Have you made your New Year plans yet?

As parents, as working women, we often live under a quiet pressure to keep adding more.

Be better.
Do more.
Care more.
Stay productive.

But this year, I want to try something different.

Not a life of adding, but a life of gently subtracting. Because when life feels lighter, our hearts, our bodies, and even our relationships can breathe again.

1. Subtracting Alcohol

At the end of a long day, a drink can feel like comfort.But at some point, I noticed something.That comfort was not truly restoring me. It was showing up as next day fatigue.

So this year, instead of quitting completely, I am simply choosing to skip it on the days I do not truly need it.

A little less today, for a better tomorrow.

2. Subtracting One Thing From the Daily To Do List

Do well at work. Raise our children well. Keep the home in order. Serve healthy meals. Take care of ourselves too.

When you say it out loud, it sounds like far too many roles for one person.

So this year, I am letting go of the mindset of “I should do it all.”

Some days, instant food is fine. Some days, a simple meal is enough. Some days, good enough is truly good enough.

The moment we subtract perfection, we create space to breathe.

3. Subtracting “I will reply later”

I will call later. I will text later. I will reply when things calm down.

We delay important connections more often than we realize. But parenting has taught me this. Relationships are not built on someday. They are built on now.

So this year, if I can answer the call, I will. If I can send the message, I will. Even short words, when they are timely and sincere, can hold so much love.

Perfect words matter less than showing up at the right moment.

It does not have to be big. One small thing is enough. And in the space you create, I hope your everyday life with your child can rest a little more gently.

Wishing your week feels a little less heavy, and a little more kind.

With warmth, 🫶