Peace and Projects

I love the optimism everyone feels at the start of the new year. The bad things that happened seem to pale – so last year … time has a way of doing that. What really stands out are the good things – for me, how I’ve grown, personally, and the things I’ve learned as a wife and step mom.

I enjoy seeing how Mr. Right and kids have grown, too – And how we’ve evolved as a family … with (almost) two teenagers … and thinking of what that means for the future.

Turning this year into the best year

There are some key habits I turn to when I think about living my best life – and by acting on these things, my life has definitely improved. For instance, I’m able to work from home part-time and support the family as a homemaker the rest of the time. I can honestly say life feels:

hopeful
exciting
good

Even on the bad days – and believe me, there are days – I know everything will work out. It always does. The things below keep my perspective in line.

Life Checklist

To help you plan for the year ahead, I compiled some key mindsets and actions that have helped me in the past. Let’s face the new year with these things in mind:

Know what really matters to you. Spend time thinking about this everyday. I know from my personal experience that this answer changes depending on your goals and dreams in the current moment. Knowing will help you shape the day – and year – ahead.
Once you know what matters, spend time doing it. I don’t think you have to kill your TV or cancel Facebook to make this happen. But you will have to *some of the time*. The things that matter are the most important – don’t fall into the appealing rut of fake work – do what matters, first, and make it a habit.

Need less money. Definitely the most liberating habit I’ve learned since quitting my day job is how to need less money. The art of spending less hasn’t been easy. You’ll need to teach yourself how to do it. Embrace a frugal lifestyle and learn smart ways to cut expenses. Needing less money is one way to be free from obligations you don’t want – for instance, working all the time.

Read more: The money/budgets category of this blog.

Work on the big things. Decluttering your home and simplifying your schedule won’t lead to happiness if there are big problems you need to focus on first. Things like consistently feeling unhappy with your marriage … or a child who is out of control … or eating wrong … or never exercising. If there is a big problem in your life, make this year the one you choose to tackle it, fully.
Stay connected. Again, decluttering, minimizing your wardrobe and simplifying are all great things – but there is little more important than staying connected to the people you love. Make time for them – and fill up some dates to connect on the calendar.
Only boring people are bored. There are so many interesting things to do in life – go out and find them. Learn about them. Experience them. I know how it feels to get in a rut – watching the same shows, eating the same meals and going on the same date nights. Try something new. Invigorate yourself in the new year. This gives you something to be excited about – something to look forward to everyday.

By knowing what matters and taking action, 2012 can be the best year of your life. I encourage you to enjoy the process – personal growth takes time. Some of you don’t have a lot of extra time, and that’s okay. Keep the pressure minimal – as long as you’re taking some action, you can feel good knowing that any action – no matter how small – eventually leads to change.

Photo by Stuck in Customs

{ 3 comments }