You’ve probably heard of people having a “word of the year” instead of New Year’s resolutions, which is exactly what this is. I’ve done it for the past two years and have loved it, so I’m planning to keep it up! My word for 2018 was intentional, and 2019 was present.

I realized that last year I definitely picked out moments to be fully present, but as soon as the moment was over, I would spiral back into my crazy, juggle-a-million-things lifestyle. I don’t know how to rest.

Typically after coming home from traveling, I like to unpack and catch up on everything to get our house back in order, but the past two times we have come home, Dolly Jean has wound up sick and I end up being forced to cuddle with her on the couch all day, which isn’t necessarily a bad trade off. 😉 

Another common example of this is when I have a mile-long to-do list for the day and she skips her morning nap. She’ll get fussy (which I mean, who wouldn’t?) and we end up having a slower day than planned. In the end I always feel refreshed, but my mind wanders back to all the “things” I should have been doing instead.

What I’m still learning is that most of the “things” I have on my to-do list don’t have a deadline, and aren’t as important as the moments I get to spend with my baby. They can wait until tomorrow, next week, next month, and sometimes even next year if I brush it off long enough.

One last thing before I jump into my word of the year: ever since Mason and I have been together, and especially this past year through pregnancy and postpartum, some form of the term “rest” has been said to me almost every day.

You need to rest.
Go lay down.
Relaxxxx.
Did you take a nap today?

Usually the answer is no. Somehow I just can’t turn my mind off, but this year I’m going to make every effort to truly rest in different aspects: mentally, spiritually and physically.

So what would this look like?

Letting go of control

This one’s a big one for me. I plan everything  — my meals, errands, Dolly and I’s outfits (obviously), and especially my day-to-day activities. I’m still learning to accept that things happen and our schedule won’t be picture perfect every day. My goal is to take a sabbath day every once in a while to truly rest my mind and let some things go.

Trusting in God’s plan

I am constantly working on this. Since I’m such a planner, I tend to forget that I’m not the one ultimately in control, and that God’s plans are so much better than anything I could imagine. I don’t know what the rest of our year looks like; what vacations we’re taking, if we’ll be moving anytime soon or when we’ll have another baby, but I can find rest in knowing that God has the directions and I just need to hop along for the ride.

Taking a nap

Yes, my new year’s resolution is to take more naps. I’m convinced that every stage of life is physically tiring  — if you don’t feel too busy or exhausted, please share your secrets with me. A friend of mine, a woman in her 80’s, told me she has taken a nap every single day since she was about 20, and she is truly the most joyful lady I’ve ever met. Maybe that’s the kind of advice I need to listen to more. Aside from taking naps, I tried to think of a couple other ways to physically rest: reading a book at night to wind down, taking a sabbath day, or finally putting my massage gift card to use (thanks Mason).

I want to share some bible verses with you that I know I will be reminding myself over and over:

“Be still and know that I am God” – Psalm 46:10

“Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest” – Matthew 11:28

“For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his” – Hebrews 4:10

“Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done” – Genesis 2:3

What are your New Year’s resolutions? Do you have a word of the year? Let me know in the comments!

----- LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH -----
Subscribe to my newsletter HERE.