In January, the beginning of a fresh new year, many people make a resolution to simplify their lives. Sometimes it’s their cluttered home that they need to simplify. Others may feel tired and want to slow down and recover from the rush of the holiday season.
I am often motivated to do the opposite. A new year gives me the feeling of endless possibilities. I start dreaming of all the exciting things I could do and places I could go. I start planning for the big goals that I want to accomplish.
I have set my annual goals, created a vision board, and decided on a “word of the year.” My word of the year in 2024 is MORE. I have to admit that I initially just liked the idea of having a word that rhymes with the year. But as I started thinking about it, I kept finding more ways that I wanted more:
- More fun
- More laughter
- More action (this is a reminder to stop procrastinating)
- More connection with friends and family
- More water (I always need to drink more water)
But while there are certainly things that I do want more of, it’s sometimes actually less that I’m looking for. More quiet means less noise. More rest means fewer events on the calendar. More peace means less stress and hurry.
So this year what I might really need is somewhat of an oxymoron – more simplicity.
Simple sounds good to me right now. I have a simple wardrobe and skin care routine to make getting ready easier. I’ve decluttered most of my house, but still have some areas that need work. I’m focused on a few key activities that align with my values and interests. Everything else is just noise and distraction.