I’m not usually one to be super crazy about New Year’s resolutions. Promises to do this or that cold-turkey starting in January 1 or 2 are just too flashy and fashionable, too likely to be made on a whim, and too easily broken. But that’s not to say I don’t endeavor to make positive changes, personally and in our household.
This January, a few resolutions that I made for our family just happened to coincide with the fresh first page on our new family calendar. Almost three weeks in to the month, I’m reminded that progress isn’t always linear.
Now of course, progress can be linear. Sometimes, I bring out a new book in our homeschool, and the kids love it. We start using it regularly; we all learn more with each passing day and week. Progress is nice and neat, one step at a time
Sometimes, progress feels more stop-and-start. This has happened to our family several times in our homeschooling journey: a child seems to struggle with xyz and just keeps on struggling, for days and weeks and even months, no matter which way I explain it or how much we practice it. Then suddenly, often after we take a break and come back to whatever the thing was, it all magically makes sense.
At other times, progress consists of one step forward and two steps back… or three steps sideways. This was definitely true in regards to the feeding challenges that my youngest daughter had for the first 6 months or so of life. And it is also seeming to be true of my attempts to establish a few new routines in our homeschool and household. Some days I feel like I’ve won, and other days I find myself deep in the struggle of family life… sometimes literally up to my eyebrows in mess, needy children and undone household chores.
The big thing I’ve observed through all of this is that, most of the time, perseverance pays off. Establishing positive change and new habits in area of life takes a combination of time, dedication, and patience. It also requires a little flexibility, creative problem solving, and the ability (and discernment) to smile and move on when it’s just better to walk away and try again tomorrow. Usually, even if there are steps backward or sideways involved, I eventually see net progress. This is what I need to remember on the days when things feel backwards or hopeless.
