I’m not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions. The thought of “starting a year fresh” is kind of ridiculous to me when our lives are a constantly changing continuum of days that never really end. A “New Year” is as ambiguous to me as the days that pass between the months of the year, they come and they happen even when nothing monumental (like New Year’s Eve) takes place as a marker.
Before you x out your browser window and write me off as a Nay-Saying-Nellie, I have to say that I DO very strongly believe in growth and change and marking off items you are consciously choosing to work on and adjust. But I think we should do these things more often, all the time, every day even as we strive to be better people; better parents, better lovers, better friends, healthier humans, more creative individuals. So maybe what I’m trying to say is I’m resolving to resolve more often… does that work?
To Denver, our oaf-hound-monster-dog:
I am resolving to walk you more WITH the kids. We can figure that out, can’t we? You can resolve to stop pulling and being a maniac and I can resolve to be a better walking teacher for you. Lilly’s muscles only get bigger by the day so I think we can work as a team to figure this one out.
To Rainbow, our very well behaved Beta Fish: I am resolving to forget to feed you less often. You are so good to me, very quiet, very clean, very inconspicuous. The least I can do is pop a few pellets in your tank every day even when Lilly forgets.
To Gracie: I am resolving to force you to wear your hearing aids even though policing them drives me insane and probably annoys the crap out of you. But we owe it to each other to see if they help your language develop. And as soon as your language really does develop, you can tell me once and for all to shove them up my rear if they bother you enough that you’d rather do-without. We’re both going to win on this one, can’t you see?
To Lilly: I am resolving to indulge your imagination even when we are on the 987th re-enactment of your latest favorite movie. You will not be little forever and your imagination will not forever be this tireless. The very least I can do for you is allow that imagination to flourish while it still wishes to do so. After all, your creative little brain is one of the things I love most of all about you. And who knows, re-enactment #988 may be the very best one to date.
To Brandon: Oh husband, where to begin. I think husbands and wives, any partners really, owe it most to each other to always resolve to grow and to change. I am finding that there is nothing harder in life than growing and changing in constant relation to another person. Being mindful of another persons needs as your own needs change and morph is a delicate dance that requires constant scrutiny and honesty. I am resolving to acknowledge the changes that we’ve made together, notice the changes that need to happen and work on them within our marriage for the sake of our family. I love the way we love each other and want to hold onto our happy marriage as our “years married” turn into decades. And less ambiguously… I am resolving to be a better cleaner. There I said it.
To (and for) myself: I am resolving to growing my business(es) for the betterment of our family’s financial future, be it my Photography business, etsy shop, pattern sales, sponsored posts- whatever- they will grow. I am resolving to a Project Life commitment that will carry me through and between this year and past years of our families memories. In the same regard I am resolving to taking more photos for myself and honing my skills with the equipment and tools I already own. I am resolving to keeping a well stocked freezer (thanks to an awesome Christmas gift from my FIL!). I am resolving to drink more smoothies and less coffee (I think I’m drinking two pots too many 😉 ). And last but not least I am resolving to let go of the idea that I will ever again have a “normal” sleeping routine. Given the different needs of my two girls and the fact that I HAVE to get work done while they are asleep- I think sleep is out for me. Resolving to be totally ok with that could change my life.
So there it is. My reluctant resolutions. To be re-evaluated often. To be read and reread until they need to be changed.
Happy New Year, lovely people.
May 2014 be better than your very best ideas of what it could be.
xo
J
Our New Years Eve in photos:
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