New Years Resolutions aren’t easy…

It’s the new year, and we all know what that means. New years resolutions. YUP, that’s right. The time of year where we all decide that we’re going to take massive action, and make massive change… and then mid-February we’ll all be looking back wondering how we thought we were going to become “breakfast people”.

The whole concept of new years resolutions bothers me a little bit, because (this is going to sound cliche so get ready) January 1st is another day. Just like all the other days. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s January 1st, or August 22nd, you can choose to make a big change in your life at ANY point. It’s not about doing it on any specific day, but choosing something that brings you joy, or helps you grow as a person on ANY day.

I know lining it up with the new year feels convenient, but you get what I mean, right?

And a lot of the time, we’re picking things that are just WAY too drastic of changes to actually stick to. I’m not a psychologist, but I can definitely see why deciding the new year will be the time you get up at 5am and make your bed immediately might not pan out.

But there are simpler new years resolutions that can bring even MORE joy into your life than waking up at 5am, and I wanna talk about some of them!! When it comes to some of them… I can even help give you a head start!!

Resolution 1: Be More Present

This one is one of those things that’s easy to say but not quite as easy to do.

I mean, at least if you’re someone who is kind of attached to your phone… it’s just being more present. It’s way easier than a 5am wake up, or choking down a green smoothie (I know some green smoothies are great, but you know what I mean).

Being more present isn’t something you only have to think about if you have kiddos, or a partner, either. It’s also an important element of self-care, and being kind to YOU.

It doesn’t take meditation or a ton of time either.

Being more present can be simple – as simple as having some time in your day when your phone is far, far away from you. In a designated spot on the kitchen counter, for example. That way the temptation to doom-scroll, or constantly document your life isn’t there. You can just… be.

I’ve talked about this before, but one big thing that can help with feeling you can be present with your kiddos (and in life in general!) is making sure you schedule regular photo sessions to get updated professional photos. It sounds super weird, but there’s logic!!

You CAN stop feeling like you’re going to “miss something”.

That feeling that you’re going to “miss something” is so real, and even though I regularly take professional pictures of my boys, I occasionally get the feeling too. And it’s so easy to just pull out a phone, and start documenting. Not wanting to miss the faces they make, the way they smile – I get it. I really, really do. But that level of documentation? It takes you out of the moment that’s happening. Viewing things through your phone camera isn’t the same as LIVING them.

Taking regular professional photos of your family lessens that feeling a TON, and makes sure you feel like you can actually LIVE those big moments! Because you won’t miss their gap-toothed smile if you’re going to have a family mini to document it professionally.

This year… be more present. And let me help!!

Resolution 2: Love Yourself as You Are

If you’re someone who’s big into the “massive change” new years resolutions, this one is going to sound like the cop-out of all cop-outs. But… this year, it’s time to love yourself as you ARE, instead of telling yourself that you need to change. There’s nothing wrong with making changes. There’s nothing wrong with five am wake-ups, or those green smoothies I mentioned. And there’s nothing wrong with a new gym membership, or making your bed, or journaling in the morning.

But if you’re sitting there thinking to yourself that you’ll just “be happy when… insert thing here” then you’re setting yourself up to fail. Like I mentioned, I’m no psychologist, but I’ve spent a LOT of time getting comfortable with myself, and in my own skin.

Real change doesn’t start with an ultimatum.

And I can tell you from personal experience, setting an ultimatum like that for yourself? It’s just going to mean that when you get to that goalpost you set, you’re going to set the next one and it’ll be the new standard. If you decide you’re going to be happy when you lose ten pounds, you’ll get there eventually, and when you do… there’s a SUPER high probability that you’ll look in the mirror and say “Okay I’ve lost the ten pounds… I’ll be happy when I’m more toned.”

See how that can become a vicious cycle super quickly?

It doesn’t have to be like that though. Instead of setting resolutions like “lose ten pounds” or “start a diet” – set just one resolution.

Love yourself as you are.

It’s NOT an easy resolution – it’s another one of those things that’s a lot easier to SAY than it is to DO. We’re all our own worst critics, about everything, from our work to our bodies. And all those resolutions about smoothies and meditation are really about changing ourselves so that we love who we are more. But why not just… skip those steps?

It feels easier said than done, but you CAN do it!!

Saying it like that (again) feels like making molehills out of mountains, and I get that. But loving yourself as you are saves you SO much struggle.

It also happens to be another one of those things I can help you with!! Whether you want to celebrate yourself through a portrait session, or a boudoir session, we can set time aside in your schedule to see yourself through someone else’s eyes. To capture your gorgeous smile, as you ARE already. Without all those changes new years resolutions tend to be aimed at.

Seeing yourself as others see you can be both eye opening and empowering! And it’s a massive boost to self confidence, whether your pick is a personal portrait session OR boudoir. Once we’ve finished your session and you’ve picked your favorite images to keep, you’ll have something you can look back at for years to come, to commemorate this choice to love yourself NOW, not after you’ve force fed yourself three months of kale.

The New Year is BIG

And I get that…

But it doesn’t have to be HARD. It can be about making small decisions that lead to big change. And being more present, along with loving yourself as you are, are both great steps to be happier in 2024. And remember, if you want any help along the way, whether it’s regular family sessions so that you don’t feel compelled to CONSTANTLY snap pics of your kiddos, or whether it’s a boudoir session to lock in that feeling of confidence… reach out. We should have a chat. Because 2024 is a brand new year – and it’s time for you to be truly HAPPY. And I would be honored to help!