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5 resolutions every mom needs

faith, mama, mama faith, mama life, Uncategorized ·

5 Resolutions Every Mom Needs

I would typically say I’m not a resolutions kind of person. I used to be all about them when I was younger, because everyone hyped them up, but then I grew out of it and thought, “Why am I going to say I’m going to do something when, obviously, I won’t follow through for longer than a month?” So I quit resolutions. But then I grew up, grew a little more stamina and gumption, and I realized that resolutions didn’t have to be made at the beginning of the year, the middle of the year, or the end of the year. Why? Because we are a constant work in imperfect progress.
Resolutions can be made whenever you feel like you want to evolve and grow. For most though, that comes at this time of year, the start of a new one. There’s something about fresh starts. A fresh start to a whole new calendar of days sparks motivation in a lot of people, myself included. I’m determined to make this a year a good one, no matter what comes my way. I also know I’ll be saying that statement every month from here on out, too. So, as a mom, there are some things that I’m resolving to do this year to guarantee that I stay the course, and I feel like we could all use a little more of these resolutions in our life to stay in the happy zone.

1.  Be kind to each other. 

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Have you ever heard of the saying, “Be kind for you never know the battle someone is going through”? There’s a reason why it’s a popular quote. It’s true. Becoming a stay at home, although a job I absolutely love, came with a whole new set of loneliness. It was a battle I struggled with for a long time. Building new friendships was hard with a newborn in tow, and I craved adult time with girlfriends. Now that my baby isn’t so little any more, we’ve ventured out and I’ve found my new normal. I’ve finally learned how to make new friends in this season of my life, and it’s wonderful. We need each other! People need people. Want to know how to make new friends and build better relationships with the ones you have whether you’re a working mom or SAHM? Kindness. It’s amazing what being kind to one another can do. Kindness is spreading a little cheer wherever you go, sprinkling flower seeds into your world. You know what happens when you do that: Flowers are going to pop up everywhere.

So many of us stay in our own little corner, closed off to the outside world and choose to stay in our own little bubble. That’s fine if it works for you, but I’d like to think that we’re meant for more. We’re meant to lend a helping hand, to be a shoulder to lean on, to be an ear to listen, to be a friend to laugh with and cry with. We’re meant to be kind. The next time you’re all alone with your kid(s) at Chick-fil-A, take a risk and go the extra mile to extend a smile and a hello to that mom sitting all by her lonesome watching her toddlers play in the playground. She just might be the best friend you never had. Smile at the mom who is on the verge of tears in the grocery store because her toddler is having a catastrophic meltdown for all to see. You never know what that smile could do. I’m going to practice more kindness this year.

2. Be yourself.

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There’s something very liberating about being comfortable in your own shoes. It took me a long while to get here, and I still have my days where I struggle with trying to be who I think others want me to be. But if I’m being honest, the easiest person to be is myself. Just me. And I’m pretty great; we all are in our own right. We all have our flaws, but we all have our strengths. We all bring different qualities to the table when it comes to this thing called life, and we all have something to offer this world. I don’t want to be a second rate version of someone else. I want to be the best version of myself. Don’t you? Which leads me to…

3. Stop comparing yourself to other people. 

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In today’s society, there is an over-saturation of people looking like they have it all together. Thanks, social media. (I even wrote about that subject here.) But the thing is: NO ONE has it all together. We’re each given this life of ours to be ours alone. I bet from the outside, our life looks pretty grand to other people. It’s so easy to want what others have, but have you ever thought that if you traded places with that “perfect” person’s life, you’d also get their flaws and problems, too? I don’t want to long for what others have. I don’t want to compare myself to crafty moms or funnier moms or smarter moms. I don’t want to compare my home to the newer homes down the street. I don’t want to compare my family to the Brady Bunch. I want to be thankful for what is mine. All of it. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful. Because that is what God gave me. And He doesn’t mess up. Which also goes hand in hand with this…

4. Stop competing.

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Since I’m focusing on being kinder, being a better version of myself, and ending the comparison trap, I definitely want to stop the competition trap, too. Have you heard of this thing called mom wars? It’s ridiculous. Most of it for me is an internal warfare, but I think I’ve had enough and am calling a truce. When did motherhood become a competition? We’re all in this together, sisters. We should applaud each other’s efforts instead of trying to “beat” one another. So no more comparing. No more competing. If we all make it, we all win. 

