Joyful Expectations of 2020

It is the end of the year and, Moms, what a year it has been! We have all seen highs and lows this year – awesome vacations, new friendships, the flu outbreak of 2019, relationship challenges – the list goes on.

We only have a few days until 2020…

It’s time to make New Year resolutions, right? You know, the ones we make every January that we forget by March? The unreasonable ones? Or, the ones we make that include changing someone else? I know all about those; I’ve made them! And, I, too, have not remembered most of them by Spring! So, instead of resolutions, I determined to try something else.

What are my expectations for the New Year?

Instead of coming up with rigid, usually unattainable, commitments that would somehow make me better, I decided to create a list of joyful expectations for the year. Experiences, moments that brought happiness and fulfillment to my life. Life events that improved my faith in humanity and strengthened my connection with those I love. I wasn’t preoccupied with the exact experience or a certain person to help fulfill those expectations. I simply want to live FULLY. Have you ever belly laughed until tears roll down your face? Hugged your partner, your kids, a close friend and feel a surge of awe-inspiring love? Or, close your eyes at the end of a busy day and truly feel at peace? Experiences such as these can’t be manufactured. They are authentic moments that are my joyful expectations for 2020.

So…what do joyful expectations look like for you?

Natalie Bunner
Natalie is a nomadic spirit who loves to travel but has always called Louisiana home. Born and raised in Lafayette, she grew up with five brothers and so she feels that being a #boymom was destiny. Marriage and babies were a late blessing as she became a wife and mother in her mid-thirties but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Life with her husband, Wayne, and two sons, Edison and Oliver, is always full of laughter; there’s never a dull moment with those three! Natalie is a Licensed Social Worker and currently works with children in the charter school system. Providing support for children in need is her life’s purpose. In her mind, social work and motherhood go hand in hand. Creating an environment where kids feel safe, loved and valued as individuals go a long way to building well-adjusted adults. Natalie explores social work and motherhood both here at Lafayette Mom and on her site Connect. Learn. Grow. at nataliebunner.com.