Declutter is one of my favorite chores at the first of a new year. A new year stirs up the cleaning bug within my heart. I want to start the year right – with a new calendar, a decluttered office, and a sense of control over at least something in my life. In January I like to ready, rearrange, and rediscover.
Readying
Don’t you love the old phrase, “I am readying up the house?” This phrase comes from a blend of Scottish, Irish, and German slang and means to tidy and declutter a space. Readying our surroundings involve decluttering, cleaning, and straighten up what is left behind from the previous year or season. In early winter I tackle cupboards, drawers, closets, and shelves. Those inside jobs that often get neglected. I take things to be recycled or donated.
Rearrange
Next, I rearrange those cupboards, drawers, and shelves once they are cleaned and put them into order. One big project I just completed was reorganizing all my bookshelves in my home office. Ugh! My books multiply by themselves creating a constant need for more book shelf space.
Rediscover
Then I rediscover new treasures. I find books I want to reread. Forgotten books. Ideas on Post-it notes hidden in a drawer. A lost memory or keepsake that warms my heart. To declutter leads to reorganize.
Readying, rearranging, and rediscovering are good spiritual practices too.
Readying
What in your soul is old, out of date, and past its prime? What needs to be decluttered in your heart? What blocks God’s voice from entering in? Is there a bad habit that needs to be surrendered to the Lord?
For me, I am readying up the nook where I spend time with God for my morning devotions and deeper reading. I know the bad habit of rushing my morning time with God dominated my schedule these last few months. Time to toss that one out! I am slowing down and spending more time with God in 2023.
Rearrange
What in your life needs reordered? Your priorities? Your hobbies? How you spend your time?
I look at my calendar. Big events and trips are clearly marked. One practice I always do is take an annual silent retreat. I start a list of potential times and places and pencil them into the schedule to hold their place. I talk with God about what writing priorities to work on in the new year.
Rediscover
What exciting treasures will you rediscover through this reflection?
I brought over to my prayer chair some of those books I want to reread in the new year. One book reminded me I wanted to study the writer Evelyn Underhill in 2023 so I began to gather her books and articles to have for easy reference. She will be my first Lamplighter this year.
I updated my prayer list for next year too and tucked it into my Bible. Throughout the year I will add new names as needs come and go.
And most important I ask God to help me see what I need to let go of. What takes me away from God? Then I try to arrange my surroundings to support what draws me closer to God.
As we head into 2023, may we all ready our hearts, rearrange our lives, and rediscover God’s presence in all our ordinary and extraordinary moments. Blessings on your new year!
What are you readying, rearranging and rediscovering in January?
I love decluttering at the beginning of the year, too! I’ve been working in our bedroom so far this month. We bought a new mattress, which inspired me to clear off the top of my dresser, underneath my dresser, and buy a new pillow and some blackout curtains. All that’s left is to hang the curtains (well, and to clean off the bookshelf, but I’m not committing to that yet, lol). Cleaning my outer space helps me feel less cluttered on the inside too.
We are two peas in a pod, aren’t we? There is an energy to the first of the year for decluttering.
I appreciate your blog on decluttering. Our house of 4 children is now empty of children and full of pets. The children have left a substantial amount of “treasured items” and memorbilia in their rooms. Like you, I have a book shelf of hundreds of books that need culling, organization, re-reading, finishing and/or donating. I guess you could say, like many Americans, we are blessed with a lifetime of mess? The clutter is a reminder that we have so much and other so little. I tend to think of big projects for my home like renovating kitchens and bathrooms. Then reading today about Rule of Life from your blog, I feel a sense of reality that we’re just passing through this life; declutering is one small inspiration to reengate with living my best life for whatever time I have left.
Thank you Nina for your kind comments. Lifetime of mess is a good way to describe all our stuff. I have also heard it call ‘Swedish Death Cleaning” where we imagine we have died – what do we keep? Sadly most of our treasures our kids don’t want. and I do like my spaces, orderly – gives me a sense of peace.
love love love this!
happy new year, friend!
May 2023 be full of blessings for you, Linda!
I have a few priorities to attend to first, but look forward to decluttering my office space, perhaps in a couple of weeks. Clear spaces help to clear my mind and spirit!
Im taking one cupbaord or drawer each day. slowly readying the home – make me feel better and probably gives me a sense of control. This is something I CAN control. LOL
Readying for a New Year . . . I love that thought, Jean! It helps us in our spiritual walk to have actual physical tasks to accomplish, all while contemplating how we can serve God for His glory. As I’ve tried to keep things streamlined throughout the year as much as possible, I will take some more measured looks at what “clutter” is preventing me from having a closer walk with the Lord.
Blessings!
Clutter sure slows me down and there is something about a clear space that gives me room to create and the energy to do!
thank you jean….unfortunately…im not readying..rediscovering..rearranging anything…as of today am in blah limbo…just an old lady trying to plow thru the last few years with her Lord…
Blah limbo – sounds relaxing. I am with you though plowing through each day, one stet at a time, one cupboard or drawer at a time. Happy New year, Pat!
One yearly January practice that helps update my prayer list is taking down all the Christmas cards we received that I tape to the archway between our dining & living rooms. I bring these to my prayer space and intentionally pray for each sender taking note of those with needs and add them to my list of folks to pray for. Re-cycling these becomes a physical action toward care for the universe and at the same time a spiritual action toward care for those needing my prayers.
Love this practice. I prayer for each card too but haven’t started cleaning up that basket yet. You reminded me to do so. I sent the usual amount of cards out but didn’t get as many back this year. Thinking that traditional is sadly dying.