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As another year comes to a close, I am spending intentional time reflecting on the last 12 months – what worked for me, what didn’t work for me; what I want to take with me into the new year, and what I want to leave behind.
This year has been transformational, to say the least. Very much like the year prior, and the one before that. Since coming out of the pandemic, I’ve found that with each year comes another lesson to be learned, more turmoil, more grief. However, each year also brings more joy, more love, and more clarity on what I want and don’t want out of life.
I like to think of myself as a glass half full kind of person. While it’s unreasonable (and impossible) to live a life free of grief, hardship and heartache, it is perfectly reasonable to be intentional about how we go about our day to day navigating the good times and the hard times.
This is the year that I really solidified some important routines and rituals that I am excited to continue in the new year. They’ve helped to ground me during the hard times, and have helped me to slow down and be more intentional. These routines have helped me learn to let go of the excess and start loving my home again, and they’ve taught me how to live a more simple, fulfilling life.
3 Habits to Start in the New Year
1. Create a morning ritual you love
Do you have the habit of hitting snooze at least 3 or 4 times, before finally deciding it’s time to wake up? Only to then immediately check your email, Instagram or anything other than actually getting out of bed?
I am guilty of that too. It’s a habit. It’s a distraction.
Instead, try setting the intention to get up on time, or even a few minutes early. Rather than immediately scrolling through your phone, be intentional with how you start your day. Smile. Get out of bed. Drink a glass of water. Light a candle. Enjoy your coffee or tea slowly. Don’t rush through it. As Courtney Carver describes in her book Soulful Simplicity, practice the art of lingering. My morning ritual is something I look forward to when I go to bed at night. It’s a sacred time for just me.
I get it, you’re busy – we all are. But if you start your day with the intention to start slowly, you’ll be amazed at how much better your day will be.
Right now, my morning ritual most days looks like this:
- Wake up before my family, and move to my sacred spot in the living room and light a candle
- Journal for 15 minutes – about anything and everything. I started this practice after reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It’s a great way to work through thoughts and feelings – to get the noise out of your head. I always feel lighter after my morning pages.
- Meditate for 10-15 minutes. I like using the Insight Timer app, but I know many who use the Headspace app and like that too. I also really enjoy the Deep Imaginings by To Be Magnetic. If you have the Peloton app, they have wonderful guided meditations as well. In fact, that’s where I got started with meditation.
It’s only after these important rituals that I head to the shower and get the rest of my day started. By showing up for myself first, I feel grounded and calm. I feel like I’m ready for anything. On the days that I miss, I can definitely feel a difference in my demeanor throughout the day.
2. Learn to say no
For most of my adult life, my calendar has been packed with work and social commitments, only getting more full after becoming a mother. Over the last year, I’ve learned to say no to more things. I only say yes to the things that truly light me up. Of course there are work commitments and things that you can’t really say no to, but all of the extra – you get to choose. Yes, you have a choice.
Last year, I learned about my Human Design – I’m a 5/1 Manifesting Generator with a sacral authority. I realize that may mean nothing to you (I had no idea at first either), but it is a fascinating way to learn more about yourself. It resonated with me more than astrology does. If you’re curious, it’s a fun deep dive. Having sacral authority means you should follow your gut. If it’s not an instant, enthusiastic hell yes, then it’s a no, or a not right now.
Learning to say no, respectfully decline invitations, and only say yes to the things that excite you is an important practice in creating a simple life you love. It’s easy to fill the calendar, and before you know it there’s no time for the things that light you up and bring YOU joy.
3. Spend 10 minutes decluttering everyday
You know that feeling when the house is cluttered, there is stuff everywhere, and you feel like you can’t keep up? I know it well. In fact, it is a major cause of stress. This year, I finally decided to take action and do something about it.
I’ve been on a mission to declutter my home and simplify our way of life. In the fall, I hosted the Chaos to Cozy Fall Decluttering Challenge and I haven’t looked back. I’m learning to get rid of the excess, reduce clutter, and start loving my home again. I used to feel like we needed a bigger home for our family of four – 1600 square feet just didn’t seem big enough for all of us. After I started simplifying, I quickly realized that square footage wasn’t the problem. We simply had too much stuff.
Now, I make it habit to spend about 10 minutes a day tidying and decluttering, usually in the evening once the kids have gone to bed. Aim to have your flat surfaces clear – this includes the kitchen counter, dining table, and your bedroom dresser and nightstands. Waking up to a tidy(ish) home is another way to reduce stress in your life.
Now I’m curious, are there any habits that you picked up that you’re excited to take with you into the new year? Let me know in the comments below!
