Happy New Year, mama! Have you made your resolutions for 2025?

Every year, we are expected to create new goals to start our next journey on January 1st. It’s a good practice, but we often go about goal-setting incorrectly. Instead of focusing on building good habits, we focus solely on the outcome (e.g., “Lose 5 pounds” vs. “Walk 30 minutes every day, 5 days per week”).

So, this year, I’d like to introduce you (or re-introduce you) to the concept of SMART goals.

What exactly are SMART Goals?

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Essentially, you need to be clear about your goals and provide something you can actually track and reach within a reasonable timeframe.

For example, an outcome-based goal would be “Read 12 books this year,” whereas a SMART goal would specify “Read for 20 minutes every night before bed.”

So, how does this relate to our New Year’s resolutions? Whether you are focused on health, home, faith, or your family, your resolutions should be formatted to ensure you can maintain them. We need to be SMART to build good habits.

SMART Resolutions for Moms

I’ve created a list of SMART resolutions to give you a jump-start on your goal-setting for 2025. You may have created your resolutions already, which is great! Now, you can utilize the SMART method to reframe your goals to increase the likelihood they become lasting habits.

Remember that this list is not designed for you to do everything exactly as I wrote it. Adapt the goals to your life, time, and attainability. Be realistic about what you can achieve.

Health & Exercise Resolutions

• Walk 30–45 minutes, 5 days per week.
• Practice Yoga for 10–15 minutes before bed, 4–6 days per week
• Strength Training or HIIT workout 2–3 days per week
• Ride bikes with the kids every Saturday for 30–45 minutes (weather permitting)
• Walk to the grocery store twice per week
• Cook from scratch, 2–3 meals per day
• No junk food or soda
• Prepare menu and meals for the week every Sunday or Monday, chop veggies for snacks ahead of time

Family Resolutions

• Have Mom/Daughter dates 1–2 times per month (give list of ideas, she chooses)
• Have Mom/Son dates 1–2 times per month (give list of ideas, he chooses)
• Date Night with spouse once per month (can be budget-friendly)
• Read one chapter together every night at bedtime
• Eat dinner as a family 4–7 nights per week
• Have a Family Fun Night once per month

Technology Resolutions

• Limit phone/screen time to 2 hours per day: abide by time limits
• Turn off phone at least 1 hour before bed
• Limit phone usage when kids are around: put phone away or close laptop when kids come in the room, begin to interact with you and ask questions, and during all meals.
• Decrease time on social media (delete or deactivate if possible): limit to 10 minutes per day with no aimless scrolling.
• Limit TV time to 1 hour per day for all family members (Bonus: limit to one day per week)

Faith Resolutions

• Read the scriptures daily: Read/Study at least one chapter every morning before breakfast
• Pray nightly
• Study the scriptures with your spouse (at least one chapter per night)
• Meditate for 10 minutes per day

Mom Life Resolutions

• Practice patience with the kids/Yell less: Take a deliberate moment to breathe when temper starts to rise, count to 10, walk away/take a break, and revisit the chaos when calm.
• Set aside 30 minutes to 1 hour daily for Me Time
• Develop a cleaning routine and stick to it! (Bathrooms on Monday, Laundry on Wednesday, etc.)
• Fold and put away laundry as soon as it comes out of the dryer
• Make Mom friends! Join a book club, Mom & Me exercise class, or church group, and be intentional about socializing with other moms. Ask a new mom out for coffee once every month.
• Learn a new skill: Take a cooking class, learn to knit/crochet/sew, play piano, etc. Dedicate 30 minutes to 1 hour to honing this skill daily/weekly.
• Get at least 7 hours of sleep per night (get in bed by 9:30–10:00PM).

Sum It Up

New Year’s resolutions can be fun and exciting, but they’re even better when done the SMART way. Good luck this year! I hope you reach your goals.