Dream big little mom.

The first step to changing any aspect of your life is to simply realize that change is needed. This is something many of us have perfected. We often have goals but no plan in place. In order for change to happen though, we have to act. I often find myself fantasizing about the life I wish I lived, or the mom I want to be. But the reality is, I am more than capable of creating these things for myself.

For me, I know that I lack routine, discipline, and self-care. I am fully aware that I should wake up earlier, take vitamins and eat healthier, and have more structure for my daughter. Many nights before bed, I sit and contemplate different ways that I could do better. But that is as far as I get, and I am stuck in the contemplation stage.

The idea of new year’s resolutions come to mind this time of year, and I tend to want to wait for the perfect time to make a change. If we continue to wait for the “right time”, we might just be waiting for the rest of our lives. Recently, I have tried to implement a “don’t wait, just do” attitude into my day to day.

So, what can we do when we are full of ideas but can’t seem to get up from the couch? Personally, I have to start small. Not only in my actions, but my thought life. I must remove distractions and celebrate my small wins. For example, if my goal is to implement self-care, I should focus on one aspect of self. Maybe I spend more time in the shower or take a nap one afternoon. As simple as this sounds, I have achieved one of my goals by taking this small action. Therefore, I should applaud myself and realize that I am well on my way to achieving the life that felt unattainable.

In early recovery, change was scary and uncomfortable for us. The fear of the unknown keeps us from making many changes. Today, I look forward to change and try to regularly set goals for myself. I like to focus on the three components of goal setting: motivation, commitment, and self-regulation. You can think of motivation as the cause that makes you want to get started in the first place. Whether that is your mental or physical health, personal beliefs, or something you wish could be different. Your commitment can be thought of as your willingness to follow through. And self-regulation is simply staying persistent and consistent enough to achieve your goals.

When making changes, I encourage moms to set goals that help them to reframe their thinking, set up healthy habits, and will create positive outcomes in their life. Goal setting will not only allow you to become stronger in your recovery, but it will also give you the ability to be a better mom. We often find ourselves working to give our children a better life, but we deserve better too. What changes will you make today?