For me, this photo represents vast spaciousness - something I find myself needing more and more of with each passing day. (And one of the reasons why I took a week off from my blog. Glad to be back!) What started as a de-clutter December project, has now turned into my personal quest for the year of 2010. (This week I'll be introducing "Reduce Clutter; Create Space, 2010" project. I hope you'll join me!)
What does this mean? Well, every year around this time, I grab a warm drink, my favorite pen, and my journal, and I reflect on the past 12 months. I write about the events and celebrations that stand out. I write about lessons I've learned. I write about where I find myself in this moment as I approach a new year.
Rather than write resolutions, I usually write a word or phrase that sets my intentions for the coming year. Sometimes I think about it for weeks, and sometimes the phrase comes instantly. This past month of clearing clutter has erupted a deep desire in my soul to let go of more.
So my intention for this next year is to create S P A C E. I intuitively know that the more space I create, the more open my heart feels. And the more open my heart is, the more peaceful I feel.
I look around my environment, and what was once a place that suited my needs, has now felt as though I'm being swallowed in it. The more I clear, the more piles I find. And these piles are sneaky and hidden. Because on an external level, my house looks clean and orderly. But, when I start to go deeper, I find more and more treasures to sift through and learn from. It's hard. I get why so many of us avoid going deeper in our lives. Sometimes it's easier to not see. To stuff it away. To hide it in the closet. The drawers. Sweep it under the rug. But the physical stuff, the tightness in my throat, and the mental chatter reminds me that I CAN'T live that way. I need to go deeper. I need to clear. I need to breathe. I need to feel free. I need to be.
The creation of more space in my life is SO exciting. I see the open road, and I smile.Your Personal Reflection: What is your intention for this new year?
(You can see the list of what I de-cluttered for the month of December on the right side of my site.)
Reducing clutter and creating space sounds good to me! I've still been working slowly at my sifting and sorting project which I began in early December....much more to do though!
ReplyDeleteI will be anxious to see what your project is...
I need all the help I can get!!!
Great post...and good to have you back! I seem to always have the intention of slowing down, meditating, being calmer and kinder. Yet, I don't always make the time to foster these desires. So, maybe I need to sit down with my journal and figure this out...but I am intuitivly thinking "make time for me"...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I'm working on a similar project -- the new year brings this up for us as it is a time to reflect back on the year and look ahead. My new True North Arts project for January offers some creative ways to organize our intentions. I will definitely link to this blog post -- it offers a great reflection on the topic. I couldn't pick just one word for the year and I may just pick a word a month to focus on. Here are my words for 2010: Becoming (I'm shifting from wishing and dreaming to becoming what I desire), Service (How can I use my talents to best serve others?) Impact (How can I truly make an impact, to make a difference in the lives of others?) Passion (This is the fuel to keep it all going. What passions do I wish to pursue?)
ReplyDeleteDecluttering is the best way to make room for more creativity. It is an ongoing process for me. The ebb and flow of ideas, projects, and stuff keep me pretty busy!
Happy New Year!
{soul hugs}
Kathryn
Your blog is by far one of my favorites. I envy the way you embrace your creativity (the photo's you take and whatnot.) Or rather your creativity inspires me to put more of an effort forth in expressing my own.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my de-cluttering goes, it didn't turn out the way that I thought it would. I started by de-cluttering areas around my house and then I began de-cluttering areas of my life. Or maybe the act of one led to other- who knows?! But I am starting a whole new chapter of my life in January and creating that clean, crisp space is exciting.
Thank you for being an inspiration. XO
Love, love, love this! I went on quite a decluttering spree at the end of the month and it feels SOOOO grand! Here's to CREATING SPACE in 2010... brava, brava!
ReplyDeletewow can I relate to this post!
ReplyDeleteYour challenge sounds like exactly what I need. I shall keep watch for it.
ReplyDelete