant-based recipes into our repertoire.
We take vitamins, use a happy lamp, and try to go outside daily to stave off depression and winter blues.
We’re well on our way to being debt-free! Our only debt is a car payment and one low-interest loan.
What I’m not doing:
I realize I can’t change the world. While there are probably many great charitable organizations, we choose not to support any at this time. I realize this is an unpopular view and makes me seem callous, but I can’t justify spending time and money where I see so little change or good. I won’t share hearts on Facebook or dump ice water on myself. I’m not going to throw out all my clothes that might not be sustainable and only wear whatever the trend is this week to support whomever. Too many people have the “look at me!” addiction for all they do for whatever cause.
I focus on respecting my children. “Even if we fight against racial injustice, even if we fight for world peace, even if we fight for a sustainable world, if we are using our power over the children in our lives, we are perpetuating injustice and oppression. We are setting children up to accept a world that is based on the more powerful controlling the less powerful.” Teresa Graham Brett
Worrying what others think. I just don’t have any time for this. Moderators may delete my comments and posts from online groups. I may get hateful comments on my blog posts. I may be ridiculed by family or at church or in our local homeschool community for my personal views and parenting style. I’m secure in myself and I don’t need the approval of others. People may be rude or thoughtless, but I am responsible for my reactions.
I limit my screentime and social media use because of how negative it makes me feel. I don’t need any comparisons to feel less-than. I won’t shame or embarrass my children or cats or husband online or in public. I ask their permission before posting anything about them online. I watched Broken Mirror on Netflix recently. Technology is a tool. Social media should not be a way of life. It’s artificial and I prefer reality.
This was a great post and encouraging. I think there are lots of us that should take your words to heart.
I would love for you to link at The Fabulous January Party and share these inspiring thoughts.
The party is here:http://ourholidayjourney.blogspot.com/2017/01/january-fabulous-tidy-up-link-party.html
Like you, I don’t like to make resolutions…I generally do pick a word for the year and it keeps me fairly focused…this yr is POSITIVE….
Good post.
This post was a very interesting. It brought up many things that I hadn’t considered before. On thing that stood out for me was not to worry what others think, but just to live the life you are called to. Of course this doesn’t mean that you are unfeeling, or unloving, but that you choose to life out the life you are called to live and not live what you think other people would want you to live.
I love that you take the time to look at what you ARE doing! I don’t make resolutions either :) In fact, I wrote a post about that.
You’re my neighbor on #LMMlinkup.
Blessing to you and yours in 2017!
Beckie from Spotlight
Great advice and reminders for every day of the year! Thanks for sharing at Over the Moon.
God made us all so different, yes? I do make resolutions, I choose a One Word, etc., but it’s how God works in my life. But I know he works differently in each of our lives. That eliminates our need to compare or judge each other. May you continue to find peace and joy in your choices as I do in mine. God is faithful to each of us! I’m thankful for his grace.
You are my spirit animals. I don’t do resolutions either nor do I worry about what others think about me. I have zero time for that. My life is simple and I like it that way. I despise the spirit of comparison that so easily attaches itself to us these days because of the crazy social media world in which we live. The Bible tells us not to compare our lives to anyone.
We have a lot in common; clean eating, spending time with God, exercising etc. May God bless you and your family this year.
Thanks for sharing the way God is working in your life. So wonderful that He is able to communicate individually with each of us according to our unique needs.
I like many do not make reolutions rather choose to support what I feel is necessary at this time in our lives and what I see is the need for “real kindness” soit is my goal to show kindness to all those I come in contact with and to share a bit of kindness in all my posts on my blog in someway.
Thank you for your point of view and for stopping by Oh My Heartsie Girl WW this week.
Have a great weekend coming.
I’m with you on the social media thing. I really noticed its impact before the election so I purposefully backed off and limited my exposure to news outlets as well. I found a definite change that I want to carry into 2017… and funny, that along with less time on social media, I have way more time for people in front of me!
Thank you for sharing your much enjoyed post with us here at Tell me a Story. I don’t make resolutions either, and was careful about my year end contributions to organizations. I am glad you are exposing your children to good literature and true life books as well as the Bible. Your children will rise up and call you blessed, and it matters not what others might say or think of you or of me.
I think you bring up some good points here. We don’t need and shouldn’t seek the affirmation of others. I do believe it is good to be generous and God calls us to it when our resources allow. There is blessing in it for us and others. I love that you are a confident woman of God who is secure in Christ! You go girl!
God bless,
Patty
I don’t do New Year’s Resolutions, either. I try to focus on taking consistent small steps in the direction i want to go. It works better for me.
I’ve never made a new year resolution in my life! Happy New Year to you & your family!
Cheers :)
#practicalmondays
I don’t make resolutions either. I do choose one word to focus on for the year. :-) Thank you for linking up with the LMMLinkup.
I like your attitude, Jennifer :) …just carry on!
stopping by this week from the Encouraging Hearts & Home blog hop.