I’ll be honest — I thrive in the New Year’s season. Forget New Year's Eve. Take me straight to New Year's Day. In a coffee shop, with a journal, dreaming about the new year (this takes more coordination these days because, let’s be honest, toddlers + reflection time don’t really blend).

There’s something in the air – anything feels possible, people feel united (you say ‘Happy New Years,’ I hear ’it’s us against the world!’), and our slates are clean.

But I’ve got to say, even I feel resistant to setting any kind of goals this year. I think it’s partly due to the phase my toddler is in – I’m noticing her first signs of perfectionism, fears of being wrong, and struggling when she doesn’t understand something. At two? She’s already feeling insecure at two?!

There's something in the air —anything feels possible, people feel united, our slate clean, and it's us against the world.

But I’ve got to say, even I feel resistant to setting any goals this year. I think it’s partly due to the phase my toddler is in – I’m noticing her first signs of perfectionism, fears of being wrong, and struggling when she doesn’t understand something. At two? She’s already feeling insecure at two?!

I remember all the times I felt the exact same way (I don’t have to look back that far….). Given the timing, I’m feeling a little rebellious this New Year.

In a world constantly pushing me to be better, do better, and grow more (insert the added layer of mom guilt), I want her to feel free to fail. Free to stumble into new adventures, try new things, and look at being wrong as a win (she’s found something new to learn!). I want her to never even know the ‘timeline’ we’re all ‘supposed’ to follow.

So call it a rebrand on goal setting -– this year, I want to take myself less seriously and find 10 new things to fail at. I want my little girl to look at me and watch me explore new interests even if I’m (very) bad. I want to struggle with something I care about and not get defeated. I want to find pride in who I am and not the resume I'm building.

Two things that have become very clear to me since I became a mom:

1. Life’s too short
2. Our uniqueness is really something to celebrate

Sure, learning from our experiences is always helpful, but this New Year, I will handle my reflections with grace and try to look at the upcoming year as a whole new playground to explore (and there are mostly no rules on a playground…).

I’d love to hear what fun things you’d want to try if you threw caution to the wind. Maybe we can encourage each other this year.

Sincerely,
A future mediocre rock climbing-pillow sewing-improv class taking Mama (phew, that last one already makes me sweat)

Kelley

PS - here are some books I’ve been recommended in this season (for me or my little one)