Lose weight. Save money. Travel more.
As my friends pledged their New Year’s resolutions, I contemplated my own. A recent binge of the TV show Scandal brought me to an interesting quote by its lead character, Olivia Pope:
“Moments like this give every woman an opportunity to decide what kind of person she wants to be…we know our worth. We know what we’re capable of…we can hide in the shadows, or we can stand in the light.”
As a mom, it can be difficult to stand in the light. The illusion of being a Pinterest-worthy parent/partner/individual can cause anxiety and stress. We start doubting ourselves and our capability, and we start envying others who seemingly have it together.
So how do you do it? How do you lead like Olivia Pope, parent like Lorelai Gilmore, and overall rock 2020?
Own Your Body
The first part of standing in your truth is to be proud of your body. I’ve been hiding my post-baby midsection with baggy shirts and lots of gray, black, and navy. No matter how many leafy greens I eat or how often I work out, I just can’t get rid of it. This year, I’m owning my body. This is who I am. Your inner confidence will reflect on the outside. So head to the store, buy something bright and fun, and remind yourself that 2020 is a great year for positive body image.
Own Your Big Decisions
Is there a tough decision you had to make for the betterment of yourself or your family, yet are a little afraid of what others may think? Maybe you left your high-paying job to start over with a new career. Maybe you decided to enroll your child in a non-traditional school. Maybe you went back to work full-time, and your husband stayed home with the baby. Be confident that the decisions you made are what you needed to do at the time, even if others find them unconventional. Don’t apologize for trying to do the best thing for your family, and be proud of the courage it takes to make a big decision. Own your truth!
Own Your Parenting Skills
As a parent, you need to make approximately nine billion split-second decisions every day. If you are anything like me, you second-guess yourself for 99% of those decisions. I remember one time at a restaurant, we tried everything we could to entertain our two-year-old. I finally surrendered and let him watch Youtube while waiting for our food. I cried about it later, feeling like a failure. Looking back, I should not have felt so guilty—I should have shrugged it off and told myself, “sometimes these things just happen.” We’ve all been there before. We’ll all be there again. Know that you’re doing the best you can, and cut yourself (and the mom sitting next to you at the play cafe) some slack.
So go. Stand in your light. Own your truth. Know your worth.