5. Give yourself GRACE and give it to others. 

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And last but definitely not least, this year, I want to focus more on grace. Grace to me is forgiveness and compassion and hope all wrapped into one. It’s the gift that never gets old. When I mess up, I want to give myself grace that mistakes happen. Life happens. Every mistake I make is a chance for me to learn how to be better. Every heartache I go through is met with grace, reminding me that there is a rainbow after the storm. While I want to meet myself with all of the grace in the world, I also think we should extend the same gift to each other. We’re human. We mess up. Sometimes really big. But forgiveness, hope, and love are the things I want to resolve to give more to others. If I want grace, then I need to give it.

So these are my resolutions. These are the things that I want my life to consist of this year. And if you’re a one word kind of resolution person, then try this: BRAVE. Be brave. It’ll take bravery to be kind, to be yourself, to stop comparing, to stop competing, and to extend grace. But you can do it. I can do it. I want to see us be brave.

May this be our best year yet, sister! If you need me to encourage you along the way, I’ll be here. I know you’ll be there for me, too.
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You can see where I’m linking up on this page. 

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Comments

  2. Absolutely perfect post!! I needed this even though I’m not a stay-at-home-mom it is useful. I honestly will probably print this out and post it on my fridge. What great reminders of how you should be for anyone and everyone. Thank you for this encouraging and motivating read!

  3. What a beautifully written post. Your words are so inspiring and encouraging. I’m so glad that I found this from A Little Bird Told Me Link Party! Have a blessed day!

  4. Thank you so much for this great post and for sharing it on A Little Bird Told Me link party. I need to make all of these resolutions! I am focusing on extending grace and being willing to receive grace this year. May God bless you!

    • Thank you for reading!! I think grace is the easiest and hardest, yet it never fails! That’s why I want to put into practice like it is my job. :) Lots of love to you, Anna!

  6. Very wonderfully said Kristi! I’m not one for waiting until the new year to start being better either…I think when we see an area of our lives that are lacking we need to address the issue right away. Life is too short to wait around for change. These are wonderful things we all need to work on, I’m sure. Sometimes I think my shyness can be mistaken for not being kind, and I’m hoping to do better at being kind, even when it makes me uncomfortable, too! :)

    • Thanks, Chelsea! I’m all about being a constant work in progress. I think teaching definitely taught me that learning is a never-ending process. And I totally understand the shyness thing! I used to be the shyest person and still am working on breaking out of my shell, but shyness isn’t always a bad thing. ;) Here’s to being the best version of ourself this year!

  7. Absolutely perfect post!! I needed this even though I'm not a stay-at-home-mom it is useful. I honestly will probably print this out and post it on my fridge. What great reminders of how you should be for anyone and everyone. Thank you for this encouraging and motivating read!

  10. Loooove this. I feel more and more confident every day as a mother. For once in my life I feel like i have purpose and meaning. I love getting to know other mamas at the gym too :) Great resolutions!

    • Thanks, Whitney! I don’t know what it is about becoming a mom that makes you feel like you can conquer the world, but it’s the best. :) That’s awesome that you can meet moms at the gym! I wish I could get a membership to one, but every time I have one, I don’t go. Lol. Hope you’re having a great week, girlfriend!

  11. What a beautifully written post. Your words are so inspiring and encouraging. I'm so glad that I found this from A Little Bird Told Me Link Party! Have a blessed day!

