resolution resolved: balancing life

alaska- the epitome of serenity

you may remember, my new year's resolution for 2012 is to achieve a happy sense of balance in my life. with a new baby and career path {stay at home mama, hip hip hooray!}, law school and a big new calling in church for the hubby on our to-do list this year, i decided that i simply wasn't going to enjoy it all half as much if i didn't figure out a way to balance things out a bit better. i spend far too much time and energy on things that matter least and then i am left feeling frustrated and kicking myself for not seizing the moment or simply doing something more worthwhile. it's taken almost the whole month of january for me to figure out a game plan, but i really wanted to put more thought into this one. so i studied my days and identified places that i lack and ways to get better. gradually, a few consistancies emerged and voila! i have a game plan.*  i tried to get it down to the simplest, most important and basic things so that i'm not overwhelmed. the whole point of this is not to become superwoman {reminder to self!}, it's to find a serene place in which life feels good and balanced and i can go to bed proud of what i did that day, even if it wasn't much.

spiritual balance
1. daily family prayer on our knees
2. daily personal prayer on my knees
3. daily scripture reading together
4. work on a change of heart- have a greater desire to give more of my time to the church and others
5. support orlando in his calling in every way. get to know the branch members, help him learn names, help at activities, send treats to long meetings, never complain about the time he spends serving

emotional balance
1. be a better listener. pregnancy has made me so spacey and i often find myself zoned out when orlando or my mom or a friend is talking. i need to pay attention to show i care
2. make time just for orlando. {sitting next to him on the couch while i pinterest does not count}
3. dress up more for hubby. shave legs regularly. makeup. lingere. perfume. the whole nine yards
4 call, email, text family and friends regularly. be involved in their lives and take time to let them know i love them

mental balance
1. read hypnobirthing books and listen to the cd with orlando. practice daily
2. read a novel, just for fun. when you finish it, start another
3. learn a new skill or craft- sewing is on the top of my list
4. keep up with both of my blogs. blog quality, not quantity

physical balance
1. don't forget to take prenantal vitamin daily
2. increase calcium intake- orange juice, milk, ice cream- twice daily
3. yoga stretch regularly before hypnobirthing relaxation + breathing practice

general balance
1. stop procrastinating simple tasks- if it can be done in five minutes or less then do it NOW
2. watch less tv. do any of the above instead
3. listen to more music. just about everything is better with music
4. tidy up the house more often {see number 1}
5. before baby boy arrives, simplify life. decide what to keep on my plate and what to dump. between orlando, family, friends, church, two blogs, facebook, pinterest, an etsy shop, a messy house, books to read, tv to watch, and general procrastination and laziness, lots of my time is spent in rather silly pursuits. and i don't want to miss a minute of family time with my hubby and baby because i'm wrapped up in something like facebook or teen mom. so. simplify life


*i'm fully aware that this whole plan really only works up til june when the baby arrives and then it will all get turned upside down. but my idea is that if these things are regular habits before baby comes, then a few of them will stick around even after baby boy changes life.