Live Well

I’ve never been one for New Years Resolutions. At least not resolutions in the sense that you normally think of…

“I’m going to lose 20 pounds”
“I’m going to run a marathon”
“I’m going to stop smoking”

That sort of a thing.

I’ve always tended to be slightly less conventional in my “resolves,” and tend more towards implementing a “word of the year,” or a theme, or a series of vision statements, etc.

This year, my resolve is simply this:

To live WELL. To do the things that feel good to the soul.

You’ve got to be careful when you start tossing around the word “soul,” because things can get really corny really fast. I realize this, and will try to keep my usage to a minimum.

Let me give you a few examples of things that occurred recently though, that just felt good for my SOUL. Things that felt like “living well”…the way life should be lived:

  • I went out in the backyard and just PLAYED with my kids. I climbed a tree, people. It’s hard for me, this concept of just BEING with my kids. Playing. Entering into their world. I tend to get distracted thinking of all the things I need to be doing instead. I get bored. I get annoyed. This particular day was no different. I felt all of those emotions throughout our playtime. But as the sun shone, and the breeze blew softly, and all three of my boys were laughing together at one point, I thought to myself, “this is good for the soul. This is right. This is living well.”
  • I began turning down alcohol sometimes, even in situations where drinking alcohol is the thing to do. A girls night. A happy hour. A pool party. Just to be clear, I don’t have any sort of drinking problem, and also, I’ve not made any bold declarations or resolutions regarding giving up alcohol. It just feels good for the soul sometimes…healthy…right…to remind yourself fun can be had without needing a drink. It also feels good to go out, stay out..late even…and still wake up the next morning clear-eyed and clear-headed, ready to enjoy a hot cup of coffee, NOT hungover…because let’s be honest, at 36 years old, all that’s required for a hangover is about 2 drinks. Ordering a Topo Chico with “lime and nothing else” is good for the soul sometimes.
  • Home cooked meals. A kitchen SHOULD smell good, and a family SHOULD gather together at the end of a long day and eat food that is good and hearty and was prepared with love. It just feels right. It’s good for the soul.

I don’t really have any other examples yet. I don’t entirely know how this is going to continue to play out as the year unfolds. I just know that these situations I’ve described awakened in me a recognition that there are things in life that just feel right to the very core, and I want to do more of THOSE things this year, and less of everything else.

It’s a little bit about simplification, maybe? A little bit about slowing down. It’s about doing what’s healthy. It’s about clearing my head and making space. Savoring? I really don’t know.

It’s just about living well and doing the things that feel good to my soul.

I’ve discovered that you really don’t have to overthink this too much, either. You kind of just already know what these things are.

Assuming you are intrigued by this idea of living well and doing things that are good for your soul…a word of caution for you: sometimes the things that are best for the soul…the choices and patterns that will allow you to live well…they aren’t necessarily easy. They may not even be completely enjoyable. They are RIGHT though, and your SOUL will sense it.

Happy New Years, and cheers (even if it’s only with mineral water) to Living Well this year.

Hayley Hengst
Hello AM readers! I'm Hayley. Stay-at-home mom to three boys/angels/tyrants (primarily tyrants). Most days, I am very content in that role. Other days, well, you know how it goes. I absolutely love writing for Austin Moms Blog. I also love: books, bubble baths, Mexican food, porch swings, and traveling. I hate: the hustle and bustle of trying to get out the door, on time, with all three of my kids. Seriously, I just kind of give up. You can read more about my crazy crew at www.motherfreaking.com!

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