I entered this year with the declaration that my word for the year is “LESS”. You can read more here. It’s 16 days in, and I am thrilled to say that I have definitely made progress on the physical clutter front in particular. I’m at least halfway through.
Here are a few things I learnt since starting:
To be successful, it’s crucial to get rid of things fast; otherwise, they just end up becoming clutter in a different bag/packet in a different part of the house.
Once you commit to something, the Universe will do what it has to to meet you halfway. The things I decided to sell were sold very quickly online. I also gave some stuff away.
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I have to admit it feels really good to let go of all the stuff that I no longer use. There is so much space that is taken up by “things” I will probably never use and papers I will never read again. I feel lighter, and I feel excited by the possibilities. My intention is to rearrange my space to be beautiful to my eye and to my soul. It is hard to be at peace when surrounded by a mish-mash of things that do not look beautiful. Rough edges do not soothe me.
Next up is my digital clutter. That’s going to take a while, especially my inbox. No matter how much I unsubscribe from, my inbox is always full. I just don’t understand it. Anyway, I will succeed in clearing it out this time.
That’s my word for the year. I have been looking around me for the past few weeks, and all I see is stuff. My wardrobes and cupboards are overflowing. My inboxes are overflowing. My folders are overflowing. There is just too much “overflowing” going on around me.
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That is not the only reason I want to have less of everything. I want to have less because I want to focus on the things and people in my life that will bring me more. More enrichment, more growth, more enjoyment, more experiences, more fulfilment, more fun and more focus…I guess you get the picture.
I am very grateful that I have been blessed with the means to accumulate all that, but I have definitely lost my way. I have accumulated largely for the sake of accumulating things and because I can sometimes, though, my bank balance takes some strain.
The issue with accumulating stuff, responsibilities and projects is that you can quickly lose sight of the things that are important to you. There are areas of my life that run me because of this lack of focus which is not on. It is time to take back the areas I can control, like my finances and my home, for example. I have spent so much time, money and effort into my education that I have let the maintenance of my home slip. I have allowed so many little things that need fixing to accumulate. I don’t know about you, but I also find it quite stressful when things don’t work correctly, so fixing it all will lead to less stress.
Clearing the clutter also adds energy to a space, or at least that is how it makes me feel. The same is true for clearing the mental and digital clutter. I feel rejuvenated and more alive when I step into a cleared space. I must admit that if I have done too good a job clearing a room, I feel a little lost in the space.
There are two areas that I will find the most difficult to clear: my bookcases and my clothes. I will have to come to terms with the fact that there are quite a few of each that I have to release for someone else’s enjoyment. I may never get to read/wear them, and that’s okay.
This is just one of my bookcases that is screaming for help 😱
I have tried physically decluttering before, but the clutter has somehow found its way back. I have come to the conclusion that it’s because I didn’t have a “why” that resonated with me each time I did it. I just did it because, at that point, I was tired of the clutter and wanted a clear space. This time, I know why I want to do this, and I am clear on the benefits for me and my son. I am clear on how to restructure the space to achieve my desired benefits.
Transformation takes time. This has been my other downfall previously. I had lacked patience with the process. I end up accepting a lower standard just to see a difference. So, in 2024, there will also be less rushing and lots more patience.
So, I am looking forward to a clearer and more focused year. Less for More in 2024!
Thank you for walking with me through 2023! May your 2024 be blessed.
Do you have a word or phrase for the year to come?
I started decluttering my digital space. For whatever reason, I get the sense that I need to do a lot of serious decluttering, both online and physically. I’m guessing I have a lot to make space for in 2024. Lots to look forward t
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While deleting files, I came across some of my notes from Robin Banks’s “Mind Power” and “Shaping Your Destiny” courses that I took in 2020. I had forgotten how good the material was. I still say my affirmations on my drive to work every day but there is so much more depth to the course material than I remembered. I also sat back and reflected on the person I was then and the person I am today. Both courses have had such a significant impact on me. I have become more confident about my strengths and have worked on my weaknesses. I am so grateful that I was able to take these courses.
One realisation I have since come to about myself is that I am more likely to put knowledge into practice if I take an instructor-led course instead of just reading the book. One of the main reasons is that the person who created the course has also done the thinking on the best method to apply the knowledge. They have done the thinking about when the best time in the day is to develop the required habit, how to do it, how much time to allocate, and, if necessary, where to do it. The instructor can convey the concept far more creatively than a book can. It becomes easier to grasp.
I have often chosen books over courses because they are cheaper and I can read whenever possible. With courses, I have to create the time in my calendar to attend the course. As a result of the investment of my time and money, I am committed to building the skill or competency. With a book, a lot more willpower is required because you need to figure out how to implement the habit, etc. I can overthink things, tie myself into knots, and then give up because it feels like it requires too much effort
I will still rely heavily on books going forward but where I really need to develop new habits and skills, I will seek an instructor-led course to help me.
What is the most effective method of learning for you?
Grounded African 