8 Words For The New Year

As we start a new year I'm trying not to get caught up in too many promises to myself while still remaining open to and encouraged by a new start.  Clicking around Pinterest for the first time in a long while on New Year's Eve lead me to this gem:

Someone already wrote my motto for the year for me!  Thanks!

SIMPLIFY  I had the word simplify in my head already as a better way to categorize decluttering.  Decluttering sounds like a problem to fight and something that hangs over you until it's completed...and really, when will I ever be truly free of clutter?  Simplying, though, sounds sort of zen.  It sounds like something that can be found within the uncluttered messes for a feeling of peace amid chaos.  It's a mindset not an overwhelming to-do list of decisions and garbage collection.  It also speaks to me about perfectionism.  Letting go of expectations and just simply doing and being.  I like it.

BE INSPIRED  I've hesitated to make great declarations about blogging, sewing, creating, selling or anything that feels like a mandate to myself.  I really believe I need to start small with something I do just because I want to do it.  If I'm inspired the momentum can carry me to bigger places.  Focusing on the big place seems, well, big.

BE ORIGINAL  As I look through blogs, Pinterest and other people's work I think "I can do that!".  Yet I don't.  Besides the fact that what I'm seeing has already been done, I think I'm trying to back into what I can do rather than what I want to do.  Defining success as doing what I want to do the way I want to do it is authentic.  And original.  

WORK HARD  As a stand alone, this one feels a bit harsh to me - working harder is not always better.  When I'm struggling and should be gentler on myself and those around me "work harder" can bully it's way in to save the day when really, it just compounds the problem.  In context of this list, however, I think it fits.  I'm not afraid of hard work - it brings a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.  Rest and play are essential for balance but need to be balanced against work.

ENJOY  None of the other things mean much without taking time to enjoy.  Enjoy the calm of simplicity.  Enjoy the creative process.  Enjoy being original and true to myself.  Enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.  Enjoy the doing and the not doing.  Enjoy what's done and what's left to do.  This one, for me, is to capture mindfulness and being in the moment. A reminder that I can chose joy.  To live in joy and ENjoy.