Taking Care of Me.

I'm well aware that it's almost the end of the first week of 2016, but it's been a little difficult for me to kick it into gear for the New Year. I feel excited about the new things that are going to happen this year; we are celebrating our three year anniversary at the end of the month, welcoming a new baby in July, and B is turning two! But with all that excitement, I also feel the stress creeping in... The New Year brings promises of self-improvement, and success, and a fresh start; but I have already completely failed and it's not even the second week!

I have always struggled with my own self image and being a perfectionist in all aspects of my life. The pressure that I'm under always comes from myself, and it's always the weight that sends me crashing off Cloud Nine {when I really should be happy}. The stress of feeling like I have to make everything perfect, our home, my cooking, even this blog; it creeps up and steals my joy of the New Year from me.

It is this reason that I have decided to not have any resolutions this year... Because I can't plan and perfect my life down to the last minute {especially with a second baby}. This year, I have decided that my mantra is "take care of you" - a saying that my mother has told me almost every day as long as I can remember. I would love to be healthier, wealthier, better, etc.; but I always put so much pressure on myself to be those things that I lose the parts of me that I already love. 

I love to spend time in my pajamas with my family on Saturday mornings - even when there's laundry to be done and toys to be cleaned. 

I love to split a pizza with my Hubby and curl up on the couch watching Netflix {Making A Murderer made me cry the whole time though} - even though I feel guilt for not cooking a healthy and delicious meal.

And I love to curl up and read a good book while Bonnie naps - even when there are literally a dozen other chores that I need to do. 

So no, I won't become the perfect wife/mother/doula/friend/hot mama/daughter/person in 2016. But it's my sincere hope that I enjoy it, and learn to allow myself the grace that God has promised me.

If you struggle with the stress of perfectionism, or have any suggestions on how to manage it - please let me know in the comments below!! 

P.S. You can still enter the giveaway on my previous post! Lots of goodies to treat yourself or another mama you know!

Stay Sweet,