Lifestyle is My Word for the New Year

What is your word for the new year? Lifestyle is my word for the year. New Year resolutions often include weight loss, exercise, nutrition, or quitting a bad habit. As we know, resolutions usually fall flat and then we feel like we’ve failed. I’m going a different route this year and I think it could make a real difference. If you think you may need to change your lifestyle, check this link out first.

Deeper Than a Resolution

At my book club holiday dinner, the women at the table asked what our word for the year would be. My reaction to the question took me by surprise. When I answered with the word LIFESTYLE I broke down and cried. It was a tough year and someone I love dearly had been struggling. I gave so much of myself to this person that in that very question, I realized I had nothing left to give.

Giving Too Much

The last five years I’ve lived a life for other people. I’ve helped friends with struggling family members. Then there was my husband’s career change which took a lot of time and dedication. My focus on other people’s thoughts and expectations was unhealthy. Even my weekends were not moments of renewal and rest. I don’t know how to put myself first. For the first time in my life, I’m convinced that if I don’t make a change, I’m not only doing a disservice to myself but to the people I love.

Lifestyle

So I chose LIFESTYLE as my word. I made a decision then and there, that how I live my life needed to change. Not my nutrition, not my home, not my exercise routine, but the way I LIVE MY LIFE. The way I worry about all of the things I can’t control, the way I sacrifice my own sanity and health to help others, even saying yes to things when I want to say no.

My word is LIFESTYLE and perhaps your word should be the same. No real change happens in life without a change in lifestyle. If you live every day in the same way, with the same routine, you will get the same results. I took a hard look at my life, at how much energy I pour into my kids, and how I dawdle too much in the morning. Then there are my weekends where I shoot all of my goals out of the window with too many calories and social engagements.

Lifestyle Changes I’ve Made

• I’ve changed my morning routine. I used to hover before the kids went to school, in case they needed me. News flash – they don’t. My boys are super independent. So now I have a quick cup of coffee with the hubby and leave the house and start my day earlier. I’m more effective, less food focused and able to hit the ground running. The family hasn’t even blinked. It feels silly that I haven’t done this sooner.
• Choosing myself by prioritizing my workouts.
• Saying yes to the theater, hikes and reading more books.
• Saying No to dinners every weekend with friends.
• Less social media.
• Letting go of other people’s problems.

Maybe it’s time to lose the new year resolution and take a look at how we want to change how we live our lives. Who do you want to spend time with, what experiences do you want to include and how can you live your life on your own terms? Lifestyle is my word for the new year. This resolution goes hand-in-hand with previous ones to be kinder to myself. We are all a work in progress!