New Year’s resolutions. Did you make one? I do every year and more often than not, I’m able to keep them. It’s not because I’m some super self-disciplined person who’s goal-directed personality doesn’t let anything get in her way.

Oh no. I procrastinate with the best of them. I generally keep my resolutions because I feel choose them wisely. Buuuuut last year, I did a Chicago bucket list and admittedly didn’t accomplish much. There were 12 items and I’ve done four. Whoops. They were: Run a half marathon, spend a day at Millennium Park, take a day to enjoy the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art and take the kids to the Garfield Park Conservatory.

I do feel my bucket list was pretty awesome though, so I’m still going to cross off the rest of the items. Promise.

This year, I’m going to return to Christine Kane’s idea of picking a word that will be your theme for the year. In 2010, my word was “Reclaim” because I felt the need to reclaim myself. Anyone or anything that took from me or didn’t add value to my life, got pushed to the backburner or out of my life entirely. It was really empowering and I loved it.

For 2012, my word is flexibility. There are a lot of big changes coming up this year for my family and from where I sit they all look like positive, yet challenging changes. That’s why to navigate them, I *know* I will need to be flexible. You know, accepting the things I cannot change and all that. Sorry if I sound cryptic, but now’s not the time to get into what’s on the horizon. Stay tuned though, I’ll definitely be blogging through it.

I chose “flexible” because I like to be in control, I like order, I’m a perfectionist. Things often have to be “just so.” There isn’t much flexibility. Sooooo, I am going to work on changing that. Wish me luck. What about you? What are you hoping to do new/different this year?

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My New Year’s Resolution: Be Flexible — 10 Comments

  1. I think flexibility is so important. Sometimes a new mom will ask me for advice and my favorite piece is “roll with the flow.” That is good for a lot of aspects of life.

    • That is good advice, especially for new moms. For Type-A’s like me, I know it’s important to be flexible, but I really struggle to actually BE flexible. I feel like I should write the word on my bathroom mirror or something so that it’s a reminder to go against my personal grain and relax a bit.

  2. Stopping by from SITS. I LOVE the idea of doing a Bucket List for my own town!! I think you’ve inspired me to do my own. 🙂

    I’m also doing a word theme this year. Flexibility is a great one! Good luck!!

    • Yay! Glad to give you a bit of inspiration! It was fun researching all the great things that were just in my “back yard.” What’s your word theme? Good luck to you too on achieving it! 🙂

  3. I tend to be really rigid sometimes as well. I like things a certain way and I’m type A to a fault. I’d be the type of person who has to schedule in time to relax. Flexible is a great mantra for 2012. My word for this year is Grow. Grow as a person, grow into a bigger home, grow my family. The only thing I don’t want to grow is the number on the scale!

    Stopping by from SITS

    • Thanks for swinging by my site. (And dontcha just love SITS?) I like that you have the word: Grow. That’s awesome. I hope that you will find the “stretch assignments” that will help you in your endeavor.

  4. Flexibility… something I strive for too. One thing I try to keep in perspective though, for me, is that I need to remember to take all things in moderation. Flexibility – a good thing… but over-doing it (for someone who is very planned and organized) can backfire (at least for me it can!)

    Good luck! I hope you find a good balance between flexibility and perfectionism 😉

    • Sooooooo true! All things in moderation. I am someone who thinks it’s cool to have every 15 minutes of the day scheduled. Obviously post-kids that was no longer an option, so this idea of flexibility has been an adjustment, but it’s also been a bit freeing. (I say this only 3 weeks into the process!)

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