My OLW last year was “DO,” and I have to admit it’s the first OLW I’ve chosen that didn’t really resonate with me. When I reviewed my intentions from 2013, I was rather disappointed with myself. I gave some thought to holding onto the word, and trying again, but a week or so ago the right word for this year appeared: Simplify.
Image credit: Pinterest
I’m surprised it didn’t come to me right away. A few weeks ago I enrolled in an online course called “A Simple Year: Twelve Months of Guided Simplicity” while there was a nice discount available. I’ve started and abandoned attempts to purge our home of unnecessary and non-useful things so many times I can’t count them. I really don’t want to leave my children with a house full of objects to dispose of when we can no longer take care of them. I’m also going to finish the book I started when Alexa recommended it ages ago, The Joy of Less.
I’d written out quite a few things I wanted to accomplish this year, but this weekend I read Kim Klassen’s blog post where she made a list of 14 things for 2014. So here is my list of Fourteen Intentions for 2014.
- Purge and organize closets and wardrobe
- Purge and organize cupboards and shelves
- Purge and organize digital file folders and scrapbook supplies
- Use every stamp I own, and get rid of those that don’t inspire me
- Modify diet to include more vegetarian recipes
- Complete Project Life monthly
- Read four books/month
- Complete outstanding classes
- Create and publish a Blurb book of our European trip
- Complete photography projects for 2014
- Streamline the budget; save more
- Exercise a minimum of 3X/week
- Monitor my time on the computer
- Complete five card challenges/month
When I purchased the little notebook for my 2014 photography project, I also bought one for my OLW. I have lists of specific places and areas to purges, books I want to read, & ideas for streamlining my schedule so I make time for the daily practices I care about. I’ve also started a Pinterest board with quotes and ideas to inspire me in this year’s journey. I’ve always loved beginnings, and I’m excited to put these ideas in place in 2014.
I think quite a few from your list should go on my list as well!!
I love the word simplify. mmm… maybe next year. I thought The Joy of Less was a great book – you might also like The Power of Less by Leo Babauta. Definitely need to add 3, 8, and 12 to my own list of intentions!
Love your word Karen! I chose SIMPLIFY a few years ago, and found http://www.simplify101.com, where I have met some great friends and in real life too! (We visited 2 of them on our trip to California and Oregon). I love your Pinterest board! Such a great idea, hope you don’t mind if I copy the idea. Good luck with your 14 things for 2014, and I wish you and your family a very happy 2014:)
Quite a few of your items are on my list too!
That’s a great word – I did a lot of clearing and purging the year I chose “home,” and I know I’ll be doing even more this year. It is really hard to get rid of things for me, too. I took four huge garbage bags of clothes to the donation box this weekend, though!
Rinda
I like that word and your goals that go with it. I considered simplify for my word this year. I think I have a OLW but i’m mulling it over for now!
A good word! The Pinterest board sounds like a great plan – I think that’ll be very inspiring, and you never know who else it might inspire too
That is a fabulous journal! I’m on a mission this year to work through our house organizing & decluttering & doing a little re-decorating. Being married to a collector means there are some things that won’t get purged, but I have a couple of closets and an attic space that really need to be cleaned out! :>) Looking forward to seeing how SIMPLIFY manifests itself in your life this year.
An excellent word and I like the list you have compiled. I intend to do some of these things myself too!
What a great little word you’ve chosen, Karen, and I love your 14 things for 2014! Your remark about purging things so that your children will not be left with them really resonates with me! After going through my mom’s things last year I was really struck by how difficult that was, and I really never want Carrie to have to do that. Although, I suppose she will have to one day, but I can do my part now in pairing it down! The really daunting task will be my craft room, as was my mother-in-law’s (she put me to shame!) and my own mom’s crafting supplies. I really need to either use it or lose it!
This is a word which resonates with me. As you. might imagine! Your list is clear and full and looks like ‘Do!’ Is hovering in there somewhere! Leo Babauta’s The Power of Less is indeed a very good book and his Zen to Done is great. Wishing you every success! And I’ll be following along …
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