  13. Love these!! I really need to stop comparing myself to others. I think it is so hard with how big social media is these days, that it is hard to not want to compare yourself to others.. Thanks for sharing
    Chelsea @ thewilliamsjourney1.blogspot.com

    • Thanks, Chelsea! And isn’t social media a beast and a beauty? I find so much inspiration from it, but because we’re human, it’s so easy to compare. I’m hoping to be more conscious and remind myself that when I start to feel a pang of jealousy or inadequacy, that the pictures are just beautiful pictures, and I have just as much beauty in my life, too. ;) Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

  14. Thank you so much for this great post and for sharing it on A Little Bird Told Me link party. I need to make all of these resolutions! I am focusing on extending grace and being willing to receive grace this year. May God bless you!

  15. Very wonderfully said Kristi! I'm not one for waiting until the new year to start being better either…I think when we see an area of our lives that are lacking we need to address the issue right away. Life is too short to wait around for change. These are wonderful things we all need to work on, I'm sure. Sometimes I think my shyness can be mistaken for not being kind, and I'm hoping to do better at being kind, even when it makes me uncomfortable, too! :)

  16. Precious, precious post. I have realized so many of these things since turning 40 a few years ago…why oh why did it take me so darn long! I think the biggest one for me is grace…knowing that God offers so much grace to me for my big and little mistakes…no matter what…has really helped me to extend grace to others which also goes right along with kindness. I always try to remind myself I may not have all the facts in a situation…and always try to view others intentions instead of the action I might be seeing.

    • Aww, thanks, Shelly! And yes, even though I feel like it took me forever to get this point of realizing that these are THE things, I am so happy to know these truths. :) Every time I get hurt by someone or frustrated with the world, I remember that we are all of His children, and I have to believe that if He forgives me, He forgives all of us. And that’s when I have a change in attitude. Hope you’re having a great week, friend!

  19. Loooove this. I feel more and more confident every day as a mother. For once in my life I feel like i have purpose and meaning. I love getting to know other mamas at the gym too :) Great resolutions!

  20. Precious, precious post. I have realized so many of these things since turning 40 a few years ago…why oh why did it take me so darn long! I think the biggest one for me is grace…knowing that God offers so much grace to me for my big and little mistakes…no matter what…has really helped me to extend grace to others which also goes right along with kindness. I always try to remind myself I may not have all the facts in a situation…and always try to view others intentions instead of the action I might be seeing.

  22. Really love this post Kristy! I think as mamas we sometimes beat each other up, when we should be lifting each other up instead. I think competing and comparing go hand in hand; I compare, then try to compete with people I admire or am jealous of. I definitely don’t do it like I used to, but it needs to stop all together.
    Thanks for sharing this!

    • Thanks, Tiffany! It’s crazy, isn’t it? “Oh, you bottle-fed? I breast fed….Oh, you stay at home? I work for my family.” We’re all doing the BEST we can, no matter how different our lives may look. I need to constantly remind myself of that when I start falling into the traps. Total work-in-progress over here. ;)

  24. Love this post! These are truly some of the most important resolutions anyone can make!

  26. You are too sweet, Amanda! Thank you! I definitely think that all of the points are applicable to everyone. And that is so sweet that you're going to print it out! Hope your year is off to a great start!

  30. Thank you for reading!! I think grace is the easiest and hardest, yet it never fails! That's why I want to put into practice like it is my job. :) Lots of love to you, Anna!

  31. Thanks, Chelsea! I'm all about being a constant work in progress. I think teaching definitely taught me that learning is a never-ending process. And I totally understand the shyness thing! I used to be the shyest person and still am working on breaking out of my shell, but shyness isn't always a bad thing. ;) Here's to being the best version of ourself this year!

  34. Thanks, Whitney! I don't know what it is about becoming a mom that makes you feel like you can conquer the world, but it's the best. :) That's awesome that you can meet moms at the gym! I wish I could get a membership to one, but every time I have one, I don't go. Lol. Hope you're having a great week, girlfriend!

