Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet for 2012? Every year, mine are the usual – lose weight, exercise more, save money, eat better, etc., etc., etc.… I know the more specific you are, the better chance there is that you will be successful in staying true to your resolutions.
For 2012, I am going to be really specific in my resolutions. I only have 3. They are quite simple – they are as follows:
1. Edit
2. Edit
3. Edit
That’s right. I am going edit, edit more, and then edit even more until I get it right. “It” being “balance”. Editing is the way to finding that blissful state of balance. It starts by getting rid of all the unnecessary stuff, the clutter in my house, my mind, and life. When you edit – you reveal only what is important in your life – the rest is all just stuff and fluff and things that just get in the way. All that junk that truly doesn’t make or break the way my house looks or feels, my comfort, goals, or responsibilities. That is what I am striving for.
A Little Bit Of Love
I have never strove for perfection in anything in my life – Never to have the perfect body (not going to happen), never to have the perfect house, (well a water view would be nice, but editing doesn’t mean I have to give up my dreams) perfect outfit, hair, skin, furniture – good enough is just fine. Finding the balance in life to me – is PERFECTION. Editing peels away all the unnecessary layers to reveal the real you and when that is revealed – balance can be achieved.
Paul Bond Art
I once read that clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions. Well how do I get rid of it? I make the decision to edit… and the clutter goes away.
The next time I am at HomeGoods and that shiny new vase is winking at me, I will edit and say – “Oh, shiny new vase – you are so pretty, but I do not need you… I have a few just like you at home.” Perhaps, I will go to the back of the store where the shiny, trendy, and glittery are banned. What I will find there is something I need – fluffy new bath towels so that when I step out of the shower I will feel like I am at a spa – pampered and warm.
When I walk in the door at the supermarket and am handed front row seats to the cookie aisle, I will edit and say “no thank you”. Instead I will buy one cookie from the bakery section so I can enjoy something sweet, but not be lured to an entire bag.
If I can’t control my own mind and actions, then how can I reach what I am striving for – balance. I must edit, edit, and edit some more. I am the editor-in-chief of my life and no one else can do it, but me.
After I edit my clothes closet and toss, donate, or fix – I know there will be less, but I have found when I have too little in my closet, it makes me more creative and resourceful in how I mix and match to create a new look. It is not that I want less – it is about finding more – more that is right for me.
2012 is the year I want to be less concerned with “wants” and more concerned about whether that “want” I am about to buy, partake in, say yes or no to relates to the way I want to live. “Wants” are treated too much as needs rather that what they really are. I have to edit to make sure my “wants” perform to make my life better before I allow them into my life.
Think about it, if you edited even just one thing in your life – how much better would you be by year’s end? It could be as simple as editing the amount of sugar you consume – from two teaspoons to one teaspoon a day or the amount of money you spend each week at HomeGoods. Editing is not about deprivation – just about getting rid of the layers to reveal what is best for you alone.
Editing is easy as it doesn’t require money, talent, or a certain skill-set. Just your willingness to find the balance in your life so you can live more authentically and happy.
In 2012 – Edit is my word to live by.
Sheryll & Critters. says
Oh my, who told you to talk to me? Well I am caught. This is the word I needed to hear and missed this blog until this morning.
I am working on “stuff” now also.
Sheryll Lyn from FB.
Sandy says
Great word! Blessings on your editing journey.
Carol says
Great choice for the year. I am trying hard to de-clutter. Several bags of stuff have gone to the Goodwill already.
Shannon at madiganmade says
Diane,
What a great word! Editing is hard, but worth it… and always needed. I love that quote about clutter, too.
Does this mean you will need to edit your thrift shopping, too? (I secretly hope not… we are overdue for a trip! :D )
Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says
Hey, Diane, it is hard to edit sometimes, isn’t it? I know I will definitely be doing more of that when I move in a smaller place this time around. All that stuff won’t fit! And decluttering and editing feels really good. Here’s to a wonderful new year in 2012 for all of us!
karen says
Oh, how this is so inline with the challenge I’m doing.
http://www.ecokaren.com/de-clutter-2012-challenge/
Editing……big time!
Louise in NE OK says
May I use your word for the year? Edit is a wonderful way to think of cleaning the clutter. I enjoy reading your blog. Good stuff!
Lisa @ A Room with A View says
I am loving this post, Diane, because the word ‘edit’ is perfect. It is not about cutting out but cutting back, not about depriving oneself but recognizing what is already good and what one already has. The idea of a fluffy towel instead of something glittery and one cookie instead of more is something I will remember. Happy New Year!
Rhona says
I definitely want to edit but I get bogged down in items I’ve gotten after my grandparents passed away. I just want to keep it all and yet, it drives me crazy. Any ideas on how I can sort through all those things?
Diane says
Hi Rhona –
My husband and I just did this with his mothers things. We gave many things away or donated them. We kept only the things that had the most meaning to us or could actually use the item. The more valuable antiques went to auction and we make some money. We could not keep it all – the items for the auction we had to store for a bit until the auction date and that bogged us down. We felt free when it all was gone. Shelters and Homes for Women and Children are always looking for good household items and furnishings. If you donate some of the items to a good cause then it might make you feel good that your grandparents things went to good use and are not just cluttering your life or sitting in storage. I would just set aside a day or a few hours a week to start sifting through everything into piles – keep, donate, toss, and sell. Box them up and then take them where they are going to go.
