This is the time of year for resolving to turn over a new leaf, to live healthier lives, to get our financial houses in order, or to mend broken relationships. Unfortunately, even with the best of intentions, most of our resolutions come to nothing as the year passes and life happens. Dave and I long ago recognized the futility of making New Year promises to ourselves. Instead, we sit down together sometime in the first week of January for our annual “year-end in review” to reflect on the year just passed and make plans for the year ahead. No resolutions to make or break. Just a quiet moment to think about how we would like our lives to unfold over the next 52 weeks.
For me, the unfolding often involves getting rid of things. I am a minimalist at heart. I enjoy uncluttered spaces, and the challenge of fixing or re-purposing rather than replacing items. So if I were to make a New Year resolution—which I’m not, but if I were—I would resolve to clean out my psyche and spirit, to let things go.
Here are five things that I want to get rid of this year:
1. Fear
I will banish any fear that restricts what I do and how I feel, leaving confidence to fill the void, confidence born of many years of life and work experience. I have no room for fear of failure because I know that the only failure is in not trying.
2. Resentment
Anger, resentment and an unforgiving attitude are the enemies of a growing spirit. Just like weeds in a field of grain, they sap resources and decrease productivity. As we grow older we need all the energy we can muster to build lives of creativity and peace. I don’t want to let the demons of resentment and bitterness crowd out my enjoyment of life. Whatever wrong has been done to me, I will just get over it. Forgive and forget. I will receive the benefit of an attitude of compassion and grace.
3. Inertia
This is not the time to slow down. I have much to do, so many things to learn. I will rid myself of any tendency to vegetate. Even in the dead of winter when the nights are long and the days are cold–when I am so tempted to stay snuggled in a warm bed– there are trails to ski and ice rinks to skate. There are articles to read—and write. Life is meant to be lived every single day.
4. Regret
I will not allow regret or disappointment to stifle me. I will remember that whatever has happened in the past has contributed to who I am today and I will accept all things with gratitude. I will live with hope in a future that is shaped by the past in a way that is uniquely mine.
5. Excess
Excess is the culprit that brings us down in so many aspects of our lives. Even good things can be done, or taken in excess. Too much exercise can strain muscles and connective tissue and necessitate dropping activity all together. Too much love can be smothering and cause our loved one to avoid us. Too much food, even good food—well, we all know what comes from that! I will get rid of excess that clutters my environment and fills up the space in my mind.
How will you begin 2016? What corners of your life will you clean out?