Hi Neighbor!

I knew I was in trouble when I woke up on January 1st and announced that my “only goal” for the New Year was to see the Ocean.  As the day went on, my newsfeed became clogged with advice on how to start the new year off on the right foot.  Resolutions, Intentions, Wishes, Diets, “New Year, New Me”, et cetera. I admit I almost jumped head first down the resolution rabbit hole after considering that maybe I could have chosen a better “goal”.  I was also seriously thinking about partaking in the “New Year, New Me” philosophy until I woke up on January 3rd to find out that my son developed Strep Throat, my laptop was running dangerously slow, and my cell phone unexpectedly died (causing me to waste far too many hours and days to get it fixed and finally replaced).  I was no longer feeling the fresh new year vibe☹.

Having more time to think and less time to scroll, I decided that there would be no New Year resolutions for me because I knew in my heart, I would fail at keeping them, and then would feel miserable about failing.  I also decided that I would not be partaking in the standard “New Year, New Me” scenario; instead, I’m just going to Be the Best Me I can Be. Honestly, in addition to not having any clue what a new me might look like, I don’t have the energy or need to reinvent myself.  I welcome and accept that I am a work in progress, so as I start my 54th year five days from today, I am simply going to take each day as it comes, and continue to work on being and doing the best I can with this wonderful life I have been given.  To help me do that, I’ve come up with a few ideas on how to be the best version of me that I can this year (some more lighthearted than others, but nonetheless important😊):

• After a very long Two-year hiatus, visit the Jersey Shore.
• Travel maybe here or here.
• Laugh more, Cry Less.
• Continue to learn more about and advocate for Mental Health.
• Reinstate Date Nights. Late night runs to Acme and Giant don’t count, but events from the MLN online calendar do!
• Reinstate “Mom and Me” dates with my kids.
• Be nicer to myself.
• Forgive myself more.
• Stay in the present and leave the past where it is.
• Accept that as much as I try, I cannot fix everything for my kids.
• Accept that I am now a Mom, not a Mommy…Complete with more eyerolls and less hugs.
• Say “Thank You” more often.
• Say “I’m sorry” less often.
• Volunteer more.
• Ask for help when I need it, rather than suffer in silence.
• Work on being more direct with people.
• Read more, scroll less.
• Start and continue a better sleep routine.
• Find new walking routes.
• Send both funny and inspirational quotes to those who need it…Via text or social media.
• Set a day or two, or three per month, where someone else in my house (other than me) is in charge of planning and preparing dinner.
• Invent a magic, all natural and healthy “potion” that will allow me to curb my sugar addiction. On the off chance I can’t invent such a potion😉, continue to eat sweets in moderation and not feel guilty about it!

Hopefully, I will be able to use these ideas every day, and they will help me be the best me in 2022 and beyond.   If not, my back up plan is to use this inspiring and hilarious resolution list instead!

Cheers to 2022, may it be our best year yet!

Chris

PS – In addition to creating “My Best Me I can Be” list, I’ve been working on our online calendar of Winter Fun events happening around the Mainline, and will be updating it daily, so be sure to check it often!

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