Starting Fresh In 2022
Do you feel a bit down after the holidays? It’s common for many of us and inevitable for me so I like to fill the lull between Christmas and New Year with activities that help me clean out some clutter. It always helps energize me to start the new year feeling refreshed and unburdened.
Get organized
For many of us, that requires decluttering so we can organize what we have. My dog-eared copy of Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui gets reread almost every year. I’m always surprised at the number of things I’ve accumulated that I really don’t want or need in my life. A lot of the offenders are in my garage, but my wardrobe has its fair share too.
My wardrobe is getting a thorough go-over as well. I can honestly say I won’tĀ need to buy another pair of blue jeans for many years. The thing is, I know I will, so I’m donating the duplicates I purchased that didn’t measure up. Mid-season may seem like a weird time to do a closet cleanout, but this is a well-deserved mini purge and it feels so good. I’m forgiving of things I’ve owned for many years, but if it was a new purchase in the last 12 months and I’ve decided it’s not making me feel confident or happy, I bag it up and donate it to the women’s shelter.
I’ve removed 95% of my old black exercise gear because frankly, it depresses me and that’s the last thing I want to feel when faced with whether or not to do that yoga class or take that walk. I’m finding fresh, happy colors everywhere on sale, so I’m having fun replacing them.
edit your email box
If you’re anything like me, your email box has accumulated lots of subscriptions you really don’t want. At one time or another during the year, I either decided I loved a brand’s products, or I signed up to get an initial discount. No matter the reason,Ā if I’m no longer excited to see them in my inbox in the morning, I unsubscribe. Labeling an email as spam won’t remove you from their list, it just prevents you from seeing them so to really clear that clutter, unsubscribe.
FYI-Ā some of you may wish to do that for this blog and you can do so at the bottom of every email I send you. š
Bedside Drawer
Bedside tables seem to collect more than their fair share of “need to do’s” which is counterproductive to getting a good night’s sleep. My bedside table drawer houses my essential oil collection which has gotten out of hand so it needs to be cleaned out. I diffuse oils in several rooms daily and love to combine scents but along the way, I’ve bought several I really dislike. Just because I spent money on them doesn’t mean I have to keep them. If we allow things to make us feel guilty (you paid good money for this, you need to get your money’s worth out of it) then they own you.
Choose a word or theme
I gave up on resolutions many years ago and now like to choose a word instead. It sets an intention and acts as subtle guidance to keep me focused on a path I hope to go down. Merriam Webster chose ‘vaccine’ as the word of the year for 2021 because the word vaccine saw a rise of 601% year-over-year from 2020, which should surprise no one:) I have chosen easy. I’m pretty hard on myself about most things and finding it just isn’t serving me well so easy is my word for 2022.
What would your word be for 2022?
My word for 2022 is BLESSED. I am blessed with a home I love, family, friends, financial stability and too many clothes. I have been widowed for 9 years and when I start feeling sorry for myself I remind myself of so many less fortunate than I. This year I need to rid myself of clothes I not longer wear and “stuff” I no longer use, so that others less fortunate can enjoy it.
Iām going to use, or remember, the word try. Try to do anything, try to do something, etc. The past few months have been horrible, but if I ātryā something good may happen. Enjoy a blessed New Yearās.
Thatās the spirit. Hang in there. Happy New Year, Peggy.
My word for 2022 is kind- to others, or course, and to myself. This doesnāt preclude being upset or disappointed, but it does mean not being disrespectful. And, reminding myself that sometimes the kindest thing to contribute is nothing.
My wardrobe goal is to have a āone in,
one outā practice. I hope this reduces impulse purchases, because anything I bring home means a similar item has to go.
I am doing the same thing. One in, 2 go out
I recently did a clean out, and included a lot of heavily reduced clothes I bought to cheer myself up during lockdown. Most of it is not me, not my style at all. I am going to be much more careful and targeted about future purchases.
My word for 2022 is PRAISE. I am going to praise and acknowledge others more, including not being so hard on myself. This morning I told the young person who packed my groceries that he had packed them beautifully, and his face light up.
Great post! I love your ideas for clearing out; especially the wardrobe/jeans and the black work-out clothes.
Never thought of it that way. It’s almost like a uniform; wearing black work-out clothes. The new bright colors are so happy! Why not have them!
My word for 2022 is re-decorate. I’ve been putting off doing my living, family and dining room walls and floors. I have decided that the first quarter of 2022 will be dedicated to that.
Good luck with “easy.” That’s a good one! Happy New Year!
My word this year is GIVE. I like the idea of giving of my time and money to worthy causes. I enjoy your posts. Thanks.
I think my word will be āreleaseā
Release the stress
Release the worry
Release what I can do nothing about and work on things that I can make better.
Hi Jennifer,
I agree with what the other ladies have said, in so many words this is a meaning full post.
I was thinking what would be my operative word for 2022 last week and I have to have three, having just one did not feel right. My words are, HOPE
SUCCESS, VICTORY. My word for 2021 was LOVE.
Nice post Jennifer.
I adapted easy this year and am carrying into 2022.
Cheers to you and your family!
My word would be Begin – as in Begin new things – Begin to understand – etc. There are so many new things to Begin to enjoy in the coming year. So many things to learn to Begin to understand.
I’m always amazed at how much “stuff” as in the clothes you have but that relates partially to the blog – showing us wardrobes etc.
So nice to pass the clothes on to the women’s shelter. Coincidence – I too went thru a lot of “unsubscribe” emails this past week.
Enjoy the coming year!
Happy New Year Jennifer!
No need to purge my home as we moved 3 months ago and we are down to very little clutter!
My word for 2022 is patience and I plan on practicing it every day as my husband is ill and my life has been turned up side down but I know with the right attitude I can do it!
Look forward to your blog every day ā¤ļø
Coincidentally, I just bought a book on Feng Shui and look forward to applying it to all of the rooms in my houseš
The word I’ve chosen for 2022 is “Stretch”. For example, I intend to stretch my limbs and body each day to gain flexibility. I intend to stretch my comfort zone by campaigning door to door for the county commissioner office I’m pursuing. I want to stretch my time by being more intentional about my tv and screen time. I will stretch my spiritual growth by following a daily Bible devotional plan. Thanks for your daily blog posts and inspiration!
Brilliant Idea! Happy New Year, from Vernon!
(The Okanagan Valley, British Columbia Canada)
I like the week between Christmas and New Years. Itās a time of no expectations.
Not at all a slump for me.
We have a tradition of doing a photo of something meaningful each day which becomes the annual photo journal of the year. It gives us enormous enjoyment both in the creative doing and the in the priceless final product.
On New Yearās Day we make āvision boardsā using old magazine cutout words & images, which inspire us daily.
I like the idea of choosing a central word to evoke the hearts desire. Crystallizing it all down to simplicity.
What a wonderful idea – end the year decluttering for a fresh year/fresh start. I like your word “easy.” My word is “healthy” (I need to finally put my health first) but my second word will be “easy.” Happy New Year to you, Jennifer, and your lovely family. I look forward to your new posts.
Iām finding that the older I get the more I want JOY in everyday. That is my word for 2022.