A New Year, A New Me, A New Adventure…..
When I think back on this past year, it seems a bit overwhelming. We have been through a lot as a family, and I have been through the hardest year of my entire life both mentally and emotionally.
If I focus on the negatives my mood can easily change and I find myself becoming very gloomy and heavy-hearted. It’s like a downward spiral as I think about one unpleasant after another. Some I have shared, a lot I have kept private.
But, if I chose to think about the highlights, I become thankful. I’ve learned that no matter how bad it gets, there is always ALWAYS something to be appreciative for!
While my last year did include more lows than highs, I want to continue to move forward, not backwards.
Looking back does allow for us to learn from our mistakes, learn some very valuable life lessons, and can at times provide insight and clarity. Sometimes we find closure, and other times we are left with more questions than answers.
One thing that I have learned is that life continues on. No matter what you are going through, time will not stop just for you. So, you can either let it pass you by, or you can take charge and change. Sometimes it’s little changes, and other times our whole life needs adjusted – a job, a house, friends, your routine, your priorities, etc.
I want to make a bigger effort to focus on the positive than the negative. I am also trying to start a few new adventures, challenge myself in new ways, start a new endeavor, change my scenery, and hopefully work at becoming a better me.
I want to prove to my children that what previous hardships we went through, they will not keep me down. Challenges may set me back, but I will continue to wake up every morning, put one foot in front of the other, make them their breakfast, and continue on with our day – and I do it all for them AND for myself.
I do not want anything I went through to be in vain or a waste. I want to learn from it what I can, make the changes in my life that are needed, and let it inspire me to become a better, more rounded person.
My priorities and goals have definitely shifted, but I hope I can take what I have learned and use it in some new way to help others, maybe even make a difference – even if it’s small, encourage and inspire others, and raise my family. I want to continue to work at being the best mother that I can be, and I want to be that special friend that we all need.
My goal is to continue to grow as a person and in a positive way. To not remain bitter or angry, but to take something unpleasant and to turn into something great.
I’m still trying to figure it all out, and I feel like my path is going through lots of twists and turns, but I want to follow it and remain open-minded. I do believe that things in life happen for a reason. And although I may still not understand all of the reasons, I’m optimistically searching for those answers.
So, as I reflect back on 2016, I am excited to see what it was preparing me for in 2017!
The one new adventure/endeavor that I am really happy to announce is that I have decided to start a new community website!
Blogging has become a therapy for me, and I realized throughout this past year just how much I have enjoyed finding my own unique voice. It might not always be grammatically correct, but it’s me, telling my stories in my own words.
I full-heartedly believe that every person, every family, every situation is different. What works for one person will not work for someone else. But I hope that by sharing my stories and ideas that maybe it will inspire someone out there. Maybe it will give someone new inspiration, or they might decide to try something different.
But, if nothing else, hopefully by sharing my stories it will allow other moms/dads to realize that they are not alone! Being a parent is a hard, but rewarding job. It is filled with joyful chaos, and hits the entire range of emotion and limitations.
Just when you think you can’t make it through one more sleepless night, or one more bathroom accident, one more temper tantrum, you do – and you prove to yourself that you do have those supermom/superdad – powers! And when you find someone else that you can relate to and cry/laugh with, it can make the whole journey so much easier – just to know that you are not alone!
So, I have partnered with Shari, another amazing mom and blogger that I truly admire, to create Adore Them – a website dedicated to encouraging parents and caretakers in a positive, uplifting way – a website that we are truly creating for all of you!
Each week we will focus on a different topic. We will include quick tips, stories, encouraging quotes, videos and more.
I understand not everything we publish will always be 100% relatable, but that is because I only know how to write and talk about my life.
So, what I truly hope for, is that you will also give your input! We want to hear your parenting suggestions, your life tips, and anything else that has worked for you. We want to hear your encouraging, heart-felt, and funny stories!
On our site we have a spot for community input. Please send us whatever you want – typed messages, photos, videos, and whatever else you care to share, because we truly want to hear from you!
This is our first week. We will be focusing on new goals and new year’s resolutions. Next week we will tackle organizing, and so on. So please please please check us out, follow us through social media, and give us your feedback – we look forward to hearing from you!