For 2013

Here we are, three weeks into January and I've finally decided to write my New Years post. I'll admit that I've taken my time getting around to writing this. I wanted to make sure I knew what I wanted for 2013 before making any kind of commitments to the year ahead. I also didn't want to get "caught up" in the year that was 2012. Looking back, I recognize I had a hard year but maybe it was necessary. Perhaps I learned something about myself, my family and my job that will benefit me in the days, weeks, months or even years ahead. All things can't all be great all of the time so I choose to remember 2012 as a year of challenges that brought with it opportunities for personal growth.
One of my biggest struggles last year was trying to find who I was as a working mom. In attempting to do everything right, I only succeeded in overwhelming myself and ended up tired and frustrated. For 2013 I've decided to try a new approach. I want to let go of my self imposed perfectionism. I want to own less so I can spend less time stressing about acquiring, cleaning or organizing stuff. I want to get rid of stuff I don't need so I can be free to spend more time with my family and friends. I want to work on relationships, my diet and I want to exercise. I want to remember what's important and focus on only that.
I figure this will naturally segue to my finances. If I'm spending less money on "stuff" then my bank account should get bigger. Right? In 2013 I'll be celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary. Jamie and I might be taking two holidays (!) to mark the occasion and we want to make sure we have the financial means to support our good times. What is a new pair of shoes, a new casserole dish and some pretty towels to one week in the Bahamas - nothing!
My job is another story. Like most jobs, this one affords me plenty of stress. I commute almost two hours each day so I can sit in a tiny cubicle and fight for a 20 year demand forecast that everyone seems to disagree with. What I've recently come to understand is that every one is fighting their own fight. No one is in it to work together because most of us simply don't have the time. We're also overworked to the point where it's getting hard to care from one project to the next. But I don't want to feel stressed or tired or annoyed anymore. So I will choose to do my job pleasantly. I'm happy to have a job and maybe, for now, that's enough. I choose to go to work with a smile on my face and then, at the end of the day, leave work at work. I don't want to think about it outside the office because none of it really matters anyways. I'm not saving lives or making scientific discoveries; I basically move numbers around. In the grand scheme of things, I figure this can hardly be stress-worthy.
So 2013 could be a year of change for me. A year of growth and discovery. A year to be a teacher - especially to my son. A year to be an engaged partner and celebrate 10 years of marriage. A year to make the workplace a little happier for me and my collegues. A year to lighten up and let go. A year for  more laughs, love and happy memories. Yes . . . I'm ready for this.