Now that we’re already months into 2023 and new year’s resolutions have all been forgotten, I’ve decided to refocus.
I thought maybe 2023 would be the year it all came together for me and my real life might start to look as put together as my Instagram life, but no, not this year. I’m now thinking about all the things I said I’d do... and now I've decided, I am going to do the polar opposite.
It all started when I read Holly Wainwright’s, 'I Don’t' list from 2019 and thought I’d write my own. After the burnout I experienced in 2022 and the false start to 2023, I’m cutting things out instead of adding things in.
I’m too busy to do it all, so my latest resolution is to not do. I’m kicking the ‘shoulds’ to the curb, prioritising the ‘don’ts’ as well as the important things – like health, happiness and soul-saving convenience.
Here are a few ‘don’ts’ off my list.
I don’t book appointments on Mondays.
Some say TGIF but since my kids became school-aged it’s TGIM for me. Once they’re out the door Monday morning I don't want to be rushing around. I keep meetings to an absolute minimum and refuse to make appointments. I’ll be rushing around the rest of the week, no doubt and I need time to recharge.
On Mondays I wear my comfy pants and leave my hair in a bun.
I don’t eat the kids' meals.
When Lean Cuisine offers healthy frozen meals in the same supermarket aisle as the chicken nuggets there’s no need for me to be eating kid food just because it’s convenient. Lean Cuisine’s yummy meals are simple and quicker to make than the nuggets. Best bit is, award-winning nutritionist and dietitian Susie Burrell has worked with Lean Cuisine to create a variety of options, so even when the kids want nuggets four nights a week, I can mix it up with everything from Lamb and Rosemary Hot Pot to Veg’d Up Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni. Meals are full of veggies, grains and high-quality protein making them delicious and nutritious.