I’ve discussed the importance of me time before, but now that it’s a new year with all of its hope and fresh beginnings, I feel the need to stress it even more. This is our first year as a family of three(!). This is the first year I’m beginning with a baby of my very own (!!) and it is absolutely even more important to me than ever before to be the best version of myself that I can be. Yes, it’s for me, but more than that, it’s for my little one, too. He looks to me for everything. He’s looking to me to set an example for his life. That’s kind of a big undertaking, don’t you think? And so, this new year, I’m really focusing on bettering myself. My heart, my health, my relationships, my reactions to things that are out of my control. This year my focus is shifted to being better for those around me. And that always starts with me. That starts right here, right now. Because if not now, when? And if not me, then who? So I have made a few resolutions for a few little ways to refresh myself in the new year, from the inside out. Because little things can make a big difference, and being a new mom means it’s easy for me to let myself be the last person I think about. But I’m important, too. And I need to take care of myself in order to be better for my darling baby and my sweet husband. These resolutions go far beyond the new year, though. They’re resolutions for life- for every day of every year.
Each day I want to set aside time for me. I want to wake up refreshed and ready for a new day. I want to start my day by spending some time just me and God, in prayer and stillness.
Each day I want to make someone smile. Even if it’s just a stranger. Because a smile from a complete stranger is comforting sometimes, isn’t it? And who knows whose day I can make brighter just from a simple smile.
I want to focus less on material things and more on what really matters. My baby’s sweet grin. My husband’s happiness. My friend’s laughter. These are the things that keep me going and that I’ll remember in years to come.
Each day I want to do something that gets me moving. It might not be a targeted workout (this ever moving and growing baby makes that difficult to do sometimes!) but I want to make sure that I get moving and get that heart pumping in some way, every day. Going on walks with Sam, getting some yoga in before bed, doing my favorite workout video. Something, anything, to just move! (I’ll be sharing my more specific fitness resolutions soon!)
I want to take better care of my skin. Long gone are the days where I come home from a fun party and just crash in my bed, with all my makeup still on. And I am certainly not mad about those days being gone! ;) But I ain’t getting any younger, and now that I’m in the later part of my 20’s, I’m starting to realize that skincare is so important- maybe the most important part of any beauty regimen! And I want to do it right. This is why I have been using (and loving) renewed hope in a jar by philosophy. It’s a skin renewing moisturizer that leaves your skin soft, dewy and smooth all day long. It smells amazing and it gives my skin a re-energized and glowing look, too! Um, hello new favorite moisturizer! What better way to feel renewed in the new year than by literally renewing your skin?! 
Check out philosophy on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
And now it’s giveaway time! To enter for a chance to win a $100 off offer code to philosophy.com, leave a comment below with how you plan on renewing yourself in the new year! xo
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
- Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
- Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
- Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
- For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 1/5/15 – 2/23/15.
Be sure to visit the philosophy brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
I registered for my free sample of this and I cannot wait for it to arrive!
I love your “life” resolutions! :)
Tweeted here: https://twitter.com/mercedeslyne/status/552155635576741888
I’m focusing on being intentional in 2015! One way I’m working on being renewed is by setting a designated weekday to “unplug” and be more present and in the moment! I’m so excited for how it will enrich my life!
My skin is feeling so dry and tight with winter, I’m also looking for a good moisturizer!
I want devote time each week to whitening my teeth and exercise at least 4 times a week!
Thanks for the chance!
I love philosophy! I want to renew myself by being intentional about taking “me time” away from my new baby :)
You’re such a beautiful person, inside and out! Lovely resolutions!
I’m definitely working on making sure I get activity in my life at least once a day and to enjoy the simple things in life :)
Thank you so much, Shannon!! You are the sweetest and you made me smile today! :)
xo
I plan on making time for myself each night by sneaking away and reading in bed for about 30 min. Any time I get a chance to read, I feel like a new person!
