I don’t know about you, but I can’t tell you how many times I set goals at the start of the year and by the time the December rolls around, I can barely remember what any of those goals were.
Life happens.
When January comes around again, you set more goals and the cycle continues.
It’s normal to feel behind when you have big goals and resolutions that you’re struggling to meet.
That’s why I love the Ins and Outs TikTok trend so much.
Theres a trend that I’ve seen around TikTok and Social Media called 2024 Ins and Outs. It’s a simple and effective trend where people write down the Ins (what they want to keep, or start doing) and the Outs (habits they want to get rid of).
While I’m not big on New Years resolutions, this just seems like a better way to think about the things that you want to focus on for the year. Somehow these ‘ins and outs’ don’t seem as threatening and anxiety inducing as creating resolutions that you know you aren’t going to keep.
The focus is not on the results, but on who we want to become. When you focus on changing your daily actions, the results are a natural byproduct.
With that in mind, I decided to create this post as a way to discuss my 2024 Ins and Outs as working mom.
You may also find inspiration from some of these points for things that you can change in your life to improve your year and your life beyond.
My 2024 INs
These are the things that I would like to focus on as a working mom this year (and beyond).
They are:
- daily bible study
- fill my cup first
- solid routines
- learning to say no
- asking for help
- homemade meals
- genuine friendships
- date nights
- discovering new places
- daily vitamins
- saving money
- moving my body daily
1. Daily Bible Study
My Faith is a huge part of my life.
As a Christian, I know that it’s important to spend time in the word of God.
Embracing a habit of daily bible study is will not only nourish my soul, it will also provides a source of inspiration and guidance each day.
2. Fill MY Cup First
As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
I’m learning to fill my cup before I fill other people’s cup. And yes that includes my children.
As a general rule, I like to wake up at least 30 minutes before my kids to have a bit of time to myself.
Whether I’m enjoying a quiet cup of tea, working out or reading my bible, it’s important that I find time for self care before the demands of the day get on top of me.
I’m also committing to taking time for myself regularly throughout the day, ensuring I am emotionally and physically replenished to better support my family and career.
3. Building Solid Routines
Now you know I love a good routine.
Establishing solid routines is key to creating a sense of stability in my daily life.
By implementing structured habits, I can streamline tasks, reduce stress, and create a more efficient and balanced routine that benefits both my personal and professional life.
Something as simple as a cleaning routine can help to reduce the feeling of stress and overwhelm.
Want to learn how to Manage home better? Here’s a list of Routines that make life easier for Working Moms.
4. Learning To Say No
This year, I am learning the power of saying no.
By setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing my time, I can focus on what truly matters, avoiding overcommitment and ensuring that my energy is directed towards activities aligned with my values and goals.
5. Learning To Ask For Help
There’s strength in vulnerability.
I’m not naturally good at asking for help, but this year I’m making it a habit to ask for help when needed.
Whether at work or in my personal life, seeking support not only lightens the load but also fosters stronger connections within my community.
7. Investing in Genuine Friendships
This almost goes hand in hand with the previous point.
Friendships are important because we were all built for relationships.
This year, I’m trying to invest more time and effort into existing relationships.
Building a support system of friends who understand and uplift me contributes to a sense of belonging and emotional well-being.
6. Making More Homemade Meals
As a busy working mom, the urge to order pizza every night is strong.
I mean, you know the kids will eat it, and it’s easy.
But for me, I know that there’s also joy in preparing home made meals.
Not only is it actually more cost effective, it promotes a healthier lifesyle.
I’m not saying bye to pizza nights and take out.
It just means that i’m going to make more of an effort to learn new recipes and make more meals at home.
8. More regular Date Nights With My Spouse
In 2024, my husband and I are committing to making date nights a non-negotiable part of our routine.
With busy schedules and small kids, it can be hard to do. But, it’s important to maintain a strong connection through regular 1 on 1 quality time.
9. Discover New Places As A Family
I love to travel and explore new places.
As our kids get older, I would love to begin to nurture a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the world around us.
Whether it’s a nearby park, a cute coffee shop, or a weekend getaway, these experiences bring freshness and adventure into my life.
10. Take Multivitamins Daily
Prioritizing my health, I am incorporating the habit of taking daily vitamins into my routine.
This small but impactful action contributes to my overall well-being. It also ensures that I have the energy and nutrients needed to navigate the demands of being a working mom.
Some of the vitamins that I’m incorporating into my routine include:
- A daily multivitamin- A multivitamin typically contains a combination of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for various bodily functions. This may include vitamins A, C, D, E, K, as well as B-complex vitamins, iron, magnesium, and zinc. If you can’t take anything else, you can start with a good daily mutivitamin. A multivitamin serves as a convenient way to fill nutritional gaps, supporting overall health, energy levels, and immune function.
- Vitamin D- An important vitamin that plays a role in bone health, immune system function, and mood regulation. It helps the body absorb calcium, promoting strong and healthy bones. Most people in North America spend a lot of time indoors and are deficient in Vitamin D.
