word of the year. simplify.

I thought my word was going to be healthy. I had already started writing...

But then I picked up a book on Friday that has so motivated me, so much so that I cleaned out my pantry { <-- this is serious }. Organized Simplicity, The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider.

My word for 2012 is Simplify {  to make less complex or complicated; make plainer or easier }. I am not sure if I was just really ready, or if she said it in such a way that I can see it, taste it, almost touch it. What it means to me? Stop wasting time on things that don't matter. Get rid of stuff that keeps me from having more time with friends and family. I want to make fresh almond butter and jelly sandwiches and eat homemade chocolate chip cookies my friends*. Sip coffee and enjoy a magazine.

Some of my goals for living more simply...

Become a better cook. I really desire to cook as much as I can for my family. In the last year, we've moved away a lot from processed foods, this is a bit of a natural progression, but I need to go that last mile and actually cook more { from scratch }. Simplifying is a means for me to create more intentional time to learn. I want to use my fancy dehydrator for more than a place for my foam paint brushes to sit.

Throw out half my house. Not really, just the closets full of STUFF. Stuff I can't enjoy or wouldn't miss... { like the tea in my pantry from 2008 }. Too much laundry, I'm great at washing it, but not so much at getting it folded - my laundry room will probably be one of my greatest de-clutter challenges. I threw out 4 large garbage bags of worthless stuff / old food from my pantry and cupboards the last 2 days... pictures soon.

Read. Never enough time to pick up a good book. Make time each morning for the One who gives me this talent...

Making time for quality downtime. Quit over-scheduling. Say no occasionally. Hang out with my husband. Play with my kids without looking at the clock. Cut back on the tube time.

Work a little less. 4 days a week instead of 5. Give myself one day of downtime to try something new, be creative, or take a nap... dehydrate something.

--> and going to bed on time. A huge problem for me, the night owl. But I have to...

* I have a girlfriend I've known since first grade. We don't get to see each other that much these days. I love going to her home. It's so clutter free and well... simple. So warm and easy, clean, always something homemade to offer me - the best - almond butter sandwiches and almost always, chocolate chip cookies from scratch. I want to be her when I grow up. 


What's your word?