This may not be the feisty fist pump, jumping new year’s message you were looking for.
Notwithstanding it being the first FYBF post of the year, my mind’s made up:
2015 will not be about big goals or glamorous dreams.
In fear of sounding trite and passé, I’ve done big and brash. It’s been given a huge tick next to the era of my life that’s titled, “Corporate career bitch, constantly dissatisfied in her wayward journey of lost values”
Mistaking it for “ambition”, I would subconsciously make “happiness” unobtainable by peppering my own life with unrealistic expectations. All based on money, company accolades and stupidly, bad choices in men.
Funny how life flips around.
Asking my husband last year what he wanted for Christmas, he had to pause a bit to think before giving me a reply.
“You know when you’re blessed when you can’t think of anything…”
Bam!
Dreams, goals, ambition and drive are all still so extremely important.
If they help your life evolve, change, shape for the better, absolutely, go for it!
Write that book this year.
Run that marathon (or three).
Aim and hit those big traffic stats for your blog.
Just don’t do what I did, forgetting to strip back to important basics; what I would be considered small but significant to someone else.
Sing to my kids the same Indonesian lullabies my Ma sang to me and slowly watch the same peaceful, calming effect it has on them as it did me.
Call an old friend who’s year was far rougher than mine, to reach out with no purpose or reason other than to say “Hi and RUOK?”
Give my mother a hug in church as she silently weeps, missing and thinking of my late cousin.
All the little things I do as a mum, wife, friend, daughter, sister – all add up to who I am and what I believe in. I’m just going to continue all this in 2015…and then some.
Happy New Year, lovelies.
Whether this year is big or small, make it yours.
Which camp are you in this year? The one for big things to happen? Or the small yet great?
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Good idea Grace.
Keep It Simple 🙂
I should remember that …
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 1920 – The Chillow Pillow
I often think that we like to define ourselves by the “big” stuff- money, career, success- when really we are the sum of all the little things- small kindnesses, hugs, lullabies and tears. Lovely post xx
Amy @ handbagmafia recently posted..Life-Changing. Period.
Bravo. I love this. If you’re doing life well, why change it or unnecessarily up the anti? Best wishes in 2015 for keeping it simple Grace xx
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad recently posted..Bustin’ A Move To Burnie
What a lovely, lovely post!
Lydia C. lee recently posted..#Haunted2015 – a photo challenge
Happy New Year Grace! Your last sentence sums it up perfectly – make this year yours. Wishing you and your family the best year yet xx
Lauren @ Create Bake Make recently posted..Prosciutto, Bocconcini & Rocket Pizza – Fabulous Foodie Fridays #33
I love this idea Grace, and it’s so true. We get swept up in all these big ideas and what “achievements” are supposed to be and forget about what’s inside. I’m definitely working on the inside this year, as well as pushing myself out of my comfort zone and trying things that scare me for whatever reason. Great post.
ana recently posted..Pasta with zucchini flowers and ricotta
Can I go 50/50 for this year? The small things are without doubt the most important and your beautiful list of little moments is perfect. But I’m also creeping back out of the space where little kids dominated my life and adding a few personal ambitions to my list this year where career and stuff is concerned. Hopefully I can get the balance right. Happy new year!
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted..Nature vs Nurture: New research shows that nothing is your fault!
Absolutely, lovely! I know what you mean about getting your space back and working on your own ambitions. I’m hoping to do that this year too! It’s all about balance, right? x
I loved reading this Grace, I’m so with you on focusing on the little things this year. All that other stuff doesn’t matter… it’s just about the little things that make us happy. xx
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted..Prosciutto, Bocconcini & Rocket Pizza – Fabulous Foodie Fridays #33
I am definitely in the small yet great camp. Just looking toward more hands on parenting and playing with my kids, and concentrating on what I want to do with my writing. Oh,,and paying more attention to friends!
Dani @ sand has no home recently posted..A Forest, a War and a Construction Site
Again in the very low key camp, I’m being kind to me because I’ve finally realised that I’m NOT super woman and can’t do it all. So I’ll probably do WAY less than last year but hopefully be a lot happier. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2015 to you and your family my friend. Now don’t forget if you ever need a weekend away, get on a plane and I’ll see you at the airport!!! xxx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Honest back to school advice for parents!
