Single Parents - Start Enjoying Your Future Now!

New Year’s Eve conjures up images of festive party-goers celebrating the start of another new year. But for many single parents bogged down with too many responsibilities, money worries, and loneliness, the start of a new year can be anything but festive. Single parents are often so focused on our own worries and responsibilities that we are not able to enjoy life and all it has to offer.

Many parents (single or co-parenting) go so far as to postpone their happiness until a future time – “I’ll devote myself to my children now and after they’re grown, it will be my turn.”  Make a New Year’s resolution to stop letting life’s challenges get in the way of your enjoyment of the present and start enjoying your future.

Come to grips with your past relationship. You can’t fully enjoy the present or look forward to a brighter future until you can let go of the past. You may be feeling anger, resentment, pain, etc. Make an effort to put these feelings behind you in 2013. Rather than dwell on the negatives of the past, concentrate on what you learned from the relationship.

Make one important change in your life this year. Take a moment to reflect on your life. List the aspects of your life that you are happy with. Then list those things which you would like to change. Choose one thing and make this a goal for the New Year.

Get a life. Many times we become so overwhelmed with the day-to-day struggles of trying to make ends meet that we lose sight of the exciting experiences life has to offer. Don’t settle for just surviving from day to day. Start looking forward to what the future has in store for you. Be open to new people, places, ideas and experiences. Attend meetings, plays, or any social event where the public gathers. Don’t be afraid to go alone or to take the children with you.

Take charge of your life. Recognize that your happiness depends on your attitude. Everyone has problems. Not allowing these problems to control your life is the key to being a happier person. Make a resolution to face the New Year with a positive outlook.

Take care of you. Eat right, make exercise a regular part of your life, manage your stress, and get enough sleep. Not only will these practices help you feel better about yourself and allow you to enjoy life more, but will also help you cope with those curve balls life sends your way.