It’s that time of year again… You know that time of year when all my great ideas, big changes and dream goals swirl in my brain a little too long and take ownership of the part of my head that speaks to my heart. It’s that time of year when the doubts and failures experienced in 2015 suddenly become my greatest focus in 2016. When I take my life by my reins and plan ahead to something bigger, something different, something new, something to accomplish that is big and bold and great.

It’s New Year’s Resolution time around here. And yes, just as in years past, I have some seriously lofty goals and dreams. I have some pie in the sky ideas. I have some “there’s no time like the present” thoughts swirling. And just as in years past, I plan to make my resolutions a great big to-do.

This year, unlike years past, I am not dreaming of braces, nor am I swooning over a dream home. This year I am not claiming that I will work out every single day nor am I planning to completely overhaul my diet and eat only clean meals and nutritious food. This year I am not promising that I will never ever ever yell at Doodle again and I will not commit to never scolding the teenagers again. Nope. Not gonna happen.

This year I am going to be realistic. I am going to be forgiving and realize that every resolution, dream and goal is a work in progress. This year my resolutions are simple and focused. And I am allowing my dreams and goals to remain big and bold.

This year’s resolution is: balance and simplicity.

That is it. That is all I am focusing on this year. I am focusing on creating balance in my life and simplicity within all that I do. It is really that simple. This year I am going to create a world for myself that allows for big, bold, wild and crazy, while also leaving room for tiny, calm, quiet and introspective. This year I am going to worry about eating fruits and veggies while still enjoying cookies and wine. This year I am going to worry about working out, chasing my crazy dreams and accomplishing my wild goals while also reading books, taking naps and allowing for lazy days full of nothing. This year I am ready to simplify my life. Focus on that which matters, toss that which doesn’t. Take life a bit more easily. Slow down, stay grounded, thrive in gratitude and roll with life’s punches a bit more fluidly.

And as for those big, bold, wild and crazy goals I’ve created, well, they are all a part of my master plan. My master plan has been developed and 2016 has been shaped. I am ready to focus on small weekly goals that pave monthly accomplishments and build the foundation for those big grizzly beautiful dreams that will create my wonderful life.

Here’s to a beautifully balanced and simple 2016 filled with dreams and goals aplenty.