New Year New Rules

I love the idea of a clean slate, and every year I feel the need to sit down and set new resolutions. Every year, I do actually make quite a bit of progress. Not perfection, but that’s not really the point now is It? This year however, my New Year rule is that there are new rules, or should I say no rules! I was close to this last year by choosing a word of the year instead of resolutions, but this year I feel 1000% confident in choosing to create my own rules. So what can I expect this year?? Grace.

Grace

If I had to choose a word It would be grace. Grace for myself and grace for others. Grace is not something that I have ever really truly acknowledged that I had. Instead I have strived over the years to be as close to perfection as I could. The standards were high, my goals were high, but when I failed I felt It so hard. It made me feel like less of a person because I wasn’t able to be that which was expected of me. I wasn’t able to be the person people wanted me to be. But, you know what? There’s only one perfect being out there, and it’s not me. That is so utterly and completely freeing. And the one perfect being is the One who has chosen to give me grace. Not because I deserve It, but because that’s His choice. I am undeserving, yet I have It. And I can give It to others too, no matter how undeserving (in my eyes) they may be.

Now, I’m asking myself… who do I want to be? Not, who do others want me to be? How do I want to respond? Not, how do others want me to respond? What kind of mom do I want to be? What makes a good mom? Not, what do others think makes a good mom? How do I want to express myself? How should I fill my time? Where can I serve others best? How can I serve others best?

What to Expect in 2024

So, instead of rules and resolutions that lead to missed days here or there, failure of completing a goal, the let down of ruining a streak, etc. I releasing expectations of myself and others. Who I am is between me and God. He is the only one who knows my heart. I am leaving behind other’s judgements or my perceived judgements they may have of me. I’m leaving behind grudges tied up in the ribbons of reconciliation. I am pushing forward, challenging my thoughts, creating boundaries. I am asking hard questions. I am putting in the work. I’m leaving behind restriction. I am welcoming all genuine and joyful souls. I am searching for meaning in the every day life. I am sitting in uncomfortable feelings and asking God to fulfill me in ways only He can. I’m excited!

Balance

I am welcoming balance. Not in the work/life sense of the word. I am bringing balance into all areas of my life. I am going to Rest more, indulge in the sweets, spend time alone and with my family and friends. I will spend time talking and processing, silent and reflecting.

I’ve been learning so much and I’m excited to walk into 2024 with a new lens of no restriction. How are you feeling about 2024? What are you thinking?