  35. Really love this post Kristy! I think as mamas we sometimes beat each other up, when we should be lifting each other up instead. I think competing and comparing go hand in hand; I compare, then try to compete with people I admire or am jealous of. I definitely don't do it like I used to, but it needs to stop all together.
    Thanks for sharing this!

  36. Thanks, Chelsea! And isn't social media a beast and a beauty? I find so much inspiration from it, but because we're human, it's so easy to compare. I'm hoping to be more conscious and remind myself that when I start to feel a pang of jealousy or inadequacy, that the pictures are just beautiful pictures, and I have just as much beauty in my life, too. ;) Hope you're having a wonderful week!

  37. Aww, thanks, Shelly! And yes, even though I feel like it took me forever to get this point of realizing that these are THE things, I am so happy to know these truths. :) Every time I get hurt by someone or frustrated with the world, I remember that we are all of His children, and I have to believe that if He forgives me, He forgives all of us. And that's when I have a change in attitude. Hope you're having a great week, friend!

  39. Thanks, Tiffany! It's crazy, isn't it? "Oh, you bottle-fed? I breast fed….Oh, you stay at home? I work for my family." We're all doing the BEST we can, no matter how different our lives may look. I need to constantly remind myself of that when I start falling into the traps. Total work-in-progress over here. ;)

  40. Ahhhh LOVE THIS Kristy!!! SO inspiring!! Yes to all of it, I’m in! I seriously got goosebumps and teared up while reading this. I swear this is where I’m at in life too, I’m really ready to love myself, love others, extend grace all around, BE BRAVE. Amazing post <3

    • Well now you’re going to make me cry! The happy tears of course! :) THANK YOU for being so kind and being such an amazing friend. Blogging is magical, isn’t it?! I’m so happy to have met you through our words, share our hearts on our platter, and see that we’re really not alone. ;) So excited to see what the future holds for all of us!

  43. Ahhhh LOVE THIS Kristy!!! SO inspiring!! Yes to all of it, I'm in! I seriously got goosebumps and teared up while reading this. I swear this is where I'm at in life too, I'm really ready to love myself, love others, extend grace all around, BE BRAVE. Amazing post <3

  44. These are all wonderful! I agree with all of them! Thanks for sharing and linking up with me today!

    • Thanks, Jennifer! :) I think it’ll take a little courage and work, but these are definitely doable. Have a great weekend!

  45. These are all so wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing it… I think I needed to hear all of this. <3

    {PS: I'm stopping by from the SHINE Blog hop!}

    • So happy you liked it and that these spoke to you! :) I just felt like we could all hear the reminders, myself included. ;)

      Isn’t the SHINE blog hop fun? I love what Jennifer has going on every week. Have a great weekend, Erin!

  46. These are all so wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing it… I think I needed to hear all of this. <3

  47. Well now you're going to make me cry! The happy tears of course! :) THANK YOU for being so kind and being such an amazing friend. Blogging is magical, isn't it?! I'm so happy to have met you through our words, share our hearts on our platter, and see that we're really not alone. ;) So excited to see what the future holds for all of us!

  49. So happy you liked it and that these spoke to you! :) I just felt like we could all hear the reminders, myself included. ;)

    Isn't the SHINE blog hop fun? I love what Jennifer has going on every week. Have a great weekend, Erin!

  52. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!! To all of this!!!! I am so in that place right now and these all are what I stove to do!! Thank you for such a beautiful remind to become a better me!!! Xoxo!!

  53. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!! To all of this!!!! I am so in that place right now and these all are what I stove to do!! Thank you for such a beautiful remind to become a better me!!! Xoxo!!

    • Yay! I’m so glad you read it at just the right time. ;) And yes, a coffee date sounds fantastic! I usually write like I’m talking to my best friend, so just pull up a cup of coffee and pretend we’re chatting. Lol. Blogger problems. So happy to have “met” you through this wonderful world, Liz!

