Once upon a time, I was all about those New Year’s resolutions. Now, however? Not so much. They feel more like a chore I’ll never complete, leading to disappointment, which then spirals into a binge of indulgent snacks. You know the type: “Lose those last 10 pounds!” or “Start exercising regularly!” Those predictable goals often lead me to dive into a box of cookies for solace.
Over the past year, I’ve focused on embracing my authentic self, a journey sparked by a book I skimmed while pregnant. It wasn’t until I felt overwhelmed, right around my child’s first birthday, that I truly began this journey.
Throughout my daughter’s second year, I dedicated myself to being true to who I am. This meant letting go of guilt over trivial matters. When that mom guilt hit hard, I reached out to my sister, husband, or best friend for reassurance that I’m doing a good job. We all need a little boost sometimes! If I don’t feel like attending a family gathering, I simply say I need to focus on living my authentic life. It’s like a grown-up version of “You Only Live Once.”
Being true to myself also involves recognizing that every mother is navigating her own path, and I have no right to judge. Sure, my child can be remarkably patient in a store, but she also talks to our pets as if they’re in a conversation. She’s a fantastic traveler, but she’ll eat butter packets straight from the container at restaurants—and I’m okay with that. I even order them for her!
So, I refuse to give side-eye to another mom whose child isn’t wearing a hat in winter. Who knows the struggles she faced just to get that coat on? As Kermit the Frog says, “It’s not my business.”
For all the moms looking for a New Year’s resolution that’s easy to keep, I suggest: be true to yourself and stop judging others. Let’s ditch those Judgy McJudgerson attitudes because, honestly, they’re so last decade—and they really never suited anyone anyway.
Here are a few more resolutions that are simple and satisfying:
- When you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media, take a moment to declutter your inbox. Rather than deleting emails, scroll down and hit “unsubscribe” from those recipes or offers you’ll never use. It’s like tidying up but can be done while catching up on a long-running show like Grey’s Anatomy, which, if you’re like me, is hard to quit.
- Discard your child’s artwork while they sleep. (Remember, live your best life! No judgment here!)
- Stop making negative comments about other mothers or women. It’s as easy as it sounds—just don’t do anything!
And that’s all there is to it. Simple, right? Happy New Year!
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In summary, let’s embrace our true selves, support one another, and make resolutions that uplift rather than weigh us down.