My 2014 "WORD"

Every year, I struggle with the concept of New Years resolutions.  You see, I am a fairly organized and motivated individual.  Setting the resolutions and creating a plan to work towards them was never my problem.  However, I found that my priorities and focus tended to shift as the year progressed.  For example, one of my resolutions last year was to log 1,000 miles of running.  I figured this could easily be achieved since I was planning on running a marathon.  Then, I got pregnant:)

So needless to say, I was hesitant to set resolutions and goals for this year.  I figured that for where I am at in my life, committing to a single word was a much better path.

I've seen tons of bloggers do this, so I thought I'd give it a try.  And after several days (I mean, I am writing this on January 9th, so it's more like weeks…), I've finally decided on my word:

BALANCE

Before Layla was born, my life consisted of: my husband, work, working out, and meeting up with friends.  Now, things are drastically different.  With a little baby, it's difficult to hit up a new restaurant at the drop of a hat, and while I am working out almost every day, I usually have to coordinate my workouts with Mike's work and/or Layla's nap time.  And when I return to work full-time next month, it's going to be a completely different ball game.

So yeah.  Balance.  I suppose it means that I want to do my best to balance everything I have going on in my life while maintaining my sanity.  I want to be "present" with everyone and everything I do.

How is this going to work?  Well, I am not entirely sure, but here is what I'd like to concentrate on:

* My marriage.  I want to continue to be the best wife and partner to my husband.  Lord knows things can get crazy with a new house and new baby in tow, so I think it's important to make sure Mike and I set aside time for us, be it date nights, or simply putting down our phones when we're home together.

 * My daughter.  I want to be the best possible mother to Layla.  I am dreading the very thought of returning to work and leaving her for so long.  Therefore, I want to make sure that when I am home, my focus is solely on her and her needs.  I think part of this, too, is having confidence in my ability to be a mother.  I constantly wonder whether I am making the right decisions, and I have to remember that as long as she is happy, and Mike and I are happy, then we're doing what is best for us.

(Layla enjoying our first run/walk in the BOB!) 

 * My job.  I simply LOVE my job.  But, I have to admit that at the beginning of the school year, I felt a little distracted.  We were in the process of buying a home, and I started the school year 28 weeks pregnant.  I want to make sure that when I am at work, I give it my 100% attention and effort so that when I leave for the day, I don't have to take my work home:)

* My friends.  My friends have been so incredibly supportive of my journey as a new mother, though I am sure I have let them down at times.  I think the key to balancing my friendships is to plan ahead OR find opportunities to balance other things I love with them, like going out to dinner and working out.

Do you have a 2014 "word"?  If so, please share!