I love this time of year.  The dreamers, visionaries, and those who have already found their rainbow connection are out in full force, celebrating the opportunity to be someone else….to be who they always knew they could be.  It’s the one time each year we start to think about the future…who we want to be..how we’re going to be different. It’s a fresh start. A time for change.

Many of us may employ the “Keep. Donate. Toss” method during this time of year. We’re clearing out the old and making room for the new. We delve into our closets, clean out the toy box, and remove the clutter. We re-organize, shuffle, and bring order where there was none. We evaluate what we need, what we use, and what is no longer beneficial to us. But how many of us stop to use the same method on OURSELVES. It’s time to take a hard look at our life and figure out what we need to keep, donate, and toss.

Here are a few guiding questions and prompts to get you thinking. I find that this activity will be the most effective if you write down your answers. Be thoughtful and intentional as you evaluate your life and the changes you’d like to make in the coming year.

Keep

  • What are you doing that is working?
  • When are you at your BEST?
  • In what ways are you thriving?
  • What successes would you like to build upon?

Think about the habits, relationships, projects and pursuits, etc that are working for you. What in your life makes you happy? When you are at your best, what are you doing? Focus on those things. Make time for them. Fill up your life with what works. Throw yourself into the things you are passionate about.

Donate

  • Where do you want to spend your time in the coming year?
  • How do you want to direct your finances?
  • What do you want to give of yourself?

How will you invest your time in the coming year? What have you neglected or given up that you’d like to return to? Who or what do you want to invest in? Will you be more present in the lives of your children? Do you want to spend more quality time with your spouse? Will you re-connect with friends and family? Is there a cause you’d like to volunteer with? Do you need to spend more time in God’s Word? In prayer? Is there a hobby or lost passion you’ve pushed to the side?

Toss

  • What do you want to change about yourself?
  • What isn’t working in your life? What steps can you take to change that? How could it be better? What can you do to help?

What needs change? Think about what you are doing when you are stressed or frustrated. How could those experiences change or be improved upon? What can you delegate? Is there something you can take off of your plate in the coming year? Is there a negative relationship you need to step back from? Are you engaging in a habit or activity that is unhealthy to you either physically, emotionally, or spiritually? Are there things you’ve pursued for the wrong reason? Are you investing time and energy into something you’re not passionate about? Are there any major time-wasters in your life? What are you doing that keeps you from your “keep” pile?

 

Blessings to you as you seek to re-organize your life and improve upon yourself and your happiness in the coming year.

 

*Image credit to spacebag.org