Clearing the Clutter - New Year Intentions

At Wood & Sage, it is our purpose to become more and more at ease and in tune with the natural world around us, but unfortunately, our busy and sometimes, overly cluttered lives make it hard to 'find the time' to allow ourselves to rest and explore in nature and discover it's purpose and benefit to our lives. Clearing and simplifying our lives is a foundational first step to create the physical space ~ and in turn, the mental space we need to find peace and clarity. The Nordic see this practice as a main component of Hygee, a beautiful way of life that brings our focus back to the basics and prioritizes what is truly important.

If you have been feeling overwhelmed, write too many to-do lists, find yourself craving some 'down time' or yearn for the 'noise' to stop, maybe it's time to take an inventory of what is necessary and what isn't in your life and maybe even in your own home. The physical environment in your home should be your 'safe haven', the place where you can relax and explore your thoughts.

I personally find it difficult to relax when there is a lot happening around me, but I am able to find my center and focus when my environment is clear and clean - it gives my mind the space it craves.

There is no better time than the beginning of a new year, to take time to clear the clutter and start fresh.

Let's create our simplified and comforting environment in the next few weeks.

Try this -

• Make a list of all the rooms/areas in your home. We are going to clear and clean 2 rooms a week.

• Pick one of the areas you wrote down to tackle today. Stand at the entrance. Look around. Take mental note of the thoughts that come to mind when you think about the room. What has been bugging you or laying in a messy pile behind closed doors that is a source of discontent? Why do you still have that lamp that is broken and you never really liked in the first place? Do have double the amount of cookbooks that you really need?

• Spend 1 hour clearing. Pull out all of the excess - things you don't like, you don't need, that you don't use, don't fit or just plain don't work. Be ruthless. Either get rid of it or put it in a pile by your front door to give away. Don't go over 1 hour. If there is still more to do, fine, but not today. You have made 1 hour of progress and that in itself will be so soothing!

• Spend 10 minutes to just pick up and put away anything out of place and anything that would be better suited in a box or basket. Have a goal to increase the amount of empty surfaces or at least reduce the visual clutter/interruptions by 50%.

• Spend 20 minutes to do a 'quick clean' - just a fast dust, vacuum and cleaning of the mirrors and windows glass.

Now move on the the next room later this week and repeat until all rooms have had their clear and clean day.

When you have completed your 90 minutes in each room, treat yourself to an entire afternoon of 'me' time in your beautiful and relaxing environment. You have now made space in your life to enjoy each day more fully. You have made space ~ for you!