It’s a new year. School’s back in, my husband and I are back at work and this is the week that all of the new routines start that will set the tone for 2015.

From what I’ve seen on social media, people seem to be up and down about setting resolutions. Some people do it, some people don’t. Others are totally against it and many people don’t care either way. Personally, I really like to think about the new year and to set goals to help guide my focus for the year.

For 2015 my goal is to think about what I need to get from each day and make sure it happens.

I think in some ways I’ve been a little lost since we had our first beautiful baby eight years ago. So much of what I’ve been doing since 2006 involves taking care of other people that somewhere along the way I think I lost the ability to prioritize the things that are good for me (like my health). I’m not complaining, though. I believe my focus has been where it needed to be in these early years of parenting. I guess what I find exciting (and scary and shocking) is that we seem to be through the early years. The kids are more independent and it suddenly feels like the window of time is opening up a crack and giving me some space to climb back in.

Is it just me or does four seem kind of like the magic number? When your youngest hits the age of four, you’re required a little less for day to day tasks. You don’t have to put snow pants on. You don’t have to wipe bums anymore. They can get a drink of water or a snack from the cupboard. Most importantly though, the kids can amuse themselves around the house if there are things you need to get done. This became clear to me over the holidays when I was home alone for an afternoon with my son, who turns four in three weeks. I spent the afternoon going through my drawers and closet while he played around me. He’d make Lego inventions and come show them to me. He hung out on my bed for a while and talked to me as I folded things. He played Rescue Bots on the floor in the hallway. We were together, and talking, but doing our own things and he didn’t ‘need’ me for anything.

I also found myself home alone with our girls this past Saturday. I am determined to get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise in a day and was trying to figure out how I was going to accomplish it with the kids. It suddenly dawned on me that they were now old enough, with enough stamina, to just exercise with me. I asked them if they wanted to go for a walk and they were both game. We bundled up and ended up walking around the neighborhood for an hour – covering a little more than 3km. Best of all – it was fun. We were guessing the steps it would take to get to certain landmarks and silly dancing down the sidewalk. Not a high intensity workout by any means but I felt successful because I was able to accomplish something that was important to me that day.

I’m excited about 2015. I’m excited to be able to creatively find the time I need to focus on some things that are important to me. I’m excited for the kids to see an even happier and more energetic Mom. I’m excited to wake up each day and think of something that I need to accomplish for myself (and make it happen). Happy Mom equals happy family equals happy new year.

Deanna is a Mom of three, wife, marketer and blogger – lover of travel, morning coffee, family time, belly laughs, good friends and uninterrupted showers! Follow her on twitter @DeannaCMiller