Friday 1 January 2016

Resolution Schmesolution

I love New Year. I get swept up in the feeling of newyeariness and the promise of wiping the slate clean (and clearing out the mouldy cheese/neglected dips from the fridge). I think resolutions are naturally a part of that, and though I don't officially announce any goals for the New Year, I have usually silently considered what they are by the time New Year's Day arrives.

Mainly, I'm talking about food-related pledges - following that post-Christmas limbo week of snacking on turkey and cheese and Terry's chocolate orange (for breakfast) I actually quite fancy a salad. I also make vows about increased exercise activity because my jeans won't do up and the idea of some kind of power walk or mammoth swim sounds quite appealing. I start making noises about digging out my running clothes from that time in 2009 when I did Race for Life...

Then there are the parenting resolutions. I blogged about my failed bash at those (and about Supermum and her fucking chicken) last year, concluding that the whole exercise was pointless because you are no more able to shake up your routines and behaviours on the 1st January than you are at any other time of year.

And yet here I am, on the first day of another new year, feeling slightly tempted once more to try and better myself as a parent by making promises I won't keep. Promises like: shouting and sighing less, restricting the kids' TV-watching, cooking a wider variety of  meals where vegetables don't come out of a tin, being 'present' in the moment (and not absorbed in work emails/Facebook stalking on my phone)...

I can't see myself sticking to any of those. So, I thought I'd take a pragmatic view and set just one resolution I have a hope in hell of keeping:

I'm going to get out more.

I don't mean on a night out (though an increased frequency of drinking and dancing to something that isn't the Paw Patrol 'Pup Pup Boogie' would be welcome). I mean get out more with the kids. To visit people and places and get our arses out of the house. Because even weighing up the public tantrums and tears and risks of dirty protests in National Trust tearooms, I still cope a gazillion times better with parenthood when I'm out and about. A change of scene. Different places. Different faces. Different soft play locations to get my socks wet in.

So that's it. Just one resolution this year that is designed to benefit us all (if we go out more there will be absolutely no need to ever contemplate indoory shit like crafting or baking, which is fine by me). I'm looking forward to braving some new adventures. Though I'm a tad hungover today, so our adventuring will have to start tomorrow...

Once I've finished my porridge and cleared a 10k jog, obviously :-)

15 comments:

  1. Good resolution! Hats of to you..

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  2. Once again you hit the nail well and truly on the head and provide me with much appreciated reassurance that I'm not the only one who eats Terrys chocolate orange for breakfast whilst sighing and shouting :) X

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  3. Ha loving the indoory shit avoidance - good plan!

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  4. good luck with those! They sound very achievable, rather than promising to do a whole list of stuff that means nothing! Xx

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  5. Great stuff, keep us posted!

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  6. After next week yes next week as I'm planning another week of indulgence before I take the plunge of no carbs and getting more exercise even if I have to run around the park with my 4month old baby in his buggy as I want to shed some of the baby pounds. It's a good plan to get your kids out and about and you for avoidance of cabin fever. Happy new year to you and yours. X

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  7. Nice resolution - we had much the same thought and requested a joint xmas pressie of a National Trust membership from the inlaws. Going to try it our tomorrow. Wish us luck!

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  8. I love reading your blogs! I'm with you on hauling ass out a bit more! Good luck, look forward to reading about your adventures. Happy new year! X

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  9. So true we all do it 😀

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  10. I'm with you all the way on this! It kills so many birds with one stone. Happier kids, happier mum. Maybe a bit of exercise thrown in. I wrote my own blog about New Years resolutions and how they tend to be a little bit pointless. I've made a few nevertheless (can't help myself). Hope you don't mind me linking to my post as it has the same vibe! http://www.body-in-bloom.co.uk/blog/the-thrill-and-hope-offered-by-a-new-year

    Good luck with getting out that door more. x

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  11. It's scary how much this sounds like me! I think this is a perfect resolution as my kids are better behaved when we're out and about. Plus I know any resolutions about eating healthier or the gym I won't stick to! Definitely beats crafts as well!
    Love your blog. Xx

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  12. Great new years resolution! and I love your blog. Here's to 2016

    Clare x

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  13. Ah the pup pup boogie...I've had many a request to do that by my 4 year old son! I suppose at least it's some sort of exercise and burns a couple of calories!

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  14. I'm not really one for New Year resolutions (as a rule, I try to do less rather than more) but this is one I can wholeheartedly get behind. Good luck!

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  15. I have just discovered your blog today and you have truly inspired me! So much so that I have said sod it to housework and sat on my arse all day reading all your posts.You have made me realise I need to relax a bit,stop stressing that middle child is rolling around living room floor in her school uniform and it hasn't been mopped since xmas (just use a baby wipe to erase visible spillages),nor did I go into panic mode at 5:15pm because I had no tea on the go,3 kids happily playing upstairs and not moaning they are been starved to death,so check me,it's now 6:15pm and I've just put some sausages in!!! My children are happy,healthy and loved,you have shown me we are all in this together and just body winging it! :)

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