New Year, New You: Tips for the Lazy

Let’s not deny it, Moms. We can be a lazy bunch, especially when it comes to our resolutions each year.

It’s not easy; after all, we have a million and one things already on our to-do list. It never ends.

Who here makes resolutions and actually sticks to them? Not me.

If you do, I truly and whole-heartedly applaud you!

Also, this post may not be for you.

I’m here to talk to the lazy folk. Let me re-word that.

The beautiful, lackadaisical, well-intentioned ladies that really want to accomplish and cross off all on their to-do list but tend to fall off the wagon a few times throughout the year (*cough*January 2^nd*).

It’s not a crime slipping on your resolutions and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with you. It’s just really tough sticking to goals when it can seem a little insurmountable to our already long list of things to do.

I think what needs to change is writing a resolutions list. 

I do love lists though. I'm list-obsessed. It helps me stay organized and the feeling of crossing things off is amazing. 

But perhaps for your resolutions, start the year with a fresh new and positive perspective on life. Make it a goal (in your head) to make it a year filled with lots of FUN and ACTION and more time with your children.

Less time in front of a computer or on your smart-phone and more time getting fresh air and playing more.

Less greasy foods that are making you even more sluggish and more yummy foods that actually give you the energy you so badly need. Doesn't mean you can’t have a cupcake!

Less shouting and stressing and more laughing and breathing – this is so important!

Organize and clear out your closet of all those too-small, too-big or too-old clothing you have lying around and donate to your local consignment shop. This makes space for new clothes that will fit the brand new you once you start making it a goal (in your head) to get more active this year! Shopping as motivation? AWESOME!

I recently read this article on the Globe and Mail and found these to be super helpful!

One of the biggest wastes of money every start of the year is a monthly gym membership. We get excited, lock into a contract, and then lose our motivation come spring. This year, don’t jump into a membership unless you’ve demonstrated you’re committed to regular workouts – just because you start paying $50 a month doesn’t mean you’re suddenly serious about getting into shape. Set up a home gym next month as the first step.

If you live in a small space, then commit to a walking or running schedule. In a recent YouTube video, Dr. Mike Evans, a physician at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, explained why walking is the single best thing we can do for our health. And the good part is that the number one thing we can do for ourselves is also free.

I always like FREE.

So what do you think? Do you feel less inundated for the start of 2014?

In 2014, you will forgive yourself for not sticking to all your New Year’s Resolutions. Times are tough; you’re doing the best you can. Be gentle with yourself.

Have a Safe & Happy New Years!

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As 2011 draws to a close...

“For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice.” 
- T.S. Eliot

I'm sitting here in my office, comfy in my big sweater, pair of jeans and warm fuzzy slippers, a piping hot cup of fresh coffee on my desktop just reflecting on all the positive and wonderful things that have happened to me and my family this year.
Just an hour before this, I was agitated and dismayed by a chain of circumstances that I allowed to take control over my emotions.
My skills and passion as a writer were challenged and criticized, my job as a work-from-home mother was critiqued and my hopes of conceiving another baby was thrown out the window yet again this month.


I'm weak. I'm human.


The one thing about me is that I'm an eternal optimist. I always like to find the good in the bad, the positive in the negative, the light at the end of winding dark tunnel.
I usually don't like to let things get to me, but as of late, a lot of things have been getting to me. Badly.

Another thing about me is as tough as rock as I can show myself to be to the outer world, I do wear my heart on my sleeve.
I over-analyze things sometimes and I can be quite the perfectionist.

My sweet little girl is now 3 and a big ball of energy. She brings me light & so much happiness. She teaches me something everyday -- to see things in a child-like & humble manner.

I was blessed to be offered so many amazing opportunities this year that brought me unexpected surprises, one after the other, including my new job offer from home as an Online Community Manager. This was a pleasant and much-needed curve ball that struck me this year.
After having been retired from the 9-5 hustle & the demands of being an Entrepreneur & small business owner and making the strategic choice to stay home and raise my daughter in 2008, even the thought of returning to work part-time bothered me. I was loving my job as a stay-at-home mom. But, at the same time, we were in need of financial support.
My husband is a hard-worker and I couldn't be more proud of where he's at at this stage in his life, career-wise, but I was growing weary of seeing him do it all alone.
There were some really tough months for us as a young, growing family in our first home.
He was doing it all on his own. Supporting not just himself, but 2 others.

On top of this, we were trying for another child this year and I was in and out of the fertility clinic, thousands of dollars already out of our account in hopes of fulfilling our dreams to give our daughter a sibling.
She asks us every single day.
Typing this is very hard for me and I'm really fighting back tears. God, it's been so tough.

But in the midst of all the trials & tribulations, this year has also brought us a tremendous amount of happiness. Things that have overshadowed all the problems. God has listened to our prayers and has been blessing us abundantly with many little surprises that I couldn't be more grateful for.

Usually every year around this time, I reflect and write a list of resolutions for the New Year. Some I stick to and achieve, some I don't.
This year, I think I will only have one resolution: To be more grateful and to really appreciate all the little things.
As cliché of a resolution it may be, for me, it's so much more.

I challenge you to take 5 minutes or more in your schedule to write down all the things you are grateful for this year before you write down what goals you would like to attain for 2012.

I hope this year has been good to you...
All the best to you in the New Year!

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Christmas Cheers!

The bubbly, wine and eggnog is flowing during the Holiday season and for the big Christmas Toast, let's not forget the little ones!
Let's all send our Cheers! this Holiday Season with this great idea for the kids.

Credits: stylemepretty.com

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