Olliebop Blog | Inspiration, Ideas and Information for Busy Families | Parenting Teens and Tweens

Hello, Friend! Happy New Year! It’s January 2nd and the kids are back in school. Now, it feels like 2013 can begin. I’m wrapped in a blanket on the couch by the Christmas tree {yes, it’s still up!}, and this moment feels quiet and cozy. See? It’s nice to have this time, because today I have some things to tell you.  

Most important, I want to say “thank you.” Thank you for reading this blog. And to those of you who have written or stopped me in the grocery store to tell me that you like it -- thank you! I have loved getting to know you, through Olliebop.

I also want to acknowledge that my posts were inconsistent this year. You may have noticed that I lost my way, in the blogging sense, in 2012. The reason that I posted less {and Facebooked and Tweeted less} in 2012 is because I felt the need to step away from my computer. It just didn’t feel right. I needed to work on myself and my life in real-time. And that’s because 2012 was a hard year, overall. Some unexpected things happened, and I needed to get through that in my own way. I learned a lot and I grew a lot — but it was not exactly a dreamy year.

I took my extra hard year and I focused on breathing. I spent less time on my computer. I went to the doctor more often and eventually realized that I would be OK. I thought about the people who fill me up and bring out the best in me. I worked really hard on letting go. I thought a lot about the concepts of impermanence and change. I took a mindfulness and yoga class to help with that. I focused on gratitude. I took a college course and wrote my first research paper in 20 years. I tried to judge less. I tried to “fix” things less. I tried to listen and refrain from giving advice. I tried to say “yes” to new opportunities. I tried to give people a break and to remember that everyone is struggling in their own way. And blog or no blog, I tried to see the good. And I felt so thankful for all of it!

Truth be told, sometimes when I’ve posted on my blog I’ve worried that sharing all of the happy and good stuff might make other people feel bad. Because blogs and Facebook can bombard us with the idea that everyone else is doing so fabulously and we are left to struggle. Alone. And I would never want to contribute to that feeling in another person. I hope that reading Olliebop makes you smile and does offer a reminder to see the good in your own life! That’s what it’s supposed to do.

The deeper I go into this phase called “mid-life” {which for me is the time when I finally feel like a real live “grownup”}, the more I realize how important it is that we all know we are not alone in our struggles. We all suffer losses, have insecurities, worry, have difficult conversations, make tough choices, feel sad, and are surprised by things that we never, ever thought would happen.

So why is everything on Olliebop so happy and optimistic? Because things are perfect at my house? Of course not. I started this blog not because things were all roses, but because I wanted to be able to see the positive, amidst the hectic and difficult times. I wrote this on my FAQ on day one of Olliebop, nearly two years ago and it still is true:

“What’s up with all the optimism? Are you always optimistic?
I’m not always optimistic, but my blog is. I’ve become more acutely aware in my 40s of the unexpected and incredibly challenging times that just keep on coming — here at home, and globally. And, I’ve realized that’s just not going to stop. But the hard times can make the good times even sweeter, and I want remind myself to stop and celebrate when I can.

And that’s what I plan to keep doing — celebrating when I can. That still feels like the right thing to do. Connecting with you here still feels like the right thing to do, too. And thus, I’m looking forward to what’s ahead in 2013! So… all of this said, one of my overarching themes for 2013 is to keep this at the forefront of my mind:

 

We really do need to be kind to each other. We don’t do each other any favors when we act like life is perfect – when it’s not. These things called mid-life, marriage and parenting… holy smokes, they are not for the faint of heart. Mid-life is HARD. It’s also ripe with opportunity. People grow together. People grow apart. Things change. Things become more meaningful. We evolve. We learn. Hopefully.

I’d say that the best thing we can do for ourselves in 2013 is to catch ourselves a break and do the same for others. We’re all doing many things well, and we’re all striving to do better.

On the bright side; just a few nights ago I turned 44 {see; I may have had my mid-life crisis last year!}. Our family of four celebrated in Boston, sharing a dinner and an evening out that was one of those nights that seemed to be sprinkled with pixie dust. Everything was delicious. My kids were hilarious. They tried to teach us to do the duck face. They ate weird and different foods. The waitress was so nice. My husband was fun and handsome. We were together and enjoying the moment. It was a wonderful way to end a less-than-wonderful year. And once again, I’d say that it was the challenges behind me that allowed me to recognize the sweetness, right in front of me. I loved every minute of it.

Happy New Year, friends of my blogging life.  Wishing you much love, growth, and an abundance of joy in 2013. No doubt, the New Year won’t be perfect, but it can still be beautiful.

I hope you’ll continue to join me on my re-energized blogging journey. I have some fun changes and plans and I’d love for you to be a part of it. As for 2013, I’m feeling optimistic. Really and truly. Happy New Year!

xo – BOP

Related posts:

1. Happy New Year! Now What?
2. Happy Mother’s Day!
3. A Truth and A Dare
4. Happy Easter, Happy Spring!
5. Happy Dance

Tags: New Year