In 2015 I am going to make a serious effort to drink more water and get to the gym at least 4 -5 days / week.
i love your goals! you’re definitely an inspiration and you always make people smile! And if you are just having a day where you can’t, just let that sweet boy do the work for you :) (and super excited to try out the Hope in a Jar!)
Love this! I’m trying to wake up earlier and set aside 15 minutes to journal every morning. I usually wake up and immediately check emails, instagram, fb, etc… and that’s not such a great way to get going. I want some quiet time to start my day on the right foot! Fingers crossed that I can keep it up.. ha! :)
I am hoping to start taking a little time each day to work towards my personal goals in addition to being a mom and wife!
I didn’t set hardcore goals for the year Bc I think it’s nearly impossible to plan out the next 12 months of your life, but I do want one if my guiding mantras to be OPEN to new possibilities and change. That in and if itself is a major way I can take care of myself!
To renew
To renew myself this year I am trying to think of something positive every time I am about to complain!
I’m definitely focusing on spending more time just enjoying my little family of three as well :)
I absolutely love this post — those are all such great ways to be a better you! I know I can relate so much to wanting to be better for my son. I would love it if you linked up with us for the January “Love Yourself” 12×30 Challenge, this post would fit right in.
http://www.chasingmyextraordinary.com/love-12×30-challenge/
Spend less, save more; that’s my plan for 2015. College will be expensive one day!
To stay consistent in my running :)
As a new mom I agree that taking time for you, as hard as it is is a necessity. Taking a few minutes each day for me will be a priority for me. The laundry can wait. Try to get moving more, too!
Ooh love Philosophy! Love what you said about setting aside time in the morning for prayer and stillness. My goal this year is to approach Scripture like I never have before! I recently read a great book on how to be Biblically literate (as opposed to readings random passages with no context!) and it rocked my world! Can’t wait to implement it!
My resolution is to get more organized…in everything. With three kids 3yo and under (and #4 on the way!) It’s so easy to just let the days go by feeling lost while your doing nothing at all almost lol. I need to be more intentional about my time AND their time being productive and constructive!
I am going to exercise regularly and spend more time with family in 2015 and wear sunscreen whenever I am outside.
I plan on losing weight and getting a new haircut to renew.
tweet https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/552289044634537984
I plan on renewing myself by stressing less and relaxing more!
I’m trying to focus on happiness. That doesn’t mean bad stuff won’t happen, but I hope to focus on gratitude and finding joy!
Tweet: https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/552313116806365185
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
for years I foolishly ignored mums quips about the importance of skin care, her favourite was ‘you want to get better looking not worse’.
Now I can’t get enough of my skincare routine.
I’m renewing myself with a new mind in 2015. I always worry too much and let silly things get to me and dwell on them for far too long. I’m just going to live in the moment and let go of my anxieties!
I don’t like to make “resolutions” and I feel I never fulfill them, however this year I am calling them “life changes” instead. I am going to work on making myself a better person. To remember that smiling is more beautiful than frowning and that I can’t control everything. To embrace the things I can’t control. To start being a “do-er” instead of a “say-er”. My goal is to make 2015 my best year YET!
Happy New Year to you and your sweet family!
also tweeted!
https://twitter.com/Brittanyann1187/status/552352285444300800
My new year’s resolution is to cook at home more and eat out less. My husband and I often fall into the trap of getting home from work so late and getting take out because we are both exhausted. But that’s an unhealthy and expensive habit!! =)
I would like to slow down and enjoy all that I have wanted and now am blesses enough to have!!! A healthy family, the most amazing love I could’ve ever dreamed of with my husband, and this pregnancy :)
I also want to take better care of my skin. I am planning to start using a weekly face mask in hopes that my skin will improve.
I too am hoping to take some more “me” time each day so I can feel blessed and rejuvenated to be more present as a wife and mother each and every day!
I plan to try different exercise routines this year
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/552618455887650816
I plan to renew by cleaning up my diet after all of the horrible holiday eating!
I plan to renew by eating healthier in 2015!
I am renewing myself by taking more time for me, working out more, enjoying the little things, and being more active.
my tweet – https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/553062192413560833