Like most everyone, I am embracing the new year as an opportunity to start fresh with my goals and commitments. I don’t usually make New Years’ Resolutions, as they seem pretty much destined to fail. But the beginning of a new year holds a special kind of magic, doesn’t it? It’s like the slate is wiped clean, and whatever failures you’ve made over the past year can no longer hinder you. You get to start fresh and set the course for your destiny — or at least your attitude. Which is pretty much the same thing, right?

So with the start of this new year, I am making some commitments to myself and to my family. I am purposefully keeping them general so that I don’t feel like a failure the first day I miss a workout session, but these are the overall areas of my life I want to focus on this year. Won’t you join me?

1. Me Time

I am going to schedule Me Time into my weekly schedule. I keep a Mom Agenda planner on my desk at all times. I write in lunch dates and kids’ lessons and doctors’ appointments and when my writing assignments are due. Well, starting in 2012, I am writing in Me Time.

Me Time looks different for everyone. I like nothing more than to snuggle up on the couch with my Kindle and get lost in a story of adventure and intrigue. I’ve also started making time to go to the gym and work out. It is SO hard to take the time to do this. I feel like I have so many things I should be doing instead. But I have discovered the benefits of exercise and now I can’t live without it. I write it on my calendar and force myself to go when the time rolls around.

Maybe for you Me Time is taking a bubble bath, playing the piano, painting a picture or designing jewelry. Whatever it is, schedule it. And then make yourself stop whatever else you’re doing and take a little time to enjoy yourself. Trust me on this one!

2. Family First

No, this is not contradicting #1. Me Time is important. But family comes first. For me, I tend to get caught up in work to the exclusion of all else. It helps that I love my job. And what’s more, I work from home. Which means, sometimes I feel like I’m working constantly. I am going to try to focus on scheduling work hours and walking away when the time is up. My kids will only be young once, and they need a mother who is present with them when they’re at home.

What distracts you from your family? How will you commit to putting your family first this year?

3. Hydration

I am so bad at this one. I wake up in the morning and drink coffee (lots of it), I have water with lunch and wine with dinner. I do not get enough water, and I am committing to staying hydrated and keeping water with me at all times. It is so important to overall health and well-being, and I do not take it seriously enough.

4. Skincare

Let’s face it. None of us are getting any younger, and a consistent skincare regimen is key to keeping your skin radiant and healthy. Since writing for Therapon, I have become diligent about using their Theraderm skincare program every night. I’ve always washed my face — I’m not one to go to bed without taking off my makeup. But I never really stuck to a thorough skincare regimen until just a few months ago. I know, I’ve been writing for Therapon for well over a year, now, and I only just recently started using their program diligently. Which is pathetic. (But I am lazy.)

With the onset of cold weather this winter, I started using the entire Theraderm Skin System (the cleanser, fruit acid exfoliant, reparative gel, and moisturizer. oh, and the eye cream!) I am experiencing less dryness and redness than I typically do this time of year, and my skin feels soft and supple. I LOVE IT.

5. Just. Say. No.

I know it’s cliche, but this year I am going to learn how to say no because I can’t do it all. And no one can. If you see someone who you think is doing it all, they aren’t. I swear it. And you know what else? Balance is a myth. There is no such thing.

I recently saw a quote on Twitter, and if I could remember the source, I would cite it. It went something like this: “There is no such thing as not enough time. Just choices.”

Okay, that’s not exactly it. But you get the drift. We all have the same amount of time in a day. We all make choices. You just have to choose wisely what you will say yes to. And saying yes to something means saying no to something else. (Another cliche for you this morning! I’m full of them, aren’t I?!)

I am hereby committing myself to making more critical choices. I cannot possibly say “yes” to every opportunity that crosses my desk. And neither can you. No matter who you are or what you do — whether you work at home, work outside the home, stay at home full-time, home school or ride race horses — you have to make choices.

I urge you to choose wisely.

So tell me. What commitments are you making to yourself and your family this new year?