Well here we are just a few days into the New Year and I’m feeling really positive for the future. Luckily I have an optimist outlook on life and I find there is always something to be grateful for. This year I feel I am going on a journey, I’m not sure of all the details as yet and I don’t really think I’ll be physically moving anywhere but I think it will be more of a life journey and a transformation of the life I already know. My focus for 2014 is to stay in the moment and to really enjoy life for what it is right now, not projecting or anticipating too much.
Word for 2014?
Of course this time of year gets everyone thinking and I see a number of bloggers have been choosing a word for the year ahead, one that will stay with them for the year and guide them in their decisions and be something that they intentionally go back to time and time again. Probably the best write-up I have seen about this practise is by Ruth at Dorky Mum, she recaps on her word of 2013, ‘Courage’ and boy did she take that by the balls and ride it, moving across the world to Tasmania. Her word for this year is ‘learn’ and I’m looking forward to taking this journey with her.
Where will blogging take you?
I was pleased to see that Ruth had been inspiring people when I found my next post from Stacey at Fives a Fellowship. She has written a heartfelt post about blogging and how easy it is to allow your blog to turn from a creative outlet to a promotional and money-spinning tool. Of course we all know that in blogging we have to do what suits us but it is important that we feel good about it and Molly at Mothers Always Right certainly seems to be feeling good right now, which is marvellous. Over the last few years I have watched Molly work herself ragged and finally the pay-off comes and she has moved into her dream home and had a blogging break. Yay, go Molly!
Joy in parenting
It was great to read this next post from Andrea at All you need is Love and Cake, after a brief foray with postnatal depression a few years back I know it really sucks. I was lucky that for me it was just mild and short-lived but I know for some it is a life battle and steals so much joy. Andrea has written this brilliant post titled ‘Dear depression’ and she tells it to go take a jump for she will no longer allow it to tinge her ‘pretty amazing’ life with sadness anymore.
I read this next post ages back but some things just stay with you. Rebecca at Here Come the Girls wrote a fantastic post about being a rubbish mum. It is a superb reminder for us all to not judge people by their blogs. Many of us look as if our life is completely blessed and idyllic online and actually that is just one facet of our lives.
If you have read any of Northern Mum’s posts you will know that Jane is a talented storyteller and this beautiful tale of two very different holidays one year apart will take you on a journey from a desperately ill little girl to a ‘diabetic type 1 warrior’.
Resolutions and goals
I think you are either a resolution kind of person or not. For me I don’t really like them, I go with the idea that if I need to make a change, I should do it right now and be accountable. I don’t want to write a page of goals that I might not achieve and then I beat myself up. Far better to be realistic and tackle one area at a time and at the right time, not just because it is January 1st. It seems Joy at Pink Oddy feels similar to me as she is embracing a new idea this coming year for motivational jars. In the jar she will have lots of little slips reminding her of the things she should be doing, the simple things, not resolutions, just everyday stuff – remember to drink a glass of water, do some exercise, spend 15 minutes with each child. I like this idea a lot, good luck Joy.
The next post had me running a bit scared. Diana Quartey suggests that planning 2014 could be the single most important thing you do this year. She gives a number of areas of your life – family, career, spiritual, financial etc that you should think about and set goals for. With goals in all areas you should be able to find a good balance in life and be focussed but she warns we must really believe we can achieve otherwise we will limit ourselves. Maybe that is where I fall down as I have a niggling doubt that I can achieve the one thing I really want to – weight loss.
New beginnings
I leave you with a really heart-warming post. Rachel was so apprehensive about posting this and what kind of response she might receive and of course the blogging world stepped forward and held her hand and said well done. After a hell of a year she is happy to say she has new goals in 2014 and is looking forward to becoming the woman she is destined to be – a child of God, a great mother, wife and friend. It is to be a year of new beginnings for her.
Time to wish you a very happy New Year. May 2014 be a blessed and peaceful year for you. Catch you again in March, the lovely Mama Syder will be back again in February.
Mich x
About Michelle Pannell
Mummy from the Heart is the fourth baby of Michelle, a 46 year old (manic) mother living in East Sussex. Having moved to the countryside and ‘retired’, Michelle can now be found eating too much cake and taking long walks. She lives life on the bright side and looks for the joy in every situation, even the excess pounds those cakes keep adding! Michelle’s blog is a very honest place where she shares tales of imperfect parenting, being a Christian digital activist and anything else that takes her fancy.
Anya from Older Single Mum and The Healer
Wednesday 8th of January 2014
Lovely round up. The variety of posts out there is always astounding! Wish I could read them all!
Michelle Twin Mum
Thursday 9th of January 2014
Yes if only we had more time in a day Anya. Thanks. Mich x
Stacey Corrin
Sunday 5th of January 2014
Thank you very much for including me in this round-up, it's much appreciated! There's such a lot of positivity around this time of year - it definitely motivates you to try that little bit harder :)
Michelle Twin Mum
Sunday 5th of January 2014
A real pleasure Stacey xx