When writing this blog post, we are almost three months into 2022. How are those New Year’s resolutions of yours going? Not good? Forgot about them? If you want 2022 to look different from other years, you got to make some changes. In today’s post, I share 15 things every mom should avoid this year – 2022!
Change is never easy!
It takes a whole lot of commitment. But if you do the work, stay focused and never give up. Your effort will not go in vain!
Are you willing to put in the work?
15 Things Every Mom Should Avoid This Year
Here are fifteen things every mom should attempt to avoid this year to step into the best version of herself.
1. Avoid being burned out
You will not progress this year if you are constantly running on empty.
You will constantly feel like a hamster. And lose your enthusiasm when it comes to going after your dreams. It will seem further than it is.
You will be triggered easily, leaving you to react negatively to situations. Only to regret it later on.
For example, you yell at your kids when they ask for a snack or juice refill.
When you keep burning out, your health will be depleted. And you can easily fall sick. Then what’s going to happen to your loved ones?
Who will take care of them when you are unable to?
Commit to a schedule that works best for YOU. Carve time for rest and relaxation.
Getting less than seven hours of rest can reduce your white blood cells, affecting your immune system. When this happens, it increases your chances of getting sick when exposed to viruses.
Related post on rest and relaxation:
2. Stress over what you don’t have control of
How many times per day does your mind wander – worrying over something that happened two days ago or even five years ago?
Studies show we have over six thousand thoughts per day. Crazy right?!
It’s just natural to have something from your past pop up for you. When this happens, let those thoughts go. Don’t ponder on it, wishing you had done things differently. You can’t go back and change the past. Let it go.
Similarly, if you are stressing about the future, let it go. Live in the present and focus on the now. Focus on what you have rather than what you don’t have.
If you are awaiting your doctor’s office results, the office will not be open until tomorrow. There’s nothing you can do now but take care of yourself today. When tomorrow arrives, you deal with the news then.
My mantra was to be proactive rather than reactive for a long time. This thinking made me stressed about constantly having things perfect. And if it weren’t, I would stress over it and fabricate the outcomes.
I choose to stop pondering on the past and worrying over the future and begin living in the now. Yes, I have goals and ambitions, but I don’t stress about the outcomes.
Instead, I take daily steps to get where I want to be and trust the process.
You can do the same.
Affirm – I choose to live in the present moment. I am focusing on the now.
3. Worry what others think of you
You are probably spending a chunk of your time worrying about what others think of you or would consider of you if you decide to follow your dreams.
Every mom should avoid worrying about what others think of them this year and do that “thing” she truly wants to do.
Stop caring what other people think of you and start doing what you want, what matters, and what is important to you.
You got one life to live. Live it to your fullest. Dream big and pursue your dreams. Don’t let others define what you can and can’t do.
The chances of people telling you what you can, should, and shouldn’t do are pretty high these days. However, you have to own your truth and pursue your desires. It would be best if you ignored all the chatter in the background.
Take the leap this year, show up, and be your best. Believe in yourself and know that you can be everything you are.
4. Avoid missing opportunities this year
Let this be the year you start saying “yes” to what inspires and “drives” you.
There are many, many opportunities out there. Suppose you are a stay-at-home-mom who feels unfulfilled because you’re not contributing to your family’s income. Then start a side hustle. This is the year you start that side hustle you’ve been dreaming of. Not next year. Not when your kids are all grown up. 2022 is the year to grab that opportunity when it comes knocking on your door.
If you’re unsure where to start with your side hustle, go to your community library and borrow entrepreneurial books. Listen to entrepreneurial podcasts. Follow leaders on Instagram. Join Facebook groups. These are all great avenues for inspiration. But the best inspiration will come from within you.
Find at least 15 minutes every day to do something you love. Revisit an old hobby. What are you binge-watching on YouTube or Instagram?
Whatever you are being pulled to do is what your heart truly desires to do.
If something intrigues you and it’s above your knowledge. Don’t doubt yourself and your abilities. Pursue it. Believe in yourself and stick with it.
Often, I see moms giving up on their dreams right when they would have succeeded.
