My “word” for the new year finally came to me a few days after the new year, so bear with me, y’all! Haha! Picking a word for the new year feels a little hokey to me, but if I must, then my word for the new year is INTENTIONAL.
What Is Being Intentional?
The definition of intentional is done on purpose or deliberately. I want the things I do, buy, say, feel, and consume to all be intentional, and I know that will be a tall order for me. I’m the type of person who likes things immediately, and now, with little thought of whether I really need something, etc. I’m a little over the place regarding stuff and things, so I’d like to try reigning that in a little this year. Looking around my home, I see I have been blessed with so much. And it’s not just things. I want to be more intentional with my time and who I spend it with. My whole life needs an intentionality check.
Let’s Get Intentional About
I had a lightbulb moment about intentionality several days ago. I discovered one of my biggest areas to get more disciplined about was my personal collection of soaps/lotions/skincare/body sprays/ect. After making one last purchase at Bath and Body Works after Christmas (I had a gift card, and the sale was awesome), I’ve challenged myself not to purchase any more of these items until I have used up what I have. I have accepted that no facial moisturizer or serum will erase my wrinkles, so I have streamlined my skincare to about three items (exfoliant, one serum, moisturizer). The amount of bathroom drawer space this has freed up is impressive. However, if Bath and Body Works brings back my favorite retired scent of Country Apple, all bets are off, so I can stock up! Haha!
But this is the sort of collecting and storing away and mindlessly buying, consuming, and time-wasting I’ve done for so long. But being intentional requires a good bit of letting go, which can be hard. So, I made a little list of things I’m letting go of this new year.
Letting Go Of…
-Clothes that don’t fit me or the occasion. I’m home more than anywhere, and the old work clothes that no longer serve me are just taking up space. I’m also getting rid of ill-fitting clothes that are uncomfortable.
-Unrealistic expectations- See the facial creams above—Ditto for not moving my body because I don’t see immediate results. Patience has never been my strong suit, but I’ve got to get some!
-Time-wasters- I know I would be very rich if I had a dollar for every minute I waste on social media. Now, all social media is not bad, but I just know the time I spend there isn’t the best use of my time, and I could be doing so many other things with the time I spend there. I’ve found Instagram to be a quicker look/see for me than Facebook. My Facebook feed has become full of ads that I constantly have to scroll by, and I hate to admit it, but I am a sucker for reels and find myself getting sidetracked and down a rabbit hole on Facebook.
-Subscriptions- We are subscribed to a handful of streaming services, some of which are rarely watched. The unsubscribing will also apply to newsletter emails I no longer read, blog feeds that are no longer updated by the author, etc.
Panic Buying- I stay mostly prepared, but sometimes I will listen to something or someone that plants a seed of fear in me, and I feel like I need more. More food, more supplies, more everything, when what I have is sufficient.
YouTube Channels- This brings me to unsubscribing from several YouTube channels. I follow a few people in the preparedness community, but I have realized that some of these people have let their love of money and views trump common sense, and they are using a lot of fear-mongering to get said views and subscribers. When I am no longer learning and constantly feel anxious after watching them, that’s a huge red flag. I’m done with them.
But I Will…
There are some things I will continue to do that I feel are adding to my life instead of subtracting from it. Here is the good stuff:
-Learning a new language- I started using Duolingo to learn French, and I greatly enjoy it. I can already read some basic paragraphs and say some basic phrases in French. Why French? No idea.
-Library Visits- I have so many books on my to-read list, and the library is the most economical way to enjoy these books. I plan to visit as soon as next week.
-Prioritizing Sleep- Sleeping is one area that I am trying to do better about. I just now understand how important it is for your body to get a good night’s sleep. Some nights are hard due to pain, but I’m doing everything possible to set myself up for a good night.
Keep reading my Bible- I need this part of my day just like I need air. I know the most popular advice is to tackle this first thing in the morning, but I do so much better with this during the evening hours. It doesn’t matter when you do it.
I feel like I’ve droned on enough about my intentions, but I hope that I can look back in January of next year and see that I made good on most of these. Sometimes, I feel like my goals are so small and inconsequential, but it’s just where I am at this stage of my life, and I have to count even the small attempts and wins.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
I love your lists about being intntional of things to continue and to let go of in this new year. That is such a great word!
Good word and great logic!
I love it! I am also going to be intentional in my life with money and things. I am being intentional in getting rid of stuff and not buying more than we need.
I really appreciate your thoughts on being intentional and many apply to me too. Last year I was intentional in cleaning things out and getting rid of things I never used. I plan to work on that again and try not to collect “stuff” to that seems to fill in the spots I emptied!