The time between Christmas and New Year’s is often a time of reflection as we spend time looking back on the year. With a fresh start is on the horizon, it’s always fun to ponder the possibilities of what the next 365 days will bring and set new goals. Some center their year around a single word, others focus on a list of resolutions. But so many times New Year’s resolutions are made and abandoned part way through the year unless you’re a blogger where accountability takes the form of a blog post written long ago.
It was about this time last year where I was issued a challenge by my good friends at Domain.ME to reclaim ME in honor of my blog’s 7th anniversary. In a desire to #CelebrateME, I resolved to be strategic in my work, staying true to myself and choosing endeavors that were worth pouring my heart and soul to get off the work treadmill to spend time with family.
And how did I do? Saying no will always be my Achilles Heel but I made great strides this year, achieving a better work/life balance than I’ve experienced in past years but I’m far from done. Being intentional about time for me and my family will remain a focus as I strive for that always elusive work-life balance but it’s a challenge in our ever-connected world.
Unplug More
Our connected world makes it easy for us to always feel like we need to be working and because I work in a virtual space, it’s common to get texts, emails, and Facebook messages at all hours of the day. This year I was great about using my Out of Office reply, even adding a bit about the importance of unplugging and need for digital detox when on a family vacation this summer!
On a daily basis, I continue to park my phone in its charging station when the kids come home from school so I’m not tempted to pick it up during the hours that we’re together and the Do Not Disturb feature on my phone has become my best friend during the evening hours. I thought I was doing a pretty good job until I’ve seen Emily reaching for her phone at times that make me cringe.
With a relatively new cell phone user in the the house (she’s had her phone since this summer), I know that I could be better. When my husband and I get after her for using her phone at times where it should be parked in our charging closet, we have to look critically at ourselves and our use of our devices to ensure that we’re modeling the kinds of behavior we expect.
Capture Memories but Live in the Moment
Part of the joy of being a Samsung Camera Imagelogger is that I have an arsenal of bodies and lenses at my disposal that make taking photos really fun but sometimes in my chase of the the beautiful light or perfect composition, I forget to live in the moment. Life’s moments don’t just have to be seen from behind the lens. There’s something to be said for immersing myself in the experience with my camera at my side.
If you’re resolving to take better photos this year, read Mashable’s 7 New Year’s resolutions every photographer should make that has great tips for amateurs as well as reminders for pros. Interested in upping your selfie game? My 11 Tips for Taking the Best Selfies can help. Just don’t forget to live in the moment!
I am More Than a Number
The number of steps we take, Facebook likes, and Instagram hearts we receive don’t define us. And they don’t define our kids either.
This important lesson is a difficult one when you work in the world of social media and there is someone always watching your channels. This year I resolve to take photos for me, not for likes. I’ve already put down my fitness wearables in favor of a traditional watch without a GPS, sans heartrate monitor, and no step counter! And Facebook? We all know their algorithm is crazy so let’s all just assume that if we share it, our friends will love it, ok?
But as Emily says, “Likes don’t matter” as she peeks out from behind her phone. Let’s resolve to take and share photos for us and then put down our phones as we #CelebrateME and enjoy living in the moment throughout 2016.
How have you been doing in taking care of ME and what are your plans to make sure your New Year is focused on the best of you? Domain.ME wants you to celebrate the ME that is YOU as you head into 2016. To learn more or purchase a .ME domain that will provide you with the space you need to build your personal brand and create a captivating online persona that’s a direct reflection of you., visit their website.
This post was inspired and sponsored by Domain.ME, the provider of the personal domains that end in .ME. As a company, they aim to promote thought leadership to the tech world. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
