Like I do this time of year every year, I've stocked on up stationery that I think might help me get my head around it all. I've got my family calendar with columns for us all, weeks marked out, months planned ahead. I've got a similar A5 diary that allows me to expand on all that, with tear out shopping lists, lines for expenses, spots for writing down what meals we plan to eat.
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I do it every year. I love the act of putting pen to paper. To looking back through a year at all the appointments, the dates (the kids' not mine, obviously), the things we did, what we ate, where we went.
Or look back at about the first five weeks of the year if we're honest because that's about when all the things you need to get your head around start to do your head in.
But this year will be different, I've promised myself that. I will be organised, keep track of things, run my little family with precision, so precise the kids don't even notice what I'm doing.
No they'll just be glad their mother has dinner on the table, is all over what assignments they have due, knows what time their sporting events are on, and never runs out of milk.
That's the plan anyway. I will not resort to just putting reminders in my phone - although if anyone has suggestions for an app that will do all this let me know. There's something quite satisfying about being organised enough to write things down.
And that will make me happy … which leads me to the next bit of stationery I splurged on this year. A Happiness Journal. 2017 will be a happy year. And there's only one person who can make sure that happens and that is me.
For a few years now I've had a quote pinned up on the wall: I am in charge of how I feel and today I choose happiness.
You can choose happiness even at your lowest, I truly believe that. Sure life can make you feel pretty miserable at times, but there's always something to make you smile. Your kids' laughter, the feel of water on your skin, the sand between your toes. Hope.
So my happiness journal is going to be filled with these things.
In my anally retentive way I like that it's broken down month by month. Pick an objective for every month and focus on that. Let's not try to overachieve.
There's a bit to be done before I finish with January. Or even get started on January. I'm thinking about what makes me happy, what makes me unhappy, thinking of my regrets, and rating myself on a scale of 1-10 for things like I sleep well (3), I feel part of a community (8), I love where I live (9.5).
I also have to start thinking about my dreams and passions, my relationships, health, career, and my physical surrounding, what I love about them, what would I like to change. What about community involvement, making time for me, trying new things.
Another thing it asks you to do is write a reverse bucket list. Not the things you want to achieve or experience before you die, but a list of all the wonderful things you've already done. What a super idea. Do it right now.
Fallen in love, given birth to the two most delightful funny children, travelled the world, grown up in the best country in the world, walked along beaches, thrown snowballs, found a job that I love, made great friends, lost great friends, lost great loves, had a dog lick my toes, eaten food I have grown myself, lived through the 1980s, still living now and happy and hopeful about whatever it is that this life throws up at me. There's so much more. Write your own. Reflect on all the fabulous things you've already done. If there's nothing else you do all year, do this.
This year I won't be stationary. And my stationery will help me with that goal.
And now I just have to find a pen.
