Hello 2012

One of the discussion sites I belong to asked what are your New Years Resolutions.  I don't like to make resolutions because I feel like that is setting me up to fail so I like to call them goals.

Here they are:

1. Be more present 

For my daughter mainly, but in everything I do. I feel like I stress about work and I bring that stress home. I want to leave work at work and when I'm home with my daughter I want to make the most of every minute. No more excuses like I'm cleaning or I need to focus on dinner when she asks me to read her a book or color with her. I want to make time and talk to her and play with her and enjoy the wonderful little person she is.

2. Be more active 

I'm bad about this in the winter, it's dark when I leave in the morning and it's dark when I get home so I just feel blah. I vow to do something about it. I usually plop myself on the couch after I put my daughter to bed and veg, then wonder why I can't get rid of those last 5lbs. So I want to get up and move. I have been good about it so far and have set up a work out schedule with my mom and worked out on my own the other days. Now I just hope I can stick with it.

3. Make more ME time (and not feel guilty about it) 

I am a single mom who works full time. I call my "me time" my lunch break which I typically work through anyway. I will occasionally go out with friends or go visit them without my daughter, but I always feel guilty about it even when I know she's just sleeping. I feel like since I'm all she's got I need (and want) to be there all the time. So I have lost touch with most friends who don't have kids and don't have much of a social life outside of her. I want to change that this year because I think having me time makes me happier which in turn makes me a better mom.

4. Be a great example 

I want to show my daughter how to be a giving, caring, considerate person and not just tell her. I think kids learn better by seeing than hearing.

5. Save 

I started couponing this past year to stay out of debt. This year I want to get even better at it so I can start saving some too.

6. Give back 

I'm very lucky with what I have. I have a huge supportive family that I know without a doubt will be there if I ever need anything. I have a decent job and can provide for my family and I want to give back this year. Maybe not monetary but time, supplies (aka free from couponing), etc.