2013

Firstly, a belated happy new year to you all!  I realise we are now 10 days in, but I've been somewhat busy and taking my Christmas holidays from blogging.  Nevertheless, genuine wishes of happiness, health, well being and prosperity are always good to give, no matter how tardy.  So that I wish to you all!

Now the traditional greetings have been uttered, onto the resolutions!  Yes, I've sort of made some.  Loose ones.  I know what areas in my life I'd like to see improvement in.  And whilst in this dismal economic climate and under the current government (resists the urge to swear, nay, resolves not to swear) I feel a little powerless in some aspects, namely anything financial, we can still try and improve on the struggle that was 2012.  Striving, as everyone does.

So shaking my head at where I feel this country is headed, I look within to see what I can do.

Distress to De-stress

I don't always respond well to tiredness (understatement).  If anything messes with my sleep (children, health worries, financial strain, conflict) then sleep is the first thing to go and I slip into a period of insomnia.  I want to get better at  nipping those high alert feelings that result from a lack of quality sleep in the bud before they do their psychological damage.  I've been having some success with this.  Deep breaths help - as does meditation, which I hope to return to.  Allowing myself to think clearly, unclouded by emotion or constraint.  If you've never tried it, I recommend it.

Success 

Over the past few years I've been a little lost in terms of my professional life.  Teaching lost its shine for me a long time ago, and even doing it casually has not improved my sense of how suited I am to the profession.  So, I'm stepping away.  I've already done it mentally.  

I've always wanted to be my own boss, but plans I've had I've not followed through with for a variety of reasons.  I refuse to give myself a hard time about this and think myself a failure, else I will just cause myself more mental anguish.  I realise that I've sometimes attempted too large an undertaking or tried out paths that I just wasn't suited to.  I hope that a more modest venture with my closest friend will work out. We're already well underway, thanks to the creative genius that is my friend - maybe some of it will rub off, who knows? :)

Perspective

Losing perspective can sometimes lead to unkindness or hurt feelings.  When you have a tendency to over-analyse the molehill can become the proverbial mountain.  That is not helpful.  Responses that are purely impulsive, emotional and raw (almost child fame of mind if you are familiar with Transactional Analysis) can be damaging and perspective can be lost.  I want less of that.  Well, unless we're talking childish delight and puppy-like enthusiasm of course - we could all do with a bit more of that in our daily lives and having young children helps, of course!

Quality family time

Whose list wouldn't this be on?  We all feel we can do better.  I think my husband and I could in our marriage.  Last year was a rough one and we had a few major hurdles to overcome.  We did it, but we can do better in terms of nurturing our own relationship.  And all of the above should help (for me part)!

Time
Just time.  There never seems to be enough of it, does there? But now my daughter has started pre-school I should have a little more to myself (unless I manage to fill it with a part-time job, of course).  However, the time that my daughter and I have together will be less and therefore more precious.  We will also have less time during term to see friends for play dates if we are to keep in touch with everyone, so I'm hoping they will understand that we don't value them any less because we might not see them as frequently.  

So have you made any resolutions?  Have you broken them already?  Or do you think making resolutions is pointless?  How is your 2013 going so far?