Having it “All” in 2018 and Goals to Get There
Goodbye 2017, hello 2018…four days late. Story of my life since having children. I’m not a huge resolution person, but I do believe in setting goals. And I nerd out over lists and organization. At 31, a new year and a new planner has the same effect that back-to-school shopping had on me. Total bliss.
So, in case you’re interested on where I’m headed personally + professionally. Pour a glass of wine and take a read.
Life has moved fast in the four years since we got hitched on a plantation in South Carolina. We’ve had two babies, moved three times and worked through a handful of job changes between the two of us. A new baby isn’t in the works for 2018 – let’s revisit that in 2019 – we’re just now starting to sleep through the night again. And unless we inherit a solid amount of cash and buy a farm, we aren’t moving.
But these girls are growing fast. Too fast. And this world around us is keeping pace – which means I’m missing moments with them I can’t get back. Santa brought Bauer a hot pink balance beam for Christmas. I see it sprawled out in our foyer and watch her uncoordinated feet tip toe across it and can’t help but think: that’s my life. A constant balancing act, one where I feel uncoordinated and clumsy.
I have personal goals. I have professional goals. And they trigger the age-old question: Can a mom really have it all?
My answer: Yes. But only if we re-define what having it “all” means. And this definition is going to be different for every.single.mother.
To have it all (as defined by Meghan Basinger): love my husband, love our babies + do so knowing God loves us. Encourage my husband, believe in myself. Write. Create. Try new things. Kiss my children before crawling into bed, because I want to – not because I snapped at them 5 billion times that day and feel guilty. Do all of this – with minimal mental breakdowns.
And now, goals to get there:
Goal #1: Put my phone away.
Like not just down on the kitchen counter, because it’s just a natural habit to pick it up when it’s in sight. Sad, but true. I’m committed to keeping my phone in my office. I left my corporate job at Home Depot (which included crisis communications, aka. checking email in your sleep) three years ago now. There’s no reason I need to be accessible by email 24/7. Surely an email with a design question or an Instagram message about what lipstick I’m wearing can wait. Get a grip, Meghan. YOU AREN’T THAT IMPORTANT.
Goal #2: Let go and let God.
Ya’ll get it. I’m OCD + high strung. This isn’t a secret. We’ll host a dinner party and I’ll miss out on conversation because I’m wiping down countertops. If everyone has an addiction – this is mine. I don’t want to miss the fun. 2017 had some challenging moments. A medical diagnosis that took us off guard. A hospital visit that rocked our world. Big moments. Moments that actually matter. Things that don’t matter: my 3-year-old mixing Play-Doh colors.
Goal #3: Just say no.
Always to drugs. Sometimes to alcohol. But mostly to taking on too much. At any given time in 2017 I was juggling three part-time jobs, a freelance writing assignment, this blog…and oh, my children. It was too much – it broke me. Several times a week.
I’ve cut back in some areas to focus on what I’m truly passionate about. So here are my professional hopes:
1. Design
2. Write
Mama Said is becoming meghanbasinger.com in 2018. Because I’m more than motherhood. And I want this community to grow with me.
Goal #4: Be authentic.
Feel free to knock me off my high-horse if you disagree, but I think I’ve done this pretty damn well so far, and my goal is to continue. I have a really great life. A hot husband and cute kids. We live in a pretty house. I’m very well aware that “we have it good.” And I’m grateful.
But we still fight. Our girls throw temper tantrums. I go grocery shopping, braless, in clothes I wore yesterday. I like showing the “ugly” because I wouldn’t expect anyone to connect with me otherwise. Because the “ugly” creeps into each and every one of our lives – in some seasons more than others.
Has my Instagram following skyrocketed? Are we cashing in one hashtag at a time? Hell to the no. Maybe I would be if I only showed the perfect – but if it’s one thing the world needs less of it’s a #blessed robot.
Goal #5: Swear less.
SIKE. Ok, I’m kind of serious. Bauer is repeating everything. But I’m kind of curious about how certain expletives will sound with a lisp. I’M KIDDING.
That’s all, folks. Mainly because I keep hearing that long-form blogs are dying (“Instagram Killed My Blog” sung to “Video Killed the Radio Star”). So I need to keep this short + sweet.
I hope you’ll stick with me in this new year…stay tuned for meghanbasinger.com to launch and keep me in line on Instagram.
Posts I’m most proud of from 2017:
I Became a Germaphobe Overnight – reflecting on what I crowned, the worst day of my life.
Raising Girls in the Selfie Age – because seeing a 10-year-old duck face makes me die inside.
Motherhood: Otherwise Known As a Constant State of Anxiety – sharing my heart here was major progress from balling my eyes out alone in a corner.
The 1 to 2 Transition Will Make You Cry for Your Mother – sorry, but it’s true.
How My Mothering Contributes to the Downfall of Society – because I published this knowing there’d be some haters.
Memories captured by Brooke Whitney Photography.