I became a mom nearly four-and-a-half years ago when my husband and I welcomed a sweet son into this world. Baby number one was quickly followed by babies number two and three, and to put it mildly, my life was turned upside down.
I say that affectionately and I wouldn’t change it for the world, but I’ll be the first to admit I’ve let myself go. I don’t mean that in a down-on-myself type of way. I’m not talking about the little bit of extra love around my waistline or my habit of wearing yoga pants five days out of the week.
I’m talking about the fact that I let my SELF go. I’ve forgotten who I am at the heart of my being, aside from mom, caretaker, and housewife.
So while there are a million and one resolutions I could choose to make for the new year, I’m focusing on one: this will be the year I remember ME.
This year, I’ll remember my dreams.
I tend to get so caught up in the day-to-day hustle that I lose sight of the bigger picture of things I’d like to achieve (you know, besides the pipe dream of staying caught up on the laundry). By telling myself they can wait—the promotion at work, the trip I want to save up for, the level of photography I’d like to reach—I’m depriving myself of things that would fulfill me in a different way than motherhood does. It’s time to prioritize some of my goals and take actionable steps towards them.
This year, I’ll remember my hobbies and passions.
I used to be the girl who always had her nose in a book. Sadly, I don’t know that I’ve read an entire book cover-to-cover since I became a mom, unless listening to Audible in the car counts. The same goes for daily workouts, and cooking, and creating art. So many things I used to love to do for me somehow became dispensable when I became “Mom”. I have more responsibilities now, sure. But that doesn’t mean I can’t work to make time for the things I enjoy. Sometimes it might mean saying no to an invitation or obligation so I can focus on a passion instead. Sometimes it might mean financial planning and pinching pennies somewhere in our budget so I can pay someone to clean my floors while I spend the afternoon at the lake with my family. Time is a precious commodity, and if I’m not filling it with things I love (within reason), then what’s the point?
This year, I’ll remember to care for my physical self, too.
I can’t be the only mom who is so exhausted she sometimes falls into bed without washing her face and brushing her teeth. I also sure hope I’m not the only one whose dinner often consists of her kids’ leftover scraps rather than a healthy, wholesome meal. I used to be super diligent about these things, but I’ve found it’s so easy to fall into the trap of caring for everyone else and neglecting myself. The thing is, all of the tiny details I’m so insistent on doing for my family? They’re just as crucial to my well-being.
This year, I’ll remember to make my faith a priority.
I went to church every Sunday as a kid, but in all those years, I never felt like I actually owned my faith. I was a church kid by title and not much more. In recent years, I’ve felt the desire to explore my faith on my own terms. This coming year, I plan to be really intentional about reading the word and spending quiet time with Jesus. Even if it means letting my kids watch an extra half hour of cartoons in the morning.
This year, I’ll remember me.
I love my family, and they’ll always be my biggest pride point, but I’ve sure been missing my self . . . and I’m so ready to start finding her again this coming year.
Below is my 2021 Find Myself Toolkit. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll come in handy for you, too.
Author Jen Hatmaker probably doesn’t require much of an introduction. This book is GOLD for those of us in the trenches of motherhood. I’m halfway through my copy, and I already know I’ll be rereading it in the future. It’s that good.
Shop OnlineThis guide is a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to becoming more savvy with your personal finances. I plan to use mine to see where we can pinch pennies that would serve us better (and bring more joy) elsewhere. The best part? It’s downloadable, which means you can start TODAY—no waiting on shipping.
Shop OnlineThis planner breaks goal-getting into actionable steps, so chasing those dreams doesn’t seem so daunting in the midst of an already-busy life.
Shop OnlineI just started using this brush a few weeks ago (no more falling into bed without washing my make-up off) and I’m already seeing a difference in my skin. Plus, it feels heavenly!
Shop OnlineThe title speaks for itself. This is exactly what I need in my life. I look forward to reading my devotional over a cup of coffee while my kids watch their daily dose of Paw Patrol.
Shop OnlineAt Her View From Home, we love sharing our favorite things with you! The recommendations in this post contain affiliate links, so we may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase any of them. You can check out more products we’re crazy about at our Shop tab HERE.