5. Failing to invest in your needs
Gone are the days when you would put your needs last and everyone else’s needs in from of yours.
For years, I did this. I found it so hard to purchase something for myself. I would see all the reasons why I shouldn’t buy something for myself and all the reasons why it was necessary to prioritize my loved one’s needs.
In so doing, I lost my confidence and self-worth. Heck, I forgot to even take care of myself. I forgot what wearing a new pair of jeans or boots was like.
Then when I saw other women looking the way I wanted to. I felt inferior. Not good enough. I didn’t quite blend in.
Do you feel like this as well?
Take back your power and claim your confidence.
I’m not saying you need to go out there and spend extravagantly on things you don’t need. But, mama, if you need a new pair of jeans, get one for yourself. You are worthy of it. Get your hair done by the hairdresser. Take care of your needs. Fill your cup first, mama.
When your cup is filled, you will be able to show up and be the best mom, wife, and woman you possibly can be.
You will feel confident and proud of yourself for taking care of your family and yourself. You won’t feel inferior and the need to fit in because you would know your worth.
Investing in your needs is essential to love yourself unconditionally. Don’t feel guilty for buying something that you desire. You are deserving of it!
6. Sticking to old beliefs
We all have beliefs. Some we have developed since childhood. Others were told to us. And some that we convinced ourselves of.
Some of these beliefs, especially those we tell ourselves, limit us from being the best version of ourselves.
In becoming the next best version of yourself, you will constantly need to rewire these old beliefs.
For example – you are probably telling yourself, that you are not smart enough to start a side hustle. You don’t have enough time or money. Etcetera.
This is the year you can edit those old beliefs and reprogram new ones.
Ask yourself – who do you want to be? What kind of life do you want for yourself? How do you want to live your life? What values do you stand by?
Now that you have a clear identity for yourself ( the next best version of you). Step into that version of yourself.
Speak to yourself like the next best version of you would speak to herself. See her, daydream a day in the life of your future self. Be her today!
I bet the desired version will not speak negatively to herself and remind her why she should not start a side hustle. Instead, she cheers her on and reminds her of all her strengths and why she should begin her desired side hustle.
Be willing to edit your beliefs this year. Release the beliefs that don’t serve you and build unto beliefs that will improve you.
7. Staying in your comfort zone
You will never know the answer if you don’t ask. And if you keep doing the same thing this year that you’ve been doing in past years. Then you can expect to get the same results.
Commit to taking action by getting out there.
Yes, you will hear a lot of nos. But eventually, you will get that one, yes. The “yes” that will pivot you a step closer to living your dream life.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! It can be scary at first, but once you get a hand with it. You will realize that fear only paralyze you.
8. Preoccupy with gossip
It’s pretty easy to get caught up with gossip. Your best friend may share something quite intriguing, and naturally, you may want to know more.
Everyone has a story, and so do you. In the same way, you will not want someone sharing your story with others. That person who is the center of gossip will wish they weren’t as well.
Plus, that time spent on gossip can be used to grow your side hustle or focus on your personal development.
Your development journey is ongoing, so there will always be something to learn.
Related post on a personal development journey
9. Not spending time with yourself
Earlier, I mentioned that you couldn’t pour from an empty cup. And it’s something we need to remind ourselves of as mothers and women constantly.
We constantly pour onto others and try hard to give our all to everyone.
You want to be the best daughter, sister, wife, mother, employee, friend, and so much more.
Nothing is wrong with wanting to be the best of everything you are. But in the process, ensure you are not spreading yourself too thin. Make time for yourself. Get to know yourself and discover the magic within you.
Your relationship with yourself will define your relationship with everything else in life.
Let this be the year where you connect with yourself.
10. Constantly blaming yourself
Not everything is your fault.
Maybe you feel this way because your spouse constantly turns to you when something gets misplaced. Others have always pointed blame at you. Or you feel the need to ensure everything works out.
You are just human, and mistakes are part of life, regardless of how big or small. Quit blaming yourself and let this year be the year you own your voice and lead with compassion. Compassion for the closest person to you. Yourself.
