MamaCentric

It happens to me every year. Christmas arrives tied up neatly with ribbon and wonder, yet when the paper is crumpled and cast away, and the time arrives to take down the tree, I find myself counting down the days to the new year with the slightest sense of sorrow.

Perhaps it is the cultural pressure to pack the joy away and tuck it neatly into Rubbermaid totes stacked high in our garages, saving the warmth for the next December, while we place our focus upon greeting the chilly arrival of the new year. Maybe it is that we do not allow ourselves to linger in the gratitude and giving, but instead become consumed with plans for becoming better versions of ourselves.

Haven’t we done quite alright enough, this year?

But after living with my own heart and mind for thirty years, I know the wistfulness is something more…

The new year comes with just a tinge of sadness because I struggle with accepting the passage of time. My children growing taller. My beloved grandmother growing older. All of the beautiful moments slipping through my fingers before I was offered adequate time to hold them, to memorize their feel.

And most of all, I worry over that big ball dropping in Times Square because the countdown to midnight just might become a confrontation; the fact that I did not live up to everything I set out to become twelve months ago. Dreams remained dancing frivolously in my head and goals remained scrawled upon a notebook somewhere — likely lost in the clutter I did not manage to clear.

But I don’t want to do that again this year. I don’t want to set out upon some quest to become a different version of myself, only to race and rush my way through 2017 and arrive disappointed, finding that I didn’t become that woman at all.

In fact, I don’t want to resolve to be anything other than who I already am in the new year. Life is a continuous, natural act of evolving, after all, and even if I tried to interfere, my journey towards becoming has already been laid out before me; I am merely charged with following life’s beckoning call.

So in preparation for this year’s conclusion, I’d rather not worry with writing out resolutions. My thighs can stick around and serve as the “comfy” pillows for read aloud time. My messy home can go on with its mess. Thanks anyway, KonMari method; I’m in the midst of creating here.

Don’t get me wrong, I will set goals. I know, though my journey to traverse has already been planned and set before me, it is my actions, and mine alone, which will propel me forward.

But this year, I am going to build my goals around intentions, and focus on the weight of these five words instead: Courage, Compassion, Connection, Clarity, Consistency.

COURAGE

COMPASSION

CONNECTION

CLARITY

CONSISTENCY

Of course, living rooted firmly within my own heart for the year ahead is best supported when planned. I look forward to spending introspective time over the coming weeks with my beautiful STARTplanner as I navigate a plan for continued growth, setting attainable goals and filling the gorgeous Vision Board planning pages with my five intentions.

I love the gorgeous tones on the cover of my Hustle Daily Planner and its spiral-bound durability.  Helpful features include monthly mini-goal pages and daily to-do lists, along with action-step spaces to assist in turning dreams for intentional living into actionable practices.

Have you set intentions + goals for the new year? Do you have a planner that you love to support in your journey forward? 

I’m pleased to be partnering with the wonderful team at STARTplanner to host a giveaway and offer a Hustle Daily Planner to one of you!

Entering into the giveaway to win your very own 2017 STARTplanner is simple!

1. Enter via this form here.
2. Then, visit my Instagram Community and find the photo of my gorgeous STARTplanner.
3. Share one goal you intend to focus on in the new year in the comments.

I look forward to gaining inspiration as we share in discussing all of our intentions!

*The STARTplanner giveaway is open to residents of the US, only. (Apologies international friends!) Giveaway entries are eligible throughout the duration of the contest, from Monday, 12/19/2015 at 7:00 pm CST through Friday, 12/23/2016 at 12:00 pm CST. Winner will be notified via direct message on Instagram.

I recieved a STARTplanner in exchange for an honest conversation, yet, as always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own.