Editors note: I’m so excited to welcome a new contributor, Jen, to our team here at Chic Shopper Chick.  She is one of my very best friends IRL and she is one of the funniest people that I know, so I’m thrilled that she is joining us here to share some of her wit and wisdom.  Welcome, dahlink! 

 

Happy New Year everyone! As I’m sure you are all aware, it is February. Surprise! We just blew through January and soon it will be time to shop for spring bathing suits, gasp! By now, most of your well-intentioned resolutions have relaxed and the thought of eating better and losing weight has gone out the window. In my case, the fast food window.

We all strive to be better in certain aspects of life as 2016 begins, but my resolution took a different path. I decided that this year I would resolve to feel selfish. Ok, that sounds bad I know. I actually decided to “Say NO.” Yep thats right, NO. I will give you a minute to let that sink in….

I have decided I can no longer say yes to everything and therefore this year I am saying no. And you know what? It has been freaking amazing! It has only been about one month, and my life has taken a dramatic turn for the better. Ok, well not THAT dramatic but I digress.

Toward the end of 2015 I had gone to every school and business event or party (and ate everything in sight.) My daughter had gone to every practice or class after school and the multiple parties on the weekends. Every weekend it seemed we had something planned or booked whether it be business or personal. I took pictures and videos and posted to my hearts content. Now, don’t get me wrong, I feel blessed to have such amazing friends and opportunities but I might as well had a FOMO shirt on and my Insta-husband always on standby. You’ve seen the video, right?

As a result, we had eaten drive-thru more often than eating at home, homework was done in the car, and the laundry and dishes were piling up. Our family time had dwindled down to almost zero and my daughter was having a hard time just being a kid when she did have some free time. We started January off feeling tired, full and over-exposed. My daughter had slept the whole Christmas break (should have taken that hint) and I have been battling chronic dark circles under my eyes. I had become “crazy mom” and rarely had time for myself. My family and I needed a change and we needed it FAST.

When our family sat down to talk about our goals for this year, I ran the idea by them and to my surprise they were relieved. They too were feeling tired and rushed, but were afraid to say no for fear of upsetting a friend or feeling left out. In return, we were shells of our former selves and giving our friends and families partial attention. We were like a zombie family going from one thing to the next, not really enjoying life or each other. So, our resolution was set. We will no longer say yes to everything that comes our way. We will not over-book our lives and fill in the gaps with “more stuff.” I will respect our family time and allow my daughter to be at home more and just go outside and play. What a concept. Just. Say. No.

 

 

Maybe we will only go to 3 birthday parties this weekend instead of 4. Maybe, I will not feel guilty for doing only one volunteer position at school instead of four. How about not doing the dishes or laundry today? Breathe in, breathe out. I will let them wait, and I will actually play outside with my daughter and work on resolution #4 and #5 (play outside more and work on pale winter complexion, respectively).

It was hard at first but after a few weeks I began to actually feel normal again. Our crazy zombie lives have slowed down and when we do have events or friendly get-togethers, we are truly enjoying it because we are not exhausted. I think our friends appreciate our refreshed outlook as well. My husband and I have actually had quality time together and have been working on resolution #2, drink more fun rum drinks (post about that to come).

 

And here’s the best part – anyone can do this! Seriously, try it!  Try saying yes to saying NO! (Plus, it’s also pretty funny to just deadpan a “no” when someone asks what your resolution is anyway.) Cheers!