You can call them as my New Year’s resolutions but I’d rather consider them as the parts of me that I need to improve on this 2016. What I like most about the new year is the chance it brings for you to either make a fresh start or create ways for you to make your life better. The year 2015 was a difficult year for my family. We have been hit with endless challenges and issues. Several times, I have fallen into depression and felt hopeless and helpless. But together as a couple and as family, we have managed to surpass most of these challenges. While we are not completely problem-free, we remain thankful for the life we are living and the people who continue to care and love us no matter what.
My family and I are so loved by many that I feel that I should return the love by being a better version of myself. So here are the things that I want to improve on this year:
1. Prayer time
I prayed less in 2015 and spent very little alone time just to reconnect with myself and talk to Heavenly Father. I will strive harder – and will really commit to this – in praying more and spending more time for reflection. I always feel better and think better – and way kinder – when I pray and practice a few minutes of alone time every day.
2. Patience
I’ve been sharing about what very little patience I have and have waived it so proudly but I realized that I should change that. It is unacceptable for a wife and a mother to meltdown everyday and blame it to my lack of patience. The past three days, I’ve been practicing the pause. I pause before I throw a nasty comment when I’m pissed with my husband. I pause before I scream when Nicholas pulls my hair. I pause the moment I start entertaining thoughts about hating myself for not being efficient enough. This year, I commit to be more patient.
3. Organizing skills
Okay… those who know me will frown on this point because they often tell me that I’m already organized as it is. I’m organized alright with… my things, my schedule, my classes, my blogs. But not with the kids, the household chores, errands involving being wife and mother. I need to work on those aspects because I’m not single anymore and I don’t have just myself to think about. How do I plan to do this? By working in advance. For instance, I’m cooking more meals in advance so I won’t go crazy when the clock strikes 12 and the twins scream for lunch and I’m neck deep with clean clothes to put away and a baby to breastfeed.
4. Cooking and baking
Speaking of cooking… I’ve been cooking since I was nine years old. I’ve always loved cooking shows and chefs. But I’m lazy and so the past three to four years of this marriage, Jeff has been doing most of the cooking. Hey, no complains, Italian dishes are foods for the gods. But… I found out that when I cook I give our family diversity in dishes. If I cook and serve more homemade dishes, Filipino dishes to be exact, I do not only feed my family fresh, healthy meals, I also give them a taste of Filipino culture. What better way to introduce the Philippines to my children than generous servings of pinakbet and adobo?
5. Reading Fiction
I read at least eight books a month, from children’s books to (some) boring non-fiction materials. Graduate school has tied me up and made me read more academic papers in the past two years. I’m supposed to be taking only one subject this semester and then graduate to get my diploma (before taking another round of master’s degree craziness) so I’m looking forward to reading more fiction works and reviewing more fiction novels this year.
