Spin me round, turn me upside down, shake me up. I am ready for this new year. I am ready for a fresh start. Shift.

I could go on about last year, but you know what? Let’s not. Instead let’s look forward—the beauty I see ahead is worth focusing on with all we’ve got.

I am a starter, I love the beginning of ideas, I love meeting new people and launching new lifelong friendships. And motherhood is one hell of a starting line—it is an adventure, a race, a “nothing will ever be the same” thing.

My two little starts, those spitfire boys, get me going every morning, before I am ready. They hit everyday running, enthusiastic, inspired and full.

I am going to start being more like them.

The theme for January 2014 is START. Upcoming themes are SPORT, BREAK and MOVE. Submit your story via www.mamalode.com. 

About the Author

Elke

Elke Govertsen is a entrepreneur and founder of Mamalode. She has been featured in Real Simple, Forbes, Where Women Create, Ad Tech, and listed as one of Origin Magazine's "Top 100 Creatives." She has been a speaker at The Girls Lounge, Adweek, C2Montreal, HATCH, TEDx and (her favorite) in classrooms. She speaks on a variety of topics from entrepreneurship to overcoming obstacles. She loves consulting in the areas of community design, storytelling and brand building. Her special skills include extreme bootstrapping, overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities. Of the many things she has learned by doing Mamalode, her ability to work with absolute chaos/kids/mess just might be the best. She is learning that slowing down creates more impact.