Absolutely Grace! Beautiful post. These days I make no grand resolutions, I just strive to be the best person I can be and try to improve in areas that need improvement. Min xo
Min@WriteoftheMiddle recently posted..TASMANIA: What are the ‘must see’ places?
I’m felling a bit like that this year Grace. Just do what you want to do and be who you are. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
EssentiallyJess recently posted..To GOT or not to GOT
I spent years wanting to move as far up the ladder at work as I could. I found out the higher you get the more they take advantage of you and the more work you do without being paid for it. Now I’ve had bub everything has changed, I have no desire to do it anymore. I’m technically still on maternity leave and I actually have dreams I’m at work all the time and I can’t see Hayley and all I want to do is quit so I can be with her.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..Giggle & Hoot live in Brisbane
And a happy New Year to you too Grace. Indonesian lullabies sound perfectly charming.
Pinky Poinker recently posted..Would You Like a Cat?
I would love for this year to be just a bit quieter so I can focus on me and my goals. The past few years I’ve had no stability and it really impacts every part of your life.
Vanessa recently posted..2015 The Year Of Me
You’re so inspiring Grace. My husband has faced those same corporate issues. I had to bring him back to earth when he got caught up in the greedy and money grubbing ways of finance. It really is a black hole. I like money like most people but I think when it’s all you think about and being better is about how much you have instead of quality of life then it’s time to step back. What do you want your lombsonte to say right? “Here lies a greedy dick who made lots of money but lost his family in the process.” No thanks. I am with you, no big goals but smaller achievable ones.
Peachy Keen Mumma – Jess recently posted..Voted Best Pizza in the World – 400 Gradi, Melbourne
I am going in the complete opposite direction this year. I am tired of playing small and achieving small. This is my year to step up into my power and make things happen! xx N
Nikki@Wonderfully Women recently posted..Create a ‘Happy Helper’ Book!
Good sound advice here Grace. Your photos are gorgeous too! Like Nikky, I’m willing to ramp it up this year and see what I’m capable of 🙂 Blessings♥
I’m in the camp of lots of small things add up to something great. Like you, I am sick of setting these massive goals, only to be knocked down because they just aren’t attainable right now.
Tegan recently posted..Things the CPAP Machine has taught me
Ah Grace, such a lovely post, and I love that quote from Napolean Hill. How beautiful that you sing your boys the same Indonesian lullaby that your mum used to sing to you 🙂
lizzy allan – muddle-headed mamma recently posted..Every Yuletide, I do Wonder
“You know when you’re blessed when you can’t think of anything…” – you’ve got a good one there Grace! I’m planning to stick to lots of small goals this year – if I can do that then I will feel like I’ve achieved something pretty big. Wishing you much happiness in 2015.
I love your simple things approach and I can see where you are coming from. I think the key is to never lose sight of the importance of the little things in the midst of the growth and the goals. Better not to reach the goals than to miss out on all the great small stuff.
Kathy recently posted..Freedom, the rights of children, democracy
Lovely post and I really believe in the small things daily to make a happy life. Love your quote.
Julie recently posted..The Zen of Deterring Cats from using your Garden as a Toilet
I love this post Grace. The little things are sometimes what it is all about. Sometimes they are the hardest to achieve too. May your goals become realities this year.
Caitlin recently posted..Shattered This Christmas
Happy New Year Grace. I’m going for consolidation this year. Sort of medium things I guess.
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side of Parenting recently posted..Baby Crawling Races (with beer) – New Year’s Eve the 1950s way
I think that’s absolutely beautiful Grace! The small things are incredibly important but sometimes easily overlooked aren’t they?
Have a great week!
Aanika recently posted..Coconut Berry Smoothie
After an epic year last year which was completely unexpected, this year I am happy to indulge in what I already have and enjoy spending time with my beautiful family. Anything else above that is a bonus. Happy New Year to you lovely. xx
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..Can you use a disabled toilet if you aren’t disabled?
Happy New Year Grace!!! This week has been extremely hectic as I try to plan a ‘Frozen’ party for the little one in a span of a week! Other than that, hoping to take it easy this week!
