I started out the new year by selecting a word that would guide me through 2023 – intentional. I have carried the word with me through this winter. Over the course of about six weeks, I slowly but surely decluttered our home in bite sizes, breaking our belongings down into 32 very small categories and going through each one to get rid of what no longer serves, as well as reorganize to best utilize each space. By doing this in bite sizes, decluttering and reorganizing felt less overwhelming, more doable, and more motivating; as I accomplished each category, I wanted to keep going. Plus, I always listened to fun music, which really helped. The process brought me a lot of joy – far more than I was anticipating – and the end result feels so good. I have now made our home very intentional indeed.
I gave away a portion of excess seasonal decor. Over the past few years of having my blog, I felt I needed to buy more and show more for each season or holiday. I have now realized that this has only cluttered my home and my mind, and created more work for me with each new event, thus stealing some joy out of it. I will decorate – but much more simply (the exception, for now at least, being Christmas; my decor for that holiday brings me lots of joy). Now that we are married and building a life together, I wish to invest in more longterm pieces that work year-round.
The same is true for my clothing. I have tried before, but this year, I truly plan on shopping much more intentionally, not getting sucked into buying because of social media posts or sales. Just because I have a blog does not mean I should consume more for the sake of content; that is a dangerous spiral. Online browsing and packages arriving at our door has become overwhelming to me. I want far less. I want to rediscover what I already have, and beyond that, to focus on what is actually important.
This winter, I have also recommitted to my yoga practice. Each January, the wonderful Yoga with Adriene releases a new 30-day journey. It always takes me longer than the 30 days, and I recently finished this year’s, Center. Upon completing this journey, I feel more at ease, connected, as well as stronger. I would like to keep my yoga practice going throughout this year; it both strengthens and soothes my body and mind.
I have also been considering lately how I spend my time and how to make the most of it. I’m still figuring this out, for sure. I’ve been asking myself what my priorities are, what I value, and questioning some habits I’ve had for a while, as well as wondering if some things I have been resisting were right all along. I am looking forward to diving deeper this year into time.
It has been a winter of being intentional and pursuing simplicity. So far, it feels so very wonderful.
I wish you a lovely beginning of spring, this beautiful coming season of hope and growth.
P.S. Simple ways I enriched my morning and evening routines in 2022, 5 ways to find calm in stressful times, and why I love walking in the park.
