How I love the start of a new year. It brings closure to the highs and lows of the year past, and offers so much promise and perspective for the year ahead. I’ve never been much of a resolution maker. I know how hard it is to keep some of those promises for better eating and hope for an ever falling number on the scale. I’m much better at pinning down a word for the year. These words help hone my intentions to help create structure and purpose. One year my word was INTENTION, another year the word was FOCUS. One year I used the phrase EXCUSES, EXCUSES. Two years ago my word was GROW (that was the year I started my degree program) and last year my word was YES which served as a reminder to fully embrace opportunities and challenge. I said “yes” to so many things and it was a great year.
After much deliberation and thought, I decided my word this year will be COURAGE. As I grow my business and move forward into the new decade, I need to let go of fear and embrace the unknown future. There are so many Bible verses which point believers toward courage, it was hard for me to pick just one. I have to turn back to Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
So what does this mean for you? Aren’t you here for a little decluttering encouragement? My encouragement on this first day of the decluttering challenge is to ask you to clarify your reason for decluttering. Are you setting the stage for some new goals? Are you preparing for family to move in or depart? Do you have a busy season ahead? Are you anticipating a remodel of some area of your home? Are you just finally fed up with your daily experience. Now is the time to pin down exactly why you want a decluttered space. Write down or share your reasons with a friend. Perhaps this is a good time to come up with your own word for 2020 which will define and give for everything you do this year. When you determine your word, write it on a sticky note and put it on your computer. Create a magnet and keep it on your refrigerator or think of another way to keep your word in your mind in the next 52 weeks.
I’ll be back with more concrete ways to start decluttering your space, but please don’t ignore this important step. Knowing why you want to declutter is just as important as knowing how you’re going to declutter. Bringing intention into this brand new year is a great way to start.
You can follow along with the 2020 Home Organization Challenge here on the blog and also on Instagram by following #2020homeorgchallenge. If you’re participating in the challenge, post your photo there and add the hashtag. Let’s connect this month and see how much clutter we can eliminate from our lives!