It’s no secret to those who have known me for at least five years…I’ve gotten into an ‘all work no play’ rut.  It started when Erin was first born I was trying to keep myself distracted.  It started with little businesses.  I tried a few home businesses (Creative Memories, Taste of Home Entertaining, Jewelry, Freelance Web Design, and Photography.) Sheesh!  This was on top of being a single mom to two while working full-time as a graphic designer.

When I DID make time for fun, I felt nothing but guilt, knowing my to-do list was five miles long.

All that is in the PAST! My money goal has allowed me to realign myself and need only the money I am making.  Well, that and no more full-time day care thanks to two school aged children!

So, when I have fun photo albums to make or jewelry to dabble in - it will be for MY family.  I will put my family first - something I haven’t done in years.

This has, in general, been one of my most difficult transitions.  My friends know me as the one to turn to for help with everything.  I’ve had to change the way we all think.  I also have to change what I think of as fun.  Not big trips to hockey games or the circus one week and three nights out to dinner the next.  Instead, we’ll have a ‘Family Day’ weekly - the activities decided during a family meeting.  We’ll also play lots of board games, cook together, and go for walks.  And, hopefully, at the end of the year we’ll be an even closer family than we already are!

As for Less Consumption - I have relied too much on Convenience of late.  Too much fast food, easy shopping, and splurging.  If I can’t find something - just buy it again! New food processor one day and ice-cream maker the next? Sure, why not!  Why take the time to think about my tiny kitchen with no counterspace - making these new appliances essentially useless.  Over the course of the next year I want to purge what I don’t use while buying only used products that I absolutely need whenever possible.  I want to also stop wasting so much food…which will be reflected in a smaller food budget.

As you might notice, all of my goals go together this year.  In the end, I’m hoping they merge into more Zen in my life…