First off, there was something easy about remembering and writing 2022, it had that easy roll off the pen, or keyboard feel. Typing and using 2023 is a bit more clunky, but I am sure as we go, 2023 will start to feel a bit more natural.

One of the first things that worked for me in 2022 was an unexpected one and truth be told, one I really didn’t think I needed nor admitted to needing. Creating goals, and not just creating goals but circling back to check my progress on my goals. Can you believe it? I thought if I went about my day “doing the right thing,” everything would magically line up at the end of the year and I would have this wonderful progress to show. Well, things don’t always work the way you want them to. I had some guidance and kind pressure applied by my mentor, Sabrina Gebhardt on how to create and manage goals, and the heavens opened and it worked. I know, I know, lots of you type ‘A’, or enneagram 3’s have been doing this for decades, but when life has a ‘take it as it comes’ perspective, setting and WORKING on goals is hard and revolutionary. Also, I’ve already sat down with myself and put my goals into WORDS and ACTIONS for 2023. Look out.

Another “a-ha” moment that occurred again and again in 2022 was allowing and encouraging my girls to cook. I realize we are not all in the same parenting season. I have a 17, 14, and 9 year old. I started when my girls were itty bitty including them in the kitchen. I gave them small amounts of flour, water, and random spices to ‘cook’ with while I cooked. Yes, it drove me nuts and was MORE work at the time, but y’all the vine has yielded some fruit. I can leave dinner instructions for them while I take my youngest to dance and dinner is ready when we get home. My youngest can make a grilled cheese and scramble egg, and is pleased as pie that she did it herself. My 14 year old has made numerous desserts including layered cakes & tarts, and my oldest attempted croissants over Christmas. Include them in the mess and craziness of preparing meals, you will thank your future self. 

This again might sound as cliche as creating goals, but wearing what I love and ONLY buying what I love as made a difference to me. I am not one to have a closet full of leisure wear, nor do I do much for over the top dressing. I find myself more in the middle. I have added to my dress collection, one because it’s a one and done outfit, and two most dresses are very figure forgiving. They are easy to layer when it’s cooler, and definitely more comfortable in the heat. Also, I have found a pair of go-to sneakers that I wore on repeat. I also found myself as I purchased less, the clothes I did choose were more cohesive in color and style. I am not fooling myself into thinking I could pull-off a capsule wardrobe, but I am definitely leaning towards a less is more vibe. Here is a link to my most worn shoes and one similar item I reached for over and over in my closet.

One of my biggest pleasures this year has been getting behind a sports team. From following Aggie baseball’s journey last spring, to looking forward to college football, the angst of being an Aggie football fan, and the incredible journey of TCU football has been such a joy. There is nothing I love more than watching and learning about sports, especially the stories behind the players and coaches. The drama, the heart, the grit, and watching teams accomplish a monumental feat as one is inspiring. It doesn’t have to be sports related, maybe it’s having that certain TV series you look forward to, or completing the next level on your game on your phone. For me, hearing how others persevere, work together, and create something bigger than themselves is fun and motivating. It gives me hope especially on mornings when my fitness coach is calling for four rounds of 25 burpees. Max would do it.

Finally, especially during the school year, I discovered I need a 30 minute reset before my girls come home. Here’s what I do, I set a timer on my watch for 30 minutes and I either sit, or lay down. Sometimes I close me eyes, sometimes it’s just time to think. It sounds incredibly silly and a little selfish to just sit and do nothing for 30 minutes, but it helps me transition from mom on a mission and business owner, to engaged mom when my girls arrive home from school.

There are many other small things that worked for me during 2022 and you can believe there were a LOT of things that did not work for me. Now, I am working to transition and drop what didn’t not work for me and it was more than clothes I purged from my closet. Of course I will share it with you, but know that I am not perfect, nor are my goals or perspective of what’s important, by any means superior than your goals or your season of motherhood. I find it inspiring to learn about the joys in other’s lives and that is why I want to share with you.