“New Year, New You, huh?” I thought to myself as I rolled out of my vegetative state on New Year’s Day. Donning my favorite pair of sweatpants, I settled into my well-worn spot on my comfy couch. The leather squeaked and squealed as I shuffled to grab my phone. With a hot cup of coffee in hand, I scrolled through my social media. My news feed was buzzing with an array of weight loss ads, planner pictures, and motivational speakers calling me to be a “girl boss.”
With New Year’s resolutions, fitness hopes, and side hustle planning galore, 2021’s goal setting season is in full swing. While I am not going to abandon planning out my year altogether, I am committed to taking it slow and letting my self ease back into the breakneck pace I was once running.
But, because many of us have been in the throes of deployment (or year-long short tours) for much of 2020, big goal setting seems more difficult than before. The sheer upheaval from last year’s shenanigans have even the most experienced planners feeling a little apprehensive.
So, what are we to do with ourselves as we prepare to ring in a new year? Do we forgo the planning and preparing all together or is there a better way?
I have decided to replace my meticulous (and sometimes manic) planning sessions with a bit of a paradigm shift. Instead of setting lofty goals in the first few months of this year, I will celebrate the small things. I need to relieve myself of the immense pressure I place on myself to do it all- now and in total perfection.
Here are three ways I am planning to celebrate small wins instead of crushing big goals.
Food
In previous years, I would have a quick and “at a glance” type meal plan. I would agonizingly plan meals out for two weeks in advance and write them out on a chalk board in my kitchen. I would handpick veggies and produce in order to make a delicious home-cooked meal for the fam. Now, I can barely make meals – much less prepare them ahead of time or doodle them on my wall. Forget that. I’m all about grocery pick-up and take-out.
The Win: I bought a new crockpot and I have set the expectation on low. If I cook three days a week (with a hope of leftovers), I’ll consider my efforts a reason to celebrate.
Fitness
Many years ago, I was a group fitness instructor. I taught spin, boot camp, and Zumba. I was in great shape and really felt energized. Now, something as simple as working out poses time constraint problems – not to mention that I’m so physically tired in the morning and the evening that the thought of doing anything strenuous sounds painful. Part of the problem is that my spouse has boots on the ground somewhere else and sleep is a hot commodity, but I really want to get active again.
The Win: I busted out the good ol’ jump rope and free weights in order to get active a few days a week. I am not going to jump off the deep end and try to hit the home gym for two hours a day, but scheduling in a half hour a few days a week might be just the ticket.
Career
One of my favorite parts of being a writer is the freedom that comes from working at home. We have been a home-schooling family for years and, usually, I have always had the bandwidth to do both – write and teach. Work, that typically brought me much joy, has been challenging in ways I could have never expected over the last year. I found myself more exhausted and mentally unable to form a sentence. Previously, I wrote for a minimum of 10,000 words a week. Needless to say, I’ll be taking that number down a notch.
The Win: I moved my writing operation to our kitchen table. The kids and I sit down and “work” at the same time. I set them up with assignments that require little input from me for an hour. I can sneak in a little writing time in afternoon as well – if I bribe the kids with popcorn and a movie.
In light of all of last year’s stress and frustration, I’m adjusting my expectations and hustle goals for the new year.
You can do this too. Instead of forcing myself to shoot for high tempos and late nights, I will celebrate the small, sustainable “wins.” This way, I can break big goals into tiny steps and foster an attitude of gratitude.
Give yourself permission to do a little less. We’ve had a tough year. Let’s not strive so hard toward burning out in this one right out of the gate.
Megan B. Brown is a seasoned military spouse and military missionary. She is the Military Liaison for the Speak Up Conference Global Missions Military Scholarship and the 2019-Armed Forces Insurance Robins AFB Military Spouse of the Year. She is passionate about military mission work and teaching and preaching about Jesus in and out of the local church. Her Bible study, “Summoned: Answering a Call to the Impossible,” published by Moody Publishers in Chicago, will release in April 2021. She lives in south Mississippi with her husband, Keith, and their energetic kiddos. She is a Bible teacher, speaker, and freelance writer. To learn more or connect with Megan, visit www.meganbbrown.com.