  55. Ok a couple things! 1. This was exactly what I needed to read today. And thank you for that! 2. I sooooo wish we lived closer and could have a coffee date! That's all for now!

  58. These are beautiful resolutions! I find that giving grace to myself can be much more difficult than giving grace to other people, but now that I’m a mom I’m realizing it’s more important than ever – since I’m going to be messing up a lot!

    Lisa | Two Martinis

    • Yes, for sure! It’s a constant process of accepting failure but choosing to learn from it and try to be better for next time. We’re all just doing the best we can. :)

  59. Love that last one – thinking about mistakes serving a purpose . . . I like that.

  60. These are beautiful resolutions! I find that giving grace to myself can be much more difficult than giving grace to other people, but now that I'm a mom I'm realizing it's more important than ever – since I'm going to be messing up a lot!

    Lisa | Two Martinis

  63. Love that last one – thinking about mistakes serving a purpose . . . I like that.

  64. Yay! I'm so glad you read it at just the right time. ;) And yes, a coffee date sounds fantastic! I usually write like I'm talking to my best friend, so just pull up a cup of coffee and pretend we're chatting. Lol. Blogger problems. So happy to have "met" you through this wonderful world, Liz!

  66. Yes, for sure! It's a constant process of accepting failure but choosing to learn from it and try to be better for next time. We're all just doing the best we can. :)

    • Thanks, Jennifer! I really am striving to do all of these things daily. I wanted goals that I could stick with the entire year, rather than something I would give up in a month. ;) I don’t ever want to give these things up!

  74. I love this post!! You and I have some of the same words to work on this year. :)
    Let’s do this!
    XOXO

  75. I love this post!! You and I have some of the same words to work on this year. :)
    Let's do this!
    XOXO

  77. Thanks, Jennifer! I really am striving to do all of these things daily. I wanted goals that I could stick with the entire year, rather than something I would give up in a month. ;) I don't ever want to give these things up!

  80. What an amazing set of resolutions. I am not a resolution type person either but these are definitely a reason to make an exception. I love the one about giving grace to myself. That can be a lot harder than one may think…sometimes I am the hardest on myself.

  81. What an amazing set of resolutions. I am not a resolution type person either but these are definitely a reason to make an exception. I love the one about giving grace to myself. That can be a lot harder than one may think…sometimes I am the hardest on myself.

  82. I love your list of resolutions. They are clean for the soul. I think these will make you an overall better person! Thank you for linking up with Turn it Up Tuesday.

  84. I absolutely adore your resolutions and I agree with all of them. This year I charted out resolutions and goals for all areas of my life but my most critical ones are my faith ones… because if I “succeed” there, guaranteed it overflows into other areas of my life too.

    As for your one word of the year, you could have “You Make Me Brave” by Bethel Music
    Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo

    • Isn’t that the truth?! You reap what you sow, and I want a healthy harvest. That is for sure. ;)

      I need to listen to that song! I’m sure I’ve heard it before, but I need to add it to a playlist. Thanks for always being the best blog hop host, Jennifer! Sorry for the late reply, too.

      Hope you have a great one!

  85. I absolutely adore your resolutions and I agree with all of them. This year I charted out resolutions and goals for all areas of my life but my most critical ones are my faith ones… because if I "succeed" there, guaranteed it overflows into other areas of my life too.

    As for your one word of the year, you could have "You Make Me Brave" by Bethel Music
    Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo

  88. Thanks, April! I sure hope so. I'm going to be referring back to this a lot through the year. ;) Hope you had a great month!

  89. Isn't that the truth?! You reap what you sow, and I want a healthy harvest. That is for sure. ;)

    I need to listen to that song! I'm sure I've heard it before, but I need to add it to a playlist. Thanks for always being the best blog hop host, Jennifer! Sorry for the late reply, too.

    Hope you have a great one!

  91. YES! So good and just what I needed to read today. XOXO And cheers to a great year mama!

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