It’s the beginning of another New Year. I am not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions. However, there’s one commitment that I believe will help out our society as a whole if we could all just shift our mindset a bit as we head into 2026. I think our world would be much better, and we would all feel less alone, if we just remembered that it’s not always about me.
As a mom, I know you are probably rolling your eyes and thinking, it’s literally NEVER about me. As moms, we are literally always thinking about others, and it’s rare that it is about us. However, I would ask you to continue reading and hear me out because, as a mom, I constantly feel like it’s never about me, yet I find myself thinking everything is a reflection of me.
As a society, we’ve become extremely echo-chambered (is that a word?). What I mean is that we have become immune to the fact that our worldview is constantly reflected back to us through our social media algorithms, the places we live, the news we read, and so much more. We have been told over and over again that if someone makes us feel bad or says something we disagree with, then we should just remove them from our lives. Our scrolls reinforce our worldview and tell us that anything that challenges what we believe to be true cannot be trusted. What if, though, it’s not always about me?
So, what does this look like in practice?
What if this year, when I feel offended by someone’s rude tone or less than gracious behavior towards me, I remind myself, it’s not always about me? Will this allow me to respond with more grace and kindness, which may be what this person needs?
What if this year, when I feel like I am being judged for saying “no” to a volunteer opportunity or for choosing not to do something, I remind myself, it’s not always about me? Will this allow me to recognize that someone is just trying to fill the volunteer spots, or is their response to my decision more of a reflection of their feelings?
What if this year, when I feel like everyone sees me as a failure for not being a good enough mom, teacher, friend, and every other role I so often feel like I am failing at, I stop taking observations as criticism? What if it’s not always about me? Will that soften my heart and independence streak to allow for help and support when offered?
What if this year, when my kids take their stress out on me, I recognize that, while it’s not ok, I am their safe space? Will that allow me to be more tender in my response and provide what they need to work through their emotions? Will I be a better parent if I realize it’s not always about me?
What if this year, when I see information I don’t agree with, I realize it’s not always about me? Will this allow me to come to a conversation with a more willing heart to talk about difficult things? If so, can we then turn the noise around disputes into progress with compromise and respect?
So often, we are told in this modern age that we should be protected from anything that makes us feel uncomfortable or challenged… but what if, this year, we realize it’s not always about me? Will we then be able to respond with more kindness, generosity of spirit, and openness? I don’t know about you, but I am tired of the status quo. I want hope, I want gentleness, and I want a belief that problems can be solved. I hope that 2026 leads us all to think, it’s not always about me– it’s about us, all of us.
