Happy New Year!
First of all, we made it. Second of all, I cant believe it is finally 2021! I feel like the entire year of 2020 was one big gigantic countdown to 2021.
This year one of my intentions is to enjoy the different seasons of life that we are thrown into. The ongoing pandemic has really made me realize what truly is important and the moments that truly matter most don’t have to be these huge orchestrated events. They can just be everyday things we do that are special in their own way.
We spent most of 2020 sheltering in place and adjusting to a new way of living and reflecting back now, I see that I was mostly on survival mode. There was so many changes happening on the daily that I don’t think I gave myself the permission to just sit still and take it all in.
My goal for 2021 is to be still. Be more in the moment. Spend time with my kids. Like really spend time with them, free from distractions….turn off the news on the TV, put my phone in another room, and just be. We are so used to hustling everyday and there’s this notion that if we’re not doing something, we are being lazy or unproductive. But as I think about that now …so what!? So what if one day we literally do nothing. What if, one day, all we do is watch movies with our kids and stay in our pj’s and let the house get messy? (I feel my anxiety rising as I type that!). If you’re a type A personality like me, you have a strong desire to have control….of any situation.
But if 2020 taught me one thing, its that we do not have control over A LOT of things in life and we might as well cherish the things we do have control over. One of those things is creating memories with our families and choosing what to do with the time we are given, which if you think about it, time truly is the gift.
So, as we embark on a new year, despite what our political climate looks like, what the pandemic has in store for us, what the future holds, all we have is today….right now….this moment. It is up to us what we do with that time.
This year I have made the intention of spending more time outdoors in nature with my kids, doing fun activities that get our bodies moving, breathing in fresh air and making memories together despite how chaotic the world outside of our little bubble may be.
Here are some ideas for activities you can do safely with your families as well….
10 Safe Family Activities
Go on a Picnic. There are so many parks in the Bay Area and while the picnic tables are mostly out of service right now, just grab a blanket and have a good old fashioned picnic. Pack your own food or grab take-out from a local restaurant.
Go on a family bike ride. Just make sure you pick a trail and avoid busy roads when with the kiddos.
Go hiking. Invest in some good shoes and download the All Trails app on your phone. There are literally so many trails in our own backyard. Being out in nature is so therapeutic!
Have a movie night! We have a movie night at least once a week at our house. We get in our PJ’s, take turns picking the movie, pop some popcorn and just relax. Our favorite movie lately is Soul on Disney+.
Have a family game night. There is only 1 rule….NO ELECTRONICS! Bust out some board games and snacks and try not to get too competitive. haha! Lately we have been really into Jenga!
Get takeout. At our house, we try to support a local restaurant once a week. They are taking such a huge hit right now and we want them around when life gets back to normal again so if you are able, try and show your support while taking a break from cooking.
Bake together. We have baked so much this year and the kids love to partake in the bread making process. Find an easy recipe that you can do with the kids and they may find a new appreciation for it.
Check out a new park. I love driving to different neighborhoods and checking out different parks. We are so lucky to have so many parks to choose from in the Bay Area. I will write a post one day listing all my favorite parks to go to with the kids.
Take up a new sport. We bought tennis rackets and frisbees and have been showing the kids how to play. It’s fun watching them learn a new sport while getting them away from the computers and electronics.
Head to the beach. One of my favorite things to do in life is stare at the ocean and breathe in the fresh air. It requires some planning, packing, and driving but a day or even just a few hours at the beach is like therapy for all of us.
What are some things you are doing with your family to keep sane during this time? Let me know in the comments below!
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