No.1 on my list of #NYresolutions

Be Better.

Going into 2017 I didn’t have any New Years resolutions. I knew the year ahead would have challenges as we grew our family from 4 to 5.

I knew we would have days, weeks and maybe even months of hard. At that time I didn’t feel I had capacity to put more on myself as a person.

I felt if I set up New Years resolutions I was setting myself up for failure.

I hate failure.

So I just didn’t.

This year is different.

We’ve made it through the year.

We had the hard.

We had the tough days/weeks/months.

And we survived.

We survived with smiles 💛 and with more capacity.

Now, going into 2018, my resolutions are creeping into my heart. All with one common theme: to be better.

My first resolution is to be a better MOM. I believe I’m a good mom; I understand my babies deeply. I know their tones of voice for each of their moods or needs. I understand their love languages, and I feel I share a special and deep bond with each of them, each unique and beautiful in their own right.

But… BUT… there are a lot of ways I can improve, and I dont want to settle for being a good mom… I want to be a GREAT mom!

A major downfall of mine, and something I want to work on going into 2018; I’m not great at “doing stuff”, especially stuff I don’t particularly like doing… like running around the garden, climbing to the top of the jungle gym… or SWIMMING! I don’t particularly LIKE swimming. I just don’t like being wet 🙃 #patheticmuch

BUT… #somanybuts

I’m raising children, two of whom are boys! My boys want and need me to do stuff with them. I need to be better at doing STUFF they love- not just the art, puzzles, reading etc, but the physical stuff 👊🏼 that’s where the real memories are made, right?!

When I push myself out of my comfortable space and pre-set mould, and go into a place of “uncomfortable”, then I’m better able to humble myself to hopefully be more of what they need me to be.

So that’s my first resolution guys, to push myself to do more stuff that isn’t in my character to do…

Hopefully by this time next year we’ll be competing to see who does the biggest dive-bomb splash into our pool 💦🤗

Have you started your New Years resolution lists? How do you feel about “resolutions”? X

Author: Shan Fourie

Shan Fourie is a busy mom of three, based in Ballito, and is a full-time lifestyle blogger/Content Creator. With over 14 years of experience in marketing, Shan began blogging in 2018, and embarked into full-time content creation in 2021. Shan uses her platform to share brands, businesses as well as to raise awareness and funds for causes and initiatives close to her heart. Somewhat of an activist, Shan has helped bring people together for multiple causes, including A21 Walk for Freedom, multiple Bone Marrow & Blood drives, a peaceful protest to stop NetCare Alberlito from closing its paeds ward, as well as other movements she is passionate about. Her biggest focus this year is on raising funds, alongside The Rise Up Movement, for a GBV safe house in Kwadukuza, along with a lab for facilitating rape-kits on site, instead of having to send them to Pretoria. Shan is an official Ambassador for (a) The SA Bone Marrow Registry, (b) the Red Movement (a movement intent on eradicating period poverty), and (c) and a partner of the Rise Up Movement - an NPO that stands against GBV, Child abuse, and Human Trafficking. Shan was a Mrs South Africa 2022 finalist, 2023 CANSA ambassador for Mrs South Africa, and Discovery Bank was her gold sponsor. Shan is also the official Wellness influencer for Gateway Theatre of Shopping and The Pencil Club Umhlanga. Shan believes that wellness is all-encompassing - mental, physical and emotional. She believes it is important to keep your life clean of toxicity. Self-care is super important to her. View all posts by Shan Fourie