As we embark on a new year, it’s easy to fall into the trap of setting lofty New Year’s goals and overwhelming ourselves with overly scheduled lives. This year, I challenge you to do less and be more intentional with your time. This isn’t about lacking motivation or giving up on your dreams. Instead, it’s about critically examining your daily schedule. We often overschedule ourselves and our children. As a parent, I know the struggle of balancing keeping my kids busy enough but not to the point of exhaustion.
Part of the challenge is leaning into experiences and people who make your life more meaningful while having the courage to say no at times. When we reclaim our schedules, we can better prioritize our physical and mental health, our sleep, and our relationships. The US Surgeon General identified loneliness as a public health concern in 2023. I believe part of the issue is that we are sometimes too busy to reach out and spend time with the people who matter most. Our schedules are filled with work and extracurricular activities, leaving us with little time or energy for meaningful interactions.
As women, we rarely give ourselves the time to just be, without taking care of others’ needs. So, as we begin this new year, rather than burdening yourself with numerous New Year’s goals, I challenge you to take something off your plate. Ask yourself, “Do I really need to do this right now?” Use a journal or activity monitoring form to see how you’re spending your time each day, and consider incorporating more unstructured time for creativity and meaning-making. Keeping your schedule more open allows for meaningful interactions instead of defaulting to “I don’t have time.”
By taking a step back, you can prioritize what is most meaningful to you and your family and be more intentional about leading a life aligned with your core values.
As a reminder, this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be viewed as a substitute for mental health or medical guidance from your healthcare provider. If you or a loved one is experiencing an acute crisis, please contact 911 or the National Crisis line at 988.