2012 - The year of being kinder

So 2012 has come and we've said goodbye to 2011 (thank goodness). All in all, I don't know many people who didn't have some sort of struggle last year including myself. I am glad for a new year and new possibilities. It is funny how a change in the year also brings a change of mindset. Renewal of strength and optimism, in my case.

I've decided that I need to be kinder. Kinder to my children, kinder to my husband and mostly, kinder to myself. While I hold my family & friends to a high mark, I hold myself even higher. It isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it often sets me up for disappointment - mostly with myself.

One of the ways I plan to be kinder is to watch my language and to work on yelling. This is going to be tough. I have no filter and really haven't for a long time. Perhaps that makes me some sort of bad person, but there it is, in black and white. I could make a sailor or truck driver blush. I don't really have a problem with curse words as long as they aren't used to degrade someone (and believe me...I am no saint in this area). If you stub your toe and say "F^%$", I think that is acceptable, but I think most people would not agree. Anyway, we now have a swear jar. I'm sure I'll be filling it within no time.

The other way I plan to be kinder is to exercise at least 5x per week, eat right and drink lots of water. Let's just say I stepped on the stoooopid scale this week and I was rudely slapped down to reality. I am worth being healthy and I know that exercising will a.) keep me off of blood pressure meds for the time being and b.) eventually bring me to a healthier weight. This is where being kinder/making excuses will walk a fine line. I will not beat myself up for not exercising for 2 hours every day, but I won't be ok with not exercising. This is my plan. Please kick me (or email - whichever is most handy) if you see or hear of this NOT happening. The eating part of the plan will likely just be normal and perhaps more of a portion thing. I know I don't eat poorly for the most part and will likely just try to add more veggies to our family diet. I will also get back to the "no junk food in the house" rule which really does help. As far as the water goes, it will be a struggle some days and easy others. I don't get it, but there it is.

And lastly, my daily "kinder to me" mantra will be that I cannot do it all and that's ok. Not everyone will like me and I will let people down, but I need to just do my best. I need to let go of feeling overwhelmed ALL.THE.TIME. and allow others to pull their own weight/do their own thing and remember that I can only change myself and how I react to others. I am a good person, but a work in progress, all the same.

I am thinking about keeping a journal for the year and just jotting down something each day to see my changes, etc. I am hoping to keep the positives flowing and rid myself of the negatives that hinder me from achieving all the things I know I can.

Here is to 2012 - may it be happy, healthy and I daresay, prosperous. :)