New Year’s Resolutions already get a bad rap. It seems both arbitrary and basic to equate a turn in the calendar with getting our lives together.
New Year’s resolutions inspire hope. And I need that hope now more than ever.
The little girl who loved the start of a new school year is the adult woman who looks at a new calendar year with glee, eagerly concocting plans, and lists, and goals, and then more plans. These are my 2021 New Year’s resolutions, divided by life area and organized by (themed) quarter cuz I just can’t help myself.

My 2021 New Year’s Resolutions
Parenting Resolutions
1st Quarter 2021: Paperwork and Preparation
- Big A insurance issues (ugh)
- Little A school preparedness
- Tiny A sleep schedule
2nd Quarter 2021: Togetherness and Intention
- A more organized and delineated “work” and “family” time schedule
- Get outside as a family three times a week
- Monthly “solo dates” with each kid
3rd Quarter 2021: Declutter and Decoupage
- Pass on outgrown toys, etc
- Use craft time to make holiday presents earlier
- Get a handle on the clothes situation
4th Quarter 2021: Assess and Persevere
- Complete all wellness checks and follow up visits
- Check Big, Little, and Tiny A against typical developmental milestones checklists
- Uh, self-care
Professional Resolutions
1st Quarter 2021: Lean Into Always Relevant Digital
- Check in continually with Josh to offer the best support
- Shoulder at-home preschool and household chores
- Pursue copywriting and editing opportunities
2nd Quarter 2021: Diversify Content
- Explore various content delivery methods
- Invest in equipment
3rd Quarter 2021: Elevate Content
- Longer form content, here we come!
4th Quarter 2021: Assess and Persevere
- Study end of year financials and analytics
Interpersonal Resolutions
1st Quarter 2021: SAD vs. Me
- Self check-ins to assess Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Weekly friend dates for battling isolation and releasing dopamine
- Weekly “date night in” with Josh for the same reasons
2nd Quarter 2021: New Ways of Networking
- Check in weekly and electronically with colleagues and mentors to battle isolation and increase networking skills
- Participate in community online activity monthly
- Write someone an actual letter/card
3rd Quarter 2021: News Ways to Holiday
- Try to keep some perspective, who knows what this year will look like
- Stay calm
4th Quarter 2021: Assess and Persevere
- If I did not, in fact, stay calm, insert more self-care here

Health Resolutions
1st Quarter 2021: Back On The Horse
- Exercise 20 minutes a day
- Stretch
- Stretch some more (I need to be able to do the splits this summer)
2nd Quarter 2021: It’s Gotta Be Holistic, Tho
- Don’t neglect your spiritual and personal development habits
- Cultivate gratitude
3rd Quarter 2021: Vitamin D and Deadlines
- Exercise outside twice a week
- Involve the boys in workouts twice a week
- Be able to do the splits
4th Quarter 2021: Assess and Persevere
- Take measurements (not just physical, emotional check-ins and non-scale victories too)
- Do the splits all the time
Projects
1st Quarter 2021: Massive Declutter
- Keep baby stuff going out the door
- Organize “office”
2nd Quarter 2021: Garden Makeover
- Make up for last summer’s weeding neglect
- Turn old shopping cart into a planter
3rd Quarter 2021: Living Room Re-do
- Paint, hang new stuff, etc
4th Quarter 2021: Financially Sane Holiday Season
- Walk into this quarter with clear financial expectations, limits, and goals

Remind Me To Reassess My 2021 New Year’s Resolutions
I always think I’ll do a six month re-evaluation of my New Year’s resolutions, but I rarely do. Keep me accountable, ok?
Let me know your resolutions in the comments.
Happy resolution setting!
Love,

This post is part of Twinkl’s New Year Campaign, and is featured in 20+ New Year’s Resolutions For Families