Winnie @ Bubfriendly recently posted..{Review & Giveaway} dish’d – Delicious frozen meals from all over the world delivered to your door step simply with a click of the mouse
Great post, Grace. I have specific goals this year, but nothing too big and bold. All realistic, but ones that needed to become goals to give me the kick up the butt I need!
Emily recently posted..The Book With No Pictures – B.J. Novak (book review)
I have barely even noticed it’s another year, except for writing the date at work. I don’t have any resolutions, no real goals, just to be a better person. And to either accept my situations or, if I don’t like them, change them. Simple as that, really. I think as we grow our priorities change. There is nothing wrong with wanting the corporate life, accolades, incomes that go with all that. But for most, there is much more to life than that. As long as you have a work/life balance and are happy, that’s the main thing. That balance will be different for everyone. Hope 2015 is full of love, laughter and peace for you and your family Grace. xo
Aroha recently posted..The Eye Roll
Beautiful post Grace, and a Happy New Year to you! I’m going to sit on the fence for this one. I so want the little things like taking precious moments of my two girls while they are still little (sort of, Popette is now 6!) but I’m also wanting to focus on myself a bit more this year 🙂 I hope 2015 brings you much happiness, laughter and love xo
Julie @ Off to the park recently posted..Happy New Year + my guiding word
So important not to miss the “little” things whilst chasing after the big ones. In the end it will be the little things that matter most.
I think I’m trying to find that magical balancing point this year. I want to push myself enough to achieve something big but I want to keep in mind that sometimes enough is enough and not to push myself too hard. No idea how I am going to find that balance, I have a feeling I may have bitten off more than I can chew in choosing ‘enough’ as my mantra for the year. I hope your 2015 gives you enough – enough space to be who you want to be.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted..Friday Favourites: Kimba Likes
Oh I love this! It reminds me of that quote that goes something like, treasure the little things because one day, you’ll look back in life and realise they were the big things. Looks like you have 2015 sussed! Bring on the awesome! xx
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted..Thermomix Snickers Brownies
Without all those little things, the big things don’t really mean so much, so they Grace?
I hope your 2015 is off to a cracking start xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..New Opportunities
I’m all for the little things this year too, your quote says it perfectly…
I hope you’ve had a fab break and happy 2015 lovely lady x
Sarah @ tomfo recently posted..Free Sparkler Favour Tag for New Year’s Eve and all year round
Love this Grace and I’m following a very similar approach. Happy New Year, I’m rather late to the linkup party, I’ve been having a lot of much needed down time and struggling to get back into the blogging swing of things.
I’m really hoping to hop on a flight to Sydney and meet you this year.
Raych aka Mystery Case recently posted..The Perfect LBD 52 Ways – Interview Time
Can’t agree more…I’ll go with doing small things in a great way :)..well, I have to say, I tend to let things flow with the flow and 2014 has been a year with many tremendous changes in my life..I sincerely hope 2015 will be colorful and blissful for me and my family…Happy 2015 🙂
indah nuria savitri recently posted..WW: Deer Lake, Pennsylvania
So lovely. I totally agree with you and have a very similar plan for 2015 . Keeping it simple is definitely something we all need to remember in our lives.
Erika @ Ever-changing Life of a Mum recently posted..Staying in holiday mode
I am so with you on this Grace, I’m all about capturing the moments, both on camera and in my mind. Just doing the best I can at everything I do this year. I’ve broken down my exercise and eating in to small goals and changes so that it doesn’t feel overwhelming and so it’s something I can sustain over the long-term. Here’s to small steps in 2015 and making the most of the everyday.
Kylie Purtell – A Study in Contradictions recently posted..One Word – 2015
Amen. Well said Mama G!
Kristyn recently posted..Merry Christmas!
Definitely, small and great. I stopped being “glamorous” the moment they cut me open to pry out the little monkeys! Happy New Year, Grace – to health, humor and happiness.
Nami recently posted..It Angst Got That Thing
Oh Grace, I love how you have nailed it – life is important, the small things do matter, it makes life worth living. I sure hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and new years eve. Sending lots of love your way for a fantastic 2015 year xxx
Lisa Wood recently posted..Fixing The Springs
Happy New Year Grace ….catching up now on your posts this year having been away till this Monday. I love the quote about doing small things well and I love what you have set out for the year ahead. Hope it’s an incredible year!
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life recently posted..2015 goals and dreams