As moms, we’ve all felt it—that pressure to make each new year “better” than the last. The endless goals, resolutions, and to-do lists can leave us feeling like we need to have everything figured out on January 1st. But what if, instead of striving for perfection, we focused on celebrating our growth? What if we entered the new year with a sense of peace, gratitude, and intention, rather than the weight of unrealistic expectations?

This year, I’m challenging myself—and you—to let go of the “new year, new me” mindset and embrace a “new year, still me” perspective. Honoring where we’ve been, recognizing how far we’ve come, and giving ourselves grace for the journey ahead.

Why Growth Matters More Than Perfection

The past year wasn’t perfect. Let’s face it—no year ever is. But if you pause and reflect, I’m willing to bet there are moments of growth, big or small, that deserve to be celebrated. Maybe you found new ways to connect with your children. Maybe you learned to say “no” to things that drained you. Maybe you simply made it through a hard season, and that’s a victory in itself.

Perfection often feels unattainable because it is. Growth, on the other hand, is constant and fluid. It doesn’t demand that we have it all together—it simply invites us to take one step forward at a time. As moms, growth is woven into our lives daily, even when we don’t recognize it. Let’s start recognizing it.

Practical Ways to Celebrate Your Growth

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• 1. Reflect on Your Wins

• Take a moment to think back on everything you’ve accomplished this past year—big or small. Maybe it was something huge, like starting a new job, or something that feels smaller, like finding a way to make your mornings less stressful. Both matter. Think about the tough moments you got through. Maybe you handled a challenging season with your kids or stood up for yourself in a way you hadn’t before. Jot these wins down in a notebook or even on sticky notes that you can put somewhere you’ll see them. It’s a great way to remind yourself of how strong and resilient you really are—and that’s motivation to carry with you into the new year.

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• 2. Shift Your Perspective on Resolutions

  • Instead of making resolutions that feel overwhelming, try focusing on intentions that feel doable and kind to yourself. Think of them as gentle goals rather than strict rules. For example, instead of “I need to lose 20 pounds,” try “I want to move my body in ways that feel good.” Instead of “I have to organize my entire house,” think, “I’ll focus on one area at a time to make things less stressful.” When your goals are rooted in what matters most to you, they’ll feel more meaningful—and way less like a chore.

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• 3. Celebrate Progress, Not Outcomes

• There’s so much pressure to start the new year by fixing everything you think is wrong with yourself, but the truth is: you’re not broken. You don’t need to “fix” yourself. Instead, give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. Embrace who you are right now—flaws, messiness, and all. Growth happens when you let yourself be human, make mistakes, and take breaks when you need them. The more grace you give yourself, the more space you’ll have to truly thrive.
  
  

• 4. Create a Family Tradition of Reflection

• Make reflecting on the past year a family affair. Sit down with your kids and share one thing each of you learned, achieved, or are grateful for this year. You can even start a fun tradition, like a “family wins jar” where everyone writes down their wins throughout the year to read together in December. This not only teaches your kids to appreciate their growth, but it’s also a sweet way to bond and celebrate together

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• 5. Give Yourself Grace

• There’s so much pressure to start the new year by fixing everything you think is wrong with yourself, but the truth is: you’re not broken. You don’t need to “fix” yourself. Instead, give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. Embrace who you are right now—flaws, messiness, and all. Growth happens when you let yourself be human, make mistakes, and take breaks when you need them. The more grace you give yourself, the more space you’ll have to truly thrive.

Starting the New Year with Peace

Imagine entering the new year not with the burden of self-improvement but with a deep sense of peace and appreciation for how far you’ve already come. What would that feel like? For me, it feels like freedom—the freedom to show up as my authentic self, to live with intention, and to know that I am enough just as I am.

This doesn’t mean we stop striving for better—it means we strive with grace. We prioritize what truly matters and let go of the rest. We focus on being present in the lives of our families and ourselves, rather than chasing perfection.

A Call to Celebrate Together

We often carry the weight of trying to do it all as moms. But this year, let’s do something different. Let’s celebrate our growth instead of critiquing our shortcomings. Let’s show ourselves and each other the same compassion we so readily show our kids.

I’d love to hear from you—what growth are you celebrating as you step into the new year? Share your reflections in the MomsBeyond community and let’s remind each other that we’re all a work in progress. Because at the end of the day, growth—however small—is something worth celebrating.