Tag: New Year

Shari’s Thoughts on Her New Year Home Refresh

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After taking down the Christmas decorations, I spiraled into a cleaning and organizing rampage. I didn’t realize how much clutter the holidays can bring from storing gifts, receiving gifts, constantly wrapping gifts, along with adding more and more decorations to our already decorated home. My small space felt full yet still cozy, so I really didn’t mind. Once the holidays wrapped up and my husband and I started clearing out the tree, decorations, and finding homes for our new gifts then we could see our living space again and wow, just wow. 

I was so inspired by the sight of it that I decided everything needed to be dusted, the floors completely swept and mopped and some deep cleaning to start off the new year… which led to my post-holiday home refresh!

So how did I ring in the new year? Well thanks for asking! I rang in the new year by testing out my “new” steam mop (ahem I might have bought it in July)! It worked like a dream. My place is beautiful, clean and ready for 2022! My next tasks are to tackle each room and do the same… dust, vacuum, mop, and organize. I got most of our master bedroom accomplished as well. All in time for me to go back to the office, ha. 

Coming home every day this week has been a dream come true. To see our space not cluttered but open and clean has been the best gift I could have given myself entering the new year. I wouldn’t consider myself someone who likes to clean but I love when things are tidy and in their place. So the combination of both clean and tidy is a lovely combination. So how can you do this for yourself? 

It’s not rocket science or anything complex or complicated. You can follow these basic steps to get you started on a new year home refresh:

1. Simply pick one room or area in your house or apartment to start with. 

2. Clean up any piles or clutter that you’ve been avoiding or letting stack up. I know you have them, we all do. Throw stuff that isn’t important away. You’d be surprised with the items you hang onto but don’t need.

3. Dust by taking items off the shelf or surface of what you’re cleaning.

4. Move furniture to sweep and/steam mop.

5. Find a place or container for things so that you can keep it organized for a longer period of time.

6. Label and group items in areas that make sense and are helpful to you.

7. Ultimately once you are done, sit back and enjoy the beauty of your own home. 

This is the process I used last week to declutter and refresh my home and let me tell you… it was worth the time and effort! Happy home refresh and have a sparkling clean new year!

Shari on having a Merry ‘slow’ Christmas and Happy ‘relaxing’ New Year

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When trying to think of a topic to blog about this week, I felt stuck. What could I possibly talk about that would resonate with our readers, friends, and family. Honestly, we all know it is a busy season with Christmas only days away and the New Year countdown shortly after. This month is like every other month before it… just flying right on by. Then I realized the most obvious topic to talk about in this end of year madness is something I embarked on only a week ago. I decided to take a challenge at the end of the year and practice slowing down. This practice of slowness can apply to so many things you typically do. Already I have gone on a slow walk, listened to slow music, brushed my teeth slowly, took on a task at work and didn’t rush myself through it, baked cookies and just enjoyed the process and so many other things.

SLOW. 

What a concept. Especially during the busiest time of year, I’m practicing going slow. Leaning into quiet, nothing, and allowing those moments to completely fill me up to the brim. Slow is something that I was forced to do when COVID initially shut down everything. My schedule was halted, my routine disrupted, and the struggle to find a new ‘busy’ began… but I am enjoying the idea of intention around doing things slower and the reflection that it brings. How would you feel if you decided to wash your hands slower, stop and take in a deep breath of fresh air, sat in silence for a few minutes, or took a nap? What does that do to your perspective, what does it do for you, and your day?

In the past week, my workplace has opened back up to most of the staff and my team has gone back. My work from home time has come to an end and I had very mixed feelings about it. I was both so excited to see my coworkers in-person again and simultaneously sad to leave the comfort and convenience of my own home. This process of slowing down has been really nice to incorporate into my work day. I notice myself slowly sipping tea, standing more than I did at home, getting outside for fresh air and walks. Although I miss being home and laying on the couch if I needed to, I am really enjoying the perks of being back in the office and I am trying to appreciate the little things as I ease back in. 

This slow challenge couldn’t come at a better time (in the midst of change, the holidays, and the brink of a new year)! I challenge you to consider slowness and how you can incorporate it into your life through a simple task every day. The challenge that I am participating in is called 75 Slow if you want to look into it for yourself. The concept is simple and extremely beneficial. So Merry ‘slow’ Christmas and have a Happy ‘relaxing’ New Year, my friends!