I must have fallen asleep for the past year according to the date of my last post.
I’m like the Rip Van Winkle of blogging.
That’s not the standard I’m striving for. But I’ve got big plans for this year — writing more often than once a year being a top goal. My new strategy will be to set goals, and then take it down like three notches so that they’ll be achievable. Clever, right?
Do you set goals and check in on them?
Instead of having many things I want to do, such as hobbies and general goals, I’m going to try to set a weekly, monthly and yearly goal. And then, I have to hold myself accountable by setting aside time to measure my performance and progress. I’ll admit, that doesn’t sound as fun or easy as “I want to run more,” or “I want to meal-plan.”
Now, I have to do the laundry and actually take it out of the dryer on the same day. Seriously. At the end of the week, month or year depending on the goal, I’m going to check in on my progress.
See, Mommy is going back to school too! {Looking around for cheers and approval}
When you’re a parent, you’ve got your own goals and your kids’ goals to manage. It’s a full plate, and it’s very easy to get swallowed by the kid stuff and neglect all the you stuff. There isn’t much of a work-life balance unless you are consciously creating those boundaries and compartments within your life.
Note to self: Compartment the shit out of my life.
Second note to self: Don’t compartment literal shit, but you know… everything else.
Round and Round the Hamster Wheel
Being a full time parent for the past eight years has meant that at the end of the day, I am exhausted from head to toe but can’t count all the things I did to make everything run smoothly. I know I accomplished a ton — a Trumpian amount if you will. But, the feeling of running in circles doesn’t equate to actual direction.
Now that I have a third-grader and a full-time preschooler, I will have more quiet time each day to write, exercise, reflect and plan for more conscious growth. It’s a privilege I know I’m lucky to have, so I plan to use my time more intentionally.
I’m excited. It’s going to be a new chapter in my life with two kids in school full time. I’m anxious because Noob 1.0 has some bigger changes in school this year with a transfer teacher and state testing. I’m hopeful because I have time to write more and connect with all of you again. I’m intrigued to see how the noobs will do in gymnastics and musical theater. The introvert over here (that’s me!) is nervous about new social circles and meeting more parents. Believe me when I say that the social and political culture for parents at a public school is legit and difficult to navigate.
Fall Reboot – Sexier than New Years Reboot
Even if you don’t have kids in school, Fall is the perfect time to reboot and start anew. Who needs New Years resolutions when Fall resolutions are so much sexier. (I can just hear Noob Daddy saying that it isn’t officially Fall until September 22, but who cares. I measure Fall like a teacher).
I urge you to set aside ten minutes tonight to decompress and reflect on how life is going. Give yourself credit where credit is deserved! Seriously. Write down a non-kid related goal that you will accomplish by Sunday and check in on that goal. Make it easy.
I’d love to hear some of your goals!
My goal was to write a new post — regardless of it being funny, helpful or relevant, but just to write something and move out of dormancy. Adios Rip Van Winkle! Happy dance!
Jenny says
Well aside from having a gallbladder operation next week (😓) my goal will be to go swimming while I can. So it’s daddy day care for the 8 week old and 2.5 yr old for a few hours 😎☕️🍼👌
Noob Mommy says
Wishing you a smooth operation and recovery!