August is the New January

There's something about August that makes me want to turn over a new leaf. I've never been big on New Year's resolutions, but I feel a spark each fall that pushes me to set goals and start anew.

It has to tie into my excitement for the start of school every year. A new wardrobe, fresh notebooks (Lisa Frank, perhaps?), a monogrammed backpack full of untouched pencils and pens.... If that doesn't say, "You can be anything you want!" - nothing does.

Each August I would lay out my clothes for the first day, pack and repack my bookbag, pull out my daytimer and excitedly tell myself, "This is the year." For what, you might ask? I never really knew.

Sometimes it was the year of trying to be trendier or more "on top of things" or more outgoing (is that possible?) or less afraid.

Most years, unintentionally, it became the year of being insanely type A. Recording my outfits in my daytimer so I wouldn't repeat ensembles too often. (Those Express and Limited Too patterns were quite recognizable.) Rewriting a page of notes instead of scratching something out. Keeping notebooks so neat it would make the Citadel proud.

It's been more than five years since I packed a bag for class (unless you count yoga or calligraphy), but I feel the same "back to school" buzz in the air, the chance for a new beginning.

Instead of questioning it, I'm putting this instinct to good use. I have a several professional goals and more than a few personal ones.

*This "year" (I can still measure life by school years, right?) I'm going to take better care of myself, drinking enough water to float a small yacht and feeding myself as healthfully as I do Mac (more on this later). In short, I'm going to live like I did when I was pregnant: totally aware of what I'm doing and how it affects my health.

*I'm going to put a purpose behind my haphazard workouts and start recording them in my MomAgenda. Nothing motivates this girl like check marks, gold stars and being able to run farther than last week.

*I'm going to keep a written budget for my spending. (Somewhere, Dave Ramsey is cackling.)

*I'm going to do something that scares me every week. Maybe it'll be attempting a new class at the gym, pitching a project that will stretch my skills or just taking Mac to Sam's to stock up on paper towels. We'll see.

*I'm going to be intentional about reaching out to other people. As delightful as our family of three is, it's crucial that we continue to build relationships with other people who don't share our DNA. B and I take advantage of occasional evenings out on our own, but lately we've enjoyed a little time with friends - and it's been wonderful. I want to make sure this continues to happen. (Who smells a tailgate??)

*I'm going to prioritize my daily activities (especially morning quiet times) to make sure that I'm doing what's most important, not just what's right in front of me.

Most of all, I'm going to work really hard to keep this "new year" level of excitement about all I'm doing.

(Raise your hand if you had one of these!)

It's not going to be as easy as it was when a pink zippered case of sparkly unicorn pencils motivated me, but I know I can do it.