2016 – Keeping It Simple

January 1, 2016

Crosby Dec (4 of 5)

Every year around this time I write a post about the year ahead; what my hopes are for it and how I feel as I look toward it. I stopped making resolutions several years ago now but I still like to have a plan for the year, more of a mantra I suppose than a plan. Last year I wrote this about making my expectations match our situation so I could enjoy what I actually had rather than worrying about what others had. I felt like it was the beginning of something new for our family and it really was; the year before I had wrote about trying to embrace challenges rather than worrying about what could go wrong. That first year with the twins was tough but we were positive and at the time I think we did ok. It is only now, seeing what we can do as the boys are that bit older, that I can see how limiting it was. There is such a great difference between that first year and this last one, we really were able to get out more, to give the boys a little more freedom and on the brink of this new year I can see even more possibility.

It’s been a good year but I can’t help feeling like I over-complicate things by trying to do it all and not really doing anything as well as I could. For me, 2016 will be about slowing down, taking in more of the little things and appreciating them. I want to enjoy my hobbies and take time for myself. I need to be more organised, that is a must! Most importantly I just want us to spend time together, to say yes and go on an adventure just because.

With that in mind I think of all the things I want to do with the boys. That doesn’t mean making life anymore complicated. If anything I want to make it simple and to focus more on what makes us happy. There are places we go to again and again just because they make us happy, we don’t do that enough. Me and my husband aren’t spontaneous people but we are getting better, it gets easier all the time to just go out and do something. We have our packing down to one little kiddy rucksack and maybe a picnic and that is it, we are out the front door.

My fondest and most clear memories from 2015 are the ones outdoors, when the boys could just run and have fun. Lucas never stops asking to go the the ‘beachside’ so we did just that on the last day of 2015. We drove to one of our favourite spots, Crosby beach. It was absolutely freezing , far colder than we thought so we took a very brief stroll on the sands before retreating to the car to eat our picnic. The boys’ noses turned red and they were fighting against the wind yet they ran and laughed, they were so cold but happily sat in the car and watched the waves come in and cover the iron men. I still forget how much children love the simple things in life – these couple of hours out the house didn’t cost us a penny yet we made memories I’ll never forget. It was far from perfect, it really was too cold to be out for longer than a few minutes and still it made us all happy. Children have an amazing way of cutting through all the rubbish in your head and forcing you to slow down. I am always thankful for my family but never more so at moments like this.

It is something I hope we can do even more of this year, I want us to see new things but I also want us to keep it simple. The photo at the top of this post will help me on my way; my three beautiful boys delight in running on a beach in December, they are my reminder to see the joy in the ordinary.

Happy New Year

Crosby Dec (1 of 5)

Crosby Dec (3 of 5)

Crosby Dec (2 of 5)

Crosby Dec (5 of 5)

 

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11 Comments

  • Kerry - Noah & the Girls

    Lovely post! I totally agree, simple is good. I too need to be more organised! I think that’s more than half my problem xxx happy new year

    January 1, 2016 at 9:06 pm Reply
  • Vicki

    Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! I agree keeping it simple is always the way forward. I love going back to places we love. That feeling of a familiar place is calming and romantic. I try to be spontaneous but often the safety of familiarity wins out.

    January 1, 2016 at 9:13 pm Reply
  • Karen

    Really like that as a plan for this year. Love Crosby too. Had been hoping to go tomorrow but it looks like it may rain ALL day x

    January 1, 2016 at 9:15 pm Reply
  • Jenna

    Such a lovely post, Hayley. I have noticed that ‘simplicity’ seems to be a reoccurring theme in regards to what people what for this year. I’m guilty of over-complicating things myself so I can relate to what you’re saying.

    With Jasmine, we are just on that cusp of that elusive ‘things getting easier’ stage. We don’t need to haul the buggy with us everywhere we go now and our ‘stuff’ is also reduced down to a small bag. That said, tantrums are rife at the moment and that makes things a bit difficult when we are out and about. xx

    January 1, 2016 at 10:19 pm Reply
  • Kelly | To Become Mum

    Lovely post and a great sentiment that I think we could all do with bearing in mind. I’m sharing some thoughts tomorrow and again on Monday on my own mantra for 2016 and I’m taking inspiration from you too 🙂

    January 1, 2016 at 10:25 pm Reply
  • Natalie

    Lovely post which made me feel a little emotional. We love nothing better than running round on the beach or a field on a winters day all wrapped up warm. It’s the little things isn’t it. Happy New Year Hayley x

    January 2, 2016 at 5:58 pm Reply
  • Esther @ Inside Out & About

    So lovely Hayley! Simplicity should never, ever be underrated. It is so important and it is something I think about a lot. Getting out, running, walking, talking and being together is just beautiful xx

    January 2, 2016 at 9:29 pm Reply
  • Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely

    Happy New Year, Hayley!!! I completely understand what you’re saying. Sometimes, with the little ones, even the most simplest of plans and outings can become a massive ordeal and you start to question whether it’s worth spending hours getting ready and getting somewhere for thirty minutes of fun. But, it’s the thirty minutes of fun that you’ll remember in the future and not the endless packing of drinks, snacks, coats and gloves. M turns three this week and I’ve noticed recently that things are getting a bit easier so hopefully, you’ll feel that soon, too xxx

    January 3, 2016 at 2:10 pm Reply
  • Not A Frumpy Mum

    What a lovely post, and I love the picture of all your boys running on the beach. I can’t wait for O to have a little brother and playmate to run with. xx

    January 3, 2016 at 8:24 pm Reply
  • Natalie @ Little Jam Pot Life Blog

    Keeping it simple here too, or at least i’ll give it my best shot. I feel as much as I love to get stuff done, having time when its less cluttered in your mind as well, trying to keep up I feel a lot better and so does our family. Happy New Year xx

    January 4, 2016 at 2:15 pm Reply
  • Katy

    I have actually written a post for tomorrow about the fact I am going to write less- all for the same reasons as you say here. I took on too much last year and having time off over Christmas really made me see how much I needed to step back. I hope 2016 is a happy one for you hun x

    January 4, 2016 at 8:11 pm Reply
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