You do you. Yep, it’s as simple as that. My goal for 2018 is to be better to myself and appreciate the little things about ME that make me Katie. Not Mom, not wife to Ted, but Katie. Myself. Like the love handles I’ve been trying to burn-off for years [but that have helped me grow 3 beautiful children], or the Mrs. Clean-Freak that picks up her house 3x a day, there’s plenty of great about me AND you that I don’t think is celebrated enough. And here’s why:
I recently shared on Instagram that in 2017 I found myself doing a lot more of the comparison game towards friends, family, celebrities, etc. when I went online. While I know I have SO much to be thankful for, good old social media creeps up on me and more often than puts a little damper on my day. And don’t get me wrong, I love seeing what family and friends near and far are doing day-to-day so, keep doing what you’re doing! What’s ironic about this whole conundrum I’m having is that social media is the lifeline of my business. YOU reading this blog, liking, commenting, and sharing posts is what keeps the engine running. Am I the only one that thinks it gets a little draining though?!
So in an effort to put a more kick in my step and give myself and my family MORE of the best of me, I’ve decided to share a little less. Post a little less. And put down my phone for extended periods of time. I’ll still be updating the blog with plenty of delicious recipes [stay tuned for some skillet chili lime chicken fajitas] and toddler musings [potty training Anthony this month!], but I’ll be slower to respond to emails, messages, and texts. Because that phone might just find itself a new hiding spot!
One last musing: you do you means so much more than comparing ourselves to others. For me, it’s about being critical to oneself and finding flaws and imperfections in things others a. probably don’t even notice and b. probably shouldn’t be in your “circle” if they are thinking it. Moral of the story is I want Joey to continue asking 100,000 questions a day [preferably to Dad], I want Anthony to continue following me around like the duckling he is [I still think he’ll want me to be his college roommate], and Lily? Well, she can stop the temper tantrums. But knowing what she wants and how to get it? You do you, girl. That’s what makes my kids themselves at 4, 3, and 1.5 years. And I’ll see if spinning class works off those love handles [half-joking].
What’s your new year’s resolution this year?! Please share and tell!
Thanks for sharing, Katie. My ‘resolution’ (or aspiration?!) is to care a little less about everyone else and do a bit more focusing on myself and my family. No wonder we feel burnt out when we spent a good part of our day scanning what other people are doing. I also love catching up with family and friends, but I’m trying to be more mindful of when and how I do that and instead focus on being more present. This brings the best hope for the new year!
I am with you on social media, it is a time drain among other things. I decided to take a step back from social media several weeks ago and it has been refreshing. As a bonus, I get to spend more time enjoying my family and our story. I wish you all the best as ‘you do you’! In the meantime, I will watch for you in my inbox!
Love this Katie! ?♥️
YES to this! My goal this year is to be more engaged- as a wife, mom, friend, co-worker and blogger!