Forgive yourself when things don’t work out and look for a solution.
Affirm- everything is working out perfectly for me.
11. Procrastinating and making excuses
Time, money, kids, and family commitments.
Procrastination is a thing every mom should avoid this year.
This is when you ditch your excuses and focus on the bigger picture.
Suppose money is holding you back from pursuing the life you want. Find free programs to help you move closer to that “thing” you desire.
There are many free resources out there that are jam-packed with information that can move you forward. All you need to do is show up and commit your time.
If time is an excuse, stop making it an excuse and affirm – I have enough time to focus on “X.”
Constantly making time and excuses will only create reasons you shouldn’t go after the life you want. And you will find more and more reasons why “time” is holding you back.
Making time to do what you want and affirming that you have enough time will attract more time to do the things you love in life.
Stop complaining that you don’t have enough time, appreciate the extra five minutes you have, and commit that five minutes to your personal development.
When you show the Universe that you appreciate the time you have to do what you want, you will attract ways that give you more time.
You can also do a time audit to see where most of your time is spent.
Ask someone to help take care of your kids while you work on yourself and return that favor to them.
This year, stop procrastinating and start. Stop making excuses and find solutions.
You’ve got this!
12. Clutter your space with comparison
We talk a lot about comparison on this blog.
And the truth is you will always find someone doing better than you or striving faster than you are. It’s a fact of life.
But viewing life that way will only deplete your energy.
Reflect on where you’ve come from and focus on where you are heading. See someone else’s progress as an inspiration that you can do it as well, rather than seeing it as you suck or you’re not smart enough to progress faster in life.
We all progress at our own pace, and there’s room for everyone.
Post on comparison:
13. Allow others to make your decisions
You decided to hit pause because your spouse doesn’t support you or understand what you are doing. Your parents pitch in with their two cents, and so does your best friend.
My friend, this is your life. Not everyone will understand your choices or support you. You need to trust yourself and let your intuition guide you in making the right choice for yourself.
Don’t let someone tell you what you can and can’t do, what you should and shouldn’t do. Be your boss when it comes to making life choices surrounding your happiness.
Society may not get you at times, but you must do what’s best for you and your happiness. Only you know what brings joy and happiness to you. Avoid pleasing others and start pleasing yourself.
14. Vibing with the wrong people
Vibing with the wrong crowd is something that every mom should avoid doing this year.
It’s hard when you have to let go of old friends and family members. But if someone’s vibes are not uplifting, reduce the time you spend with them or remove them entirely if you can.
Let this be the year you hang with high-vibe people. People who can lift you up.
Related post on toxicity
15. Quitting too soon
Every mom should avoid quitting too soon.
It will take time to get the results you are hoping for, whether it is with parenting, your personal development journey, your side hustle, etc.
It takes time.
Too often, we get frustrated when we don’t receive early results. So what do we do?
We throw in the towel and quit. When we stop, it happens to be very close to when results would have been generated.
Be patient this year. Stay consistent, and your hard work will pay off.
Final thoughts on 15 things every mom should avoid this year
As a mother, you want to be the best version of yourself. You want to be able to show up and take care of your kids without feeling burned out.
You want to feel fulfilled, committing to your family’s needs as much as possible. But more so, you want to feel worthy of being You. And feel confident in your own skin.
To achieve this, you need to avoid certain things in life, like saying no to an opportunity that could have moved you closer to your dreams—allowing someone who doesn’t understand your goals to make your decisions.
You need to avoid repeating the actions that don’t give results and build new habits that will allow you to achieve results.
This is your year, and I’m rooting for you!
What do you need to avoid doing this year? And what actions are you going to take? Please share with me in the comments below.
Psst. Don’t forget to share this post with another mom. And make sure to grab over 40+ affirmations below.
I couldn’t agree more with this list! Mom burn-out is real and can have a huge impact on your life and relationships.
I agree with you, Sheri! Thank you for your comment.
These are great tips! Thanks for sharing. We’ve definitely got to focus on ourselves and our own needs at times and there is nothing wrong with that.
Quitting too soon is my number 1 thing to avoid right now.