January. I’m stuck in between how to make it feel less like a long Monday and that “new year, new me” garbage. My plan is to have a plan. We’re three weeks in. It’s time to get it together.
Being a “yes man.” I am indeed a female, but the term “yes man” is about saying yes to things you normally wouldn’t. It’s not truth or dare. No one is jumping off the porch into a snow berm in the middle of the night. That was fun in 4th grade, but if I did that now I would bust a hip.
My personal, and probably boring example, includes saying yes to one of those cutesy parties that ladies throw to buy cutesy things. I didn’t know anyone except for the hostess and my friend that invited me. It reminded me how I used to love doing those kinds of things. The hostess made each person feel special and it made me think that’s exactly what I’d like to do!
So to start small I invited my core friends (the ones that have seen me up close without makeup on and choose to still be friends with me) for a Cards Gone Wild party. It sounds profane, because it probably will be. Have you ever hung out with ladies in their mid-30’s? We’re a special breed. We’ll binge on vitamin water and go crazy eating the devil’s ingredients like carbs and Velveeta.
If I said no to my friend’s invitation in the first place, my creative juices would probably have parked it on the couch this weekend. But now I get to be elbow deep in queso dip!
Saying yes rolled me into another area. Trying new things. It’s been a while since I’ve said yes to physically making an effort. That’s my backwards way of saying I’m trying to get healthier. So I sucked it up and went back to taking classes.
Let’s talk about that. I’m not a morning person, but if I’m going to wake up to do Zumba, I’m doing Bollywood hands until my arms are sore. Real talk. My class’ warm up music is Missy Elliot’s “Lose Control.” The cool down is Adele’s, “Hello.” It’s meant to be, because I’m like, hello I’m literally about to lose control. In the morning I am less about, “let’s party, Papi,” and more like, “what episode am I on?” So I get it. Maybe it’s not your thing.
My daughter just started karate for the first time. She loves it. To help prove a point about being a beginner at something new, I started taking yoga classes in the other room. Then after our class we talk about how it made us feel and how trying new things isn’t so bad.
Yoga for me is relaxing, fights being stiff, and is based on patience, something I always need more of. My first impression of yoga is probably similar to yours, so I’ll leave it at that.
No one is asking about your personal record, what you bench, how far you run, your pace, or anything like that. You seek. You chill. You conquer. Keep in mind that any class is different depending on the teacher. If you participate in one and aren’t impressed, don’t write it off. Try another one! I said yes to yoga, because comfort zones are overrated and my kid needs to see a mom that practices what she preaches.
I should clear the air and say I’m less focused on the “new year, new me” attitude and more focused on having a plan to keep moving, because if I don’t… I won’t.
Your plan doesn’t have to include being physically active, truly I’m not that active myself. I’m the lovable kind: I actively do Zumba and actively eat patty melts. It’s a juxtaposition really, I enjoy the benefits of good health, but truly it just keeps my mind busy and helps me not hate myself come summer time.
When my body is motionless due to sickness (or Netflix), January feels extra long. I’ve been trying new recipes, taking coffee dates, asking to work more, trying to help the PTA, and finding new ways to keep my kids engaged until bedtime. Most evenings we play card games, unless we play here’s a string cheese, now go to your room and play the Kindle.
Here’s the thing: We can always use more motivation. Especially in January. This is just my personal example of what has gotten me excited during these icy days. January isn’t so long when you have something to work towards, whether it be health, hobbies, your job, or just a good old fashioned game night with friends. Now is a great time to try something new or different. Say yes! Best wishes!
Kasi McClure enjoys being a wife and mother of two in Kenai. She can be reached at columnkasi@gmail.com.
