It’s 1st January and I’ve seen countless posts on social media about making resolutions as well as a handful of ‘no resolutions here’ type ones.
I distinctly fall into the second category of people. Not because I don’t want to change a few things in my life, but because I know that pledging to do so on the first day of the new year is rarely a successful strategy for me. I prefer to set myself targets during the year when something crops up and I realise I need to work on it.
So, despite saying no resolutions, I am already working on a few things and they will carry on until I perfect them – regardless of when that may be.
Wife Duties
That sounds awfully 1930s, doesn’t it? Ha! But genuinely, one of my aims in life is to be the best wife I possibly can be. It isn’t about me dutifully cleaning the house or ensuring the children have their hair pristine every day, rather this target is to ensure that I communicate effectively with Col when things are going both right and wrong. A breakdown in communication can lead to a relationship breakdown and that is obviously not something either of us wants.
Together, we are strong, but we are also not immune to the stresses that come from being a blended family, working loads and having a baby on the way, too. I also vow to show him how much I love him on a daily basis, even if that is simply in the form of making him a cup of tea and bringing it to him in bed while I get ready for work. I’ve done this prior to getting married and don’t see why I should stop now.
Strength
It’s fair to say that my anxiety hasn’t been great for a significant proportion of 2022. However, I have certainly dealt with things in a different way. Avoiding things and people that trigger me has been perhaps the most significant change and it has helped me. I have always been fairly outspoken in particular situations, but being silent, when I needed to contemplate things most, meant that I was able to re-evaluate something. From doing that, I now feel much stronger and able to stand my ground when necessary.
Strength, for me, doesn’t mean tolerating the behaviour of others that I find unacceptable. I can be civil, but I will not turn my back on my morals just because I have known someone longer than somebody else, for example. For me, strength means that I have the courage of my convictions, even if it means that my life will change and I will lose a previous structure and security.
Fitness
Last year, I started New Year with a bang by taking part in a charity bootcamp. I also set myself the target of running to raise awareness of Dementia. Unfortunately, Covid took a hold of the entire household and I struggled to regain the level of fitness I previously had.
Fitness is something I have found challenging to stick to, except for Zumba. Rachel’s classes, that I have attended for almost 10 years, have been a constant in my life. When I was pregnant with my youngest daughter, I continued working out until I was 37 weeks pregnant and I felt amazing for it. 5 weeks and 2 days later, she arrived… and I did feel a little annoyed that I had a longer break than necessary. Ha!
Unfortunately, Covid restrictions (and a terrible lack of communication from the venue!) meant that classes with Rachel did not resume in the nearby town and I struggled to make her other Zumba fitness sessions because of work commitments. However, when she advertised a new class starting that I could attend, I was over the moon. Despite being pregnant, I returned, knowing my limits and how to take the intensity level down to suit my health needs and keep baby and me safe. It’s been fab and I can’t wait to go back again tomorrow night – I’m not sure I’ll make 37 weeks this time round, but we shall see! So, no resolutions related to fitness here – just a continued effort to be healthy and happy for me!
So, there you have it… why I have made no resolutions for 2023, but sharing some that I am bringing with me from 2022 that will continue as long as they need to. If you want to make a change, do it – don’t wait for the 1st January to declare it a New Year’s resolution.
