New School Year Resolutions

Life seems to be going at full speed these days. Lately Mike and I have been feeling imprisoned by our busy lives.


Mike has 16 credits and is working 25 hours a week and teaching 5-6 guitar students. I'm teaching my 2 dual immersion classes, a night class for adults, and am serving as a counselor in the young womens. I'm also taking over the Dual Immersion Association this November, so I'm preparing for that and training our new Dual Immersion teacher. There is honestly not even a moment to relax and breath these days. Fortunately for me, this is how I choose to live my live. I usually thrive under the pressure and I love the fast paced lifestyle. But as I grow older, I have more of a desire to slow down every once in a while and enjoy the simple things in life. I'm struggling more than usual, and I believe it's because my husband is now even busier than I am. We don't have any quality time together these days and definitely no time for ourselves. I can handle being stressed, but I hate seeing my husband under so much pressure. I've done some reflecting this weekend and identified some small, simple things I can do to bring me joy and keep me sane in my insane world. These are my New School Year Resolutions:

• Paint my nails every weekend
• Go on a walk around my neighborhood, at least once a week
• Attend a weekly dance class
• Write a poem or journal entry at least once a month
• Write an entry in my blog at least once a month
• Participate in a service project or activity at least once a month
• Start reading a book and keep it with me so I can read whenever I get a chance
• Read scriptures every day
• Weekly date with my husband (even if it's just watching a movie on the couch while he does homework)
• Monthly "Special" date with husband (example: dinner and a movie, dinner and dancing)
• Learn to say "NO" to the 'extras'
• Work on some geneology...maybe :)
• Attend the temple at least once a month
• Go out with friends for an afternoon or evening at least once a month, or every two months

A lot of these things I have already begun, some are continuing habits, and others are new goals. However, I look at this list and think, "There's no way I have time for ME and all of these things! Some of these things just aren't that important" But I'm realizing that if I don't take the time for me (and my marriage) to make me whole and happy, I'm not going to be strong for others that need me. These are all simple things, but they make me happy! And they remind me who I am... not just a wife... not just an educator... not just a young women leader...not just a daughter/sister/in-law, etc........ME--- Tristin Taylor West.