Good Luck – it is a bit daunting, but just start with one box at a time until you are done.
Lesley says
My favorite “GOALS” post of the new year! I think I’ll join you….Great concepts, simple… EDIT. :)
Diane says
Thanks so much Lesley. Edit, Edit, Edit was the mantra of my mentor in my first display job right out of college. He would do a display and he would never considered it finished until he stepped back and looked with new eyes at it. When he would do this he always would pronounce with flair and theatrics – Edit, Edit, Edit… :) I haven’t seen him in many years – he was a creative genius and taught me so many things.
Vicki V says
This post is absolutely speaking to me ! I know that I need to simplify (i.e., edit) and have been trying to do so but not hard enough! I like the idea of editing out one thing a day, no matter how small. That is doable and doesn’t seem so overwhelming.
Diane says
Hi Vicki- I like that – one thing a day. That makes it do-able and not so overwhelming. By years end – just think how happy you will be. :)
Nan says
I LOVE THIS POST! I agree with everything you said! Your resolution is now MY resolution! Thanks you for the inspiration!
Diane says
Hi Nan-
Thank you so much. It makes me very happy to know that I have inspired you. XO
tiffanie says
Wow! What a great read to start my day. I would ove to share a link to this on my blog:)
Thanks so very much for sharing!
SpecialK says
What a special post. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope twenty twelve is everything you wish for and more. I will follow on my way out so I can revisit this lovely place you have created. I hope you can find the time to come visit me and do the same. I look forward to engaging throughout the year. Cheers SpecialK XoXo
Diane says
Cheers to a wonderful 2102 to you. Are you enjoying your iPad that Santa brought you?
Darcy says
I so love this! What a great word for this year. I might have to borrow it for half the year, then follow up the rest of the year with the word “perseverance” to get some of those long awaiting goals moving in the right direction. Thanks for the inspiration!
Mandy says
All I can say is, “AMEN”!!!!!
Sandra @Sawdust and Paper Scraps says
I have to continually work on editing what I purchase as well. I love a good deal! If I see something cool marked down, it just completely fogs my need/want vision. Luckily, I learned ONE lesson in college economics about Marketing and “Sales” that resonated and therefore stuck. When it comes to a “Sale”, it’s not how much you are saving, but how much you are spending that’s important! That little nugget helps me down off the ledge most of the time.
Rickee Dozier says
St. Paul said, in Philippians 4:11b-13, ‘I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content. I know how to be abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ I loved everyone’s thoughts on editing, de-cluttering, and balance.
Cathy says
Thank you for putting words to my feelings! Money has been extra tight lately (and I know I’m not alone) so I’ve been wanting to cut back. But how would I do it? Now I know that with every possible purchase I will simply ask myself “is this a want or a need”. This is really going to make a difference in my life!
Carol-Anne says
I LOVE THIS! What a refreshing way to start the year!
mary beth says
What a great way of looking at the whole thing~ I have always struggled with contentment, and am finally getting it. Separating “want ” from “need” helps and getting older helps too…having one more basket never brought anyone satisfaction, unless it was marked down to 25 cents that is! :) thanks for sharing your insights
Eileen says
I think you are right on track. Clutter is exhausting. We have been under a whole house renovation(camping with amenities) for 2 years and my libra(scales, balance, etc) self is Longing for the day when we are done and I will be organized and everything will have a home. In the meantime, I’m holding onto things because I truly don’t know if I’ll be using it in one of the new rooms. I do know that I’ll be editing, simplifying…whatever, like a crazy person when I reach that point. So, I’ll take my resolve from you and bypass that “have to have” item when I very well could find the same thing in one of my storage bins!!! Happy New Year!!!
Nana Diana says
I’m with you- This is the year of EDIT and CHOICES for me. I am not buying anymore until I edit what I have and purge what I don’t need/love. You got this right, girl! xo Diana
laurie says
oh my gosh I just stumbled across your blog today, its beautiful and I just love your projects, that knitting needle christmas tree is such a smashing idea! I’m your newest follower!
Denise says
Diane, oh, how I need to do the same thing. We moved from a 2,400 square foot home to a home that is less than 1,000 square feet. I have given so many things away to friends, family and charity but I still need to edit so that I can enjoy our beautiful backyard and inground pool/spa. I spend all of my time trying to find things and I am ready to edit, edit, edit so I am free.
Amanda says
Diane, this was wonderfully thought out and beautifully written! Thank you for this.
Jean Abrams says
I have begun working on this same thing. I recently edited my home office closet of a few things and it really helped me get creative! I also found the floor and back of the closet!! I must confess, though that I did succumb to some shiney new candlesticks that beckoned my name at World Market…ooops!
jen says
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, don’t know if I’ve ever left a comment. This is exactly how I’ve been feeling about my house lately. In fact, I took a ton of “stuff” out of my house today, piled the tchotchkes on the library table and flung the extraneous furniture into the garage. I feel so freed!
Good luck editing your life this year, I’ll think of you every time I resist an urge at HomeGoods. May that be more frequent this year.
Debbie M. says
I am a new follower and love your word for the year!! My word for the year is “Simplify” and some of my thoughts are oh, so similar to yours!!! Here’s to a great year of focus!!