Happy New Year! As we fully embrace 2022, I am committed to dusting off the cobwebs from my blog, Sweet Home Stephanie, and start focusing more on writing, creating and sharing in this space on a regular basis! First and foremost, I want to say…thank you for being here! I am so grateful that you choose to follow along with me, check in on what I’m chatting about on my Instagram page and embracing me in the way you have. It means so much that you trust my voice and my heart. I wanted to convey a few thoughts swirling around my mind as we head into a brand new year:
One of my mottos or words for the New Year is “purposeful”. It’s easy to think, “what exactly is my purpose in life” and while I’m not trying to get that deep, I do think it’s important to keep the word “purposeful” in mind as we navigate our day-to-day life. What I mean by being more purposeful is shifting my mindset to better utilize my time, physical and mental energy as well as my focus each day. The goal is to devote my time to what I’m passionate about – family, food, friendships, fitness, fashion and all things motherhood – darn, motherhood doesn’t start with an “f” :)! Here are some ways I am trying to do that:
- Working on time management. For me, this is the most difficult. As someone who lives with ADHD, it can be challenging to devote my time to tasks without getting off track or distracted. Lists and daily reminders can keep me focused, but it takes more work than the average person. I am planning to work on being my purposeful with how I spend my day and setting limits with idle time spent doing unimportant things.
- Getting offline. As much as I love Instagram, the platform on which I can create and connect, it can be a huge productivity killer. I am trying to be more purposeful in how I consume content across all platforms. This way I can focus on being more present and clear-minded as I navigate the time I spend away from my phone.
- Setting boundaries. This seems like a broad idea, but figuring out what I can do and don’t want to do can be very important in helping divide time. This can transcend both professional and personal life.
- Normalize saying “No, thank you”. While this relates to “setting boundaries”, I think saying “no” to things is harder in practice than it is in theory. I am a people pleaser by nature, and I try to fix things for people before I worry about myself. As moms, I think this just becomes second nature at a certain point. Saying “no” can really help refocus attention to help figure out where the important things can fit.
- Do more of what fills my heart. Living in a more purposeful way doesn’t mean being perfect. It doesn’t mean avoiding frivolous, fun things! I enjoy shopping, reading chick lit, cooking and baking – all things that make me happy! Even if you aren’t doing things, “changing the world” type activities…you are changing the world to the little world you’ve created for yourself. That’s truly the greatest purpose of all.
- Taking chances. By nature, I am an introvert. Putting myself out there, both on Instagram and my blog is out of my comfort zone. Making friends and connections has become the most rewarding part. It’s enriched my life and helped me express my creative side as well things I’m passionate about! It’s for that reason that I plan to do post more frequently, share various projects, brands and passions of mine in a greater way!
As I mentioned on Instagram, it’s ok to NOT have plans! It’s ok to set goals and resolutions when the time is right for YOU. A new year is nothing magical, but provides us with a good excuse to reset and reevaluate. Sometimes things are great the way they are, and other times we require extra motivation to change parts of our life that aren’t working as well as they could. Whatever you choose to do, always remember you are worthy just the way you are.
