{or Let's Get it Started}
It's 2013. I've taken down the tree and put away the ornaments. I've dusted and swept up about a gajillion pine needles. I'm ready.
For the past several years I've picked a Word of the Year, an area of focus for the days ahead. This year I think I'm going with two words: Simplify & Courage.
SIMPLIFY: declutter - my house, my brain, my life. Streamline. Get efficient. Eliminate excess and focus on fewer things.
COURAGE: Be brave. Take risks. I once read where someone said "In the end no one is going to thank you for not living your life." It hit me like a sack of bricks. I kinda think I'd been feeling proud of myself for making safe and responsible choices or for putting other people first all the time. Hearing the truth, that there's no reward for martyrdom, that you don't get a prize for never taking a crazy risk, made me realize if I have something I really want I need to GO FOR IT! Now. Cause time isn't going to wait for me to get brave. I just need to put on my big girl panties and start trying.
So here I go — I'm starting today (I already simplified by getting rid of five Christmas decorations that I've never liked. Yay me.).
Are you starting something new this year? Trying things differently? Anyone else out there have a "Word" for the year or a special goal? I'd love to hear what everyone's planning.
Happy New Year all!
I'm finally taking down the Christmas stuff tomorrow and I'm so looking forward to it. Love the words you chose. Perfect! Have a wonderful new year, filled with all the things you love!
ReplyDeleteIt's always such a good feeling to get all that extra stuff put away, isn't it? Suddenly the house feels bigger. Happy new year to you too.
DeleteWillow's Cottage reported she has picked the word "save" for 2013 and after some thought I decided I want to focus on daring to "care" more and with greater efficiency.
ReplyDeleteI like that idea, of caring with greater efficiency.
DeleteHappy New Year Jenny! I have been removing Christmas from my house too...little by little. The tree went the other day as it was looking jaded and yesterday the cards went too. Today I put a cabinet for Mr M's use, just where the tree was and it fills the space nicely. I put a pot plant, a squirrel nutcracker, 2 crafted apples and a ceramic owl that I happened across at the back of a cupboard..on top. It is soothing to have a clean, calm, fresh vignette to look at now. Another corner will be attacked tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect arrangement for that space. It sure is nice to have things feeling calm and clean after all the holiday hub-bub, isn't it.
DeleteHappy New Year to you Jenny.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of choosing words for the coming year. I think I would choose "balance". But I really liked what you said about courage and living your life. So true. Good luck!
Gillian x
Balance is a good one. I always find it sooooo hard.
DeleteHappy New Year Jenny x
ReplyDeleteMy decs will be coming down within the next couple of days. They're usually down by Twelfth Night.
I totally agree with your new chosen words. It can be so liberating to finally let go of stuff we really don't like and with it the guilt of hanging onto things.
Happy New Year to you too Ruby. I wish I could wait until Twelfth Night to take down our decs but I just can't stand it one more minute after new year!
DeleteHi Jenny, thanks for visiting my blog - I love yours! I don't choose a word each year, but I do choose one new thing to learn. One year it was jewelry-making, another year how to build a blog. This year I'm thinking it might be traditional Italian cooking. Not only will I learn something new, but I can eat it too! Happy New Year! Paige
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I really benefit from putting some time into learning to cook - my poor family eats cereal and canned soup far too often. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteYES! Go for it I love your words. Mine is light and it really has made a difference already.....thank you for your kind comment on my blog and Happy New Year:~))
ReplyDeleteI love your word. It's a good one to focus on this time of year too, when the days are so darn short.
DeleteHappy New Year Jenny! Great post; I have some changes to make for 2013 myself. Christmas is put away and I did show great restraint on Christmas decor clearance shopping this year! Does that count as SIMPLIFY? hee hee
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, it totally counts! I did the same thing, walking past the entire Christmas section in Target the other day. It's so hard for me to pass up "deals" but I kept reminding myself that storing all that stuff is not an option.
DeleteGlad to hear your "voice." Hope all is good in Canada.
Christmas is gone from my house and Valentines is already starting to appear in little bits. I don't have a word for the year. I think my words have always been create and inspire. Guess I'll stick with those! I do like your "courage". I'll be interested in seeing your courageousness this year!! Lots of opportunities for that in Montana!
ReplyDeleteI chose "create" last year, but I've come to realize that's just a "given" for me - I'm always thinking about creating. Hopefully I can inject some courage into my creations - move outside the box and put myself out into the world a bit . . . we'll see!
Delete