A Brand New Year

In general, I'm not much for holidays. They tend to make me overly sentimental and introspective. But I managed to get through New Year's Eve this year without slumping into a deep blue funk. Maybe it was because we actually had something to do on New Year's Eve. Turns out it's much more pleasant spending the evening with friends than sitting around the kitchen table grousing about how we have failed to make New Year's Eve plans. Note to self: Repeat next year.

While I may not be one for holidays, I am definitely in favor of setting goals. New Year's Resolutions get a bad rep, in my opinion, only because people set unrealistic goals. Goals in and of themselves are not a bad thing at all. In fact, living your life without goals results in "drift" -- moving along wherever circumstances might take you, without any thought of where you'd like to land.

In giving some thought to my goals for 2012, the theme which comes to mind is SIMPLIFY.  

In recent weeks, I've been feeling burdened by STUFF, material possessions that clutter my space and, more importantly, bring me down emotionally. I've always had a tendency to hang onto things for sentimental reasons. But I've also accumulated a lot of stuff which I've kept only out of guilt or obligation. These kinds of possessions do not bring me joy. In fact, they create a kind of negative, unhealthy energy. As an only child, I know that one day I'm going to take possession of even more STUFF, more than I can begin to imagine, and the thought of that is simply overwhelming.

So in 2012, I resolve to rid my space of unnecessary clutter. I will replace non-working or obsolete items. I will aggressively donate old and excess clothing and household items. I will not throw items away unless they are absolutely irreparable. I will tackle this onerous task room by room, drawer by drawer, box by box.

 My hope is that by the end of 2012, I will have room to breathe. Wish me luck! I'm going to need it! :)