- Vitamin C- An antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage, boosts the immune system, aids in collagen production for skin health, and enhances the absorption of iron from plant-based foods. It’s also known for it’s immune-boosting properties, and is a great supplement to add especially in the cold and flu season.
- Probiotic- Probiotics are live microorganisms that play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy balance of gut bacteria. They help to support digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Gut health is really important because it affects nearly every other aspect of our daily lives.
11. Save More Money
We have a few big goals in 2024 that we’ll need to save for.
I plan to cultivate the habit of saving money by creating a realistic budget and sticking to it.
This financial discipline not only provides a sense of security but also opens up opportunities for future investments and experiences.
12. Move My Body Daily
Exercise contributes to both my physical and mental well-being, so I am committing to moving my body daily.
As a busy working mom, I realize that it won’t be able to make it to the gym every morning.
That’s ok as long as I do something to move my body daily.
Whether it’s a morning jog, yoga session, or a simple walk, the goal is just to make regular physical activity a part of my routine.
My 2024 OUTs
These are the things that I would like to get rid of.
- going to bed late
- always needing to have everything look perfect
- impulsive purchases
- worrying what others think
- downplaying my achievements
- comparing my kids milestones and behaviour to other kids
- discontentment
1. Going To Bed Late
As a working mom, my mornings are usually full of activity. Getting myself and everyone in the household ready and out the door on time is no easy feat.
I’ve learned the importance of having a solid morning routine. Waking up early is a crucial first step to a stress free morning routine.
In order to wake up early, I know that I have to curb the habit of going to bed late.
I have a set bedtime of 10:30pm which I am working towards. This will allow me to still get enough sleep to wake up at my desired time.
Sleep is important in general. But even more when you know that you have a busy day ahead of you.
Going to bed early will help me to refuel and get the energy that i’ll need to face the challenges of the day.
2. Perfectionism
Striving for perfection can be a double-edged sword for moms.
On one end, it causes you to work hard and put in long hours to get things the way you think it should be, leading to burnout.
At the same time, it causes dissatisfaction as you realize that you’re striving for something that’s unatainable.
Perfectionism is just a manifestation of procrastination.
You end up delaying action which adds unnecessary stress to an already busy life.
This year, I’m committing to letting go of unrealistic expectations that I have set for myself. I’ll focus instead on taking small steps and imperfect action.
3. Impulsive Purchases
The rise in online shopping has made impulse shopping so much easier.
With just a few clicks, you can add pretty much anything to your cart. These day’s you don’t even have to enter your credit card information as that is already saved on your browser.
Impulsive purchases may seem to relieve stress in the short term, but it leads to long term stress as you deal with the financial implications as well as the clutter of all the stuff you now have.
This year, I am letting go of the habit of making impulsive purchases.
Instead, I will practice mindful spending, taking the time to consider whether a purchase aligns with my values and whether it contributes to my overall well-being.
4. Worrying About Other People’s Opinion
I’m a worry-er by nature, and worrying about other people’s opinion has become one of my most destructive habits.
I’m a people pleaser. Maybe you are too.
If you can relate, you’ll agree that when you worry too much about what people will say, you hinder your progress in a big way.
You may end up not taking action for fear or worry of judgment.
This is a terrible way to live.
While it’s important to consider the opinions of people closest to you, trying to please everyone will get you nowhere.
The fact is that- there is nothing in this world that you can do that’ll please everyone. Even when you try your best, you’ll still find people who have a problem with you.
5. Downplaying My Acheivements
As a working mom, it’s common to downplay your achievements, attributing success to luck or external factors.
This year, my goal is to stop minimizing my accomplishments.
Acknowledging my hard work and celebrating my achievements will not only boost my confidence but also set a positive example for my children.
Embracing a mindset of self-appreciation allows me to recognize the value of my contributions, both at home and in the workplace.
6. Comparison
We’re in the social media era where it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing our lives to curated snapshots of others.
As a mom, not only do I compare my ability as a mom to other moms, I also find myself comparing my children to kids I see online.
I’m often comparing milestones and behaviours and feel bad when my kids are not meeting up to others.
My focus this year will be on letting go this unhealthy.
I understand that each family is unique, and our paths are individual. I can appreciate and embrace other people’s circumstances without diminishing my own.
7. Discontentment
It’s easy to fall into the trap of discontentment, especially when comparing our lives to an idealized version or constantly seeking more (see previous point).
I find that as moms, we tend to get easily discontent when were in certain seasons.
Whethe rit’s the newborn phase, terrific twos or raising teens, it’s important to embrace your current season.
No matter what that looks like, focus on the good.
Remember that may seem long, but the years are short.
Before long, you’ll look back and miss the season that you were hoping would pass by.
I know it can be difficult.
But it’s important to stay present and remain grateful for every circumstance.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1: 2-4 ESV
Every season has it’s reason. As long as you can remember that, you can get through anything.
Final Thoughts
As the new year gets started, it’s easy to feel behind if you don’t have your goals and resolutions sorted out by January 1st. These Ins and Outs are a great way to reset and plan for the year without the daunting task of having to set big result driven goals.
Will you be creating your own Ins and Outs list?
Let me know what you think in the comment section.
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