Clear the Clutter (2021 Edition)

Hello and Welcome 2021!! It is truly a blessing to say Happy New Year! If this is your first visit to Damn Good Life Blog, "Hey! I'm glad you're here!". If you're already apart of the DGL community, "It's good to have you back!" What a heck of a year we had. I hope you're staying safe, healthy, and wearing a mask. Now, we all know that just because it's a new year not much will be changing for the foreseeable future. We still have to be mindful of ourselves and those around us. 

While most of us are cringing at the thought of bringing up the year that belongs in the history books, tucked away in a dark corner of a library somewhere, myself included, I'm also very thankful for it. I learned a lot! So much that I felt like I was back in school at times. I'm appreciative of the extra time I had because it allowed me to be present, reflect on myself, and positively be grateful for the valuable lessons I learned.

One of the biggest things I felt that came to light and may have been challenged at times this past year were core values. I'll be the first person to tell you, I'm far from perfect but I hold myself to a high standard. That's not to say you don't but it'll give you a little perspective as to how I managed to make it through 2020.

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Unfollow in R.L. 

With quarantine locking everyone down, this was a super easy one! I know you know what I'm talking about. You may have even felt a sense of relief knowing that you wouldn't have to interact with certain individuals who just aren't genuinely good people. The kind that are passive-aggressive and can make you feel like you're failing at life. Yes, I'm talking about the people who when they walk into a room you are looking for the nearest exit or already have an escape route mapped out. This doesn't automatically mean they are an enemy but simply someone you don't particularly enjoy sharing your circle and time with. That's OK! And when restrictions lift, don't feel guilty for keeping that distance.

Clear the Social Clutter

I feel like a total novice when it comes to social media now. Before starting my blog, I didn't engage on social media platforms for 4 years! Nowadays, everyone has a cell phone so I preferred to call or send a text because it has a more personal touch. When it came time to reengage on social media, I took the concept of unfollowing in real life, to unfollowing on social media to get the clutter and negativity out of the way. How? 

I opened my "friend's list" and started asking myself these 3 questions for each person:

• Have I and ['enter name'] engaged in the last 30 days?
• How does this person make me feel?
• Do ['enter name'] and I have anything in common anymore?

If the answers were 'no' or 'negative', I went ahead and unfriended them. It may sound a tad bit harsh or selfish but allowing people to speak directly or indirectly into your life affects you. You owe it to yourself to have uplifting and positive people in your circle because you are worth it!

Create Healthy Boundaries

This may sound like a daunting task but it is a necessary one. Too often we over commit ourselves and our schedule starts to overflow and it can quickly cause unneeded frustration. We spread ourselves too thin and the result of that can be unproductive and even devastating. Learning to be ok with saying, "NO" is paramount for a healthy you. Don't feel guilty with this one even when it gets tough and you feel some push back. Be kind to yourself. Remind yourself it is for the good of everyone involved that you keep your sanity when it comes to time and space.

Sanctify Your Space

Start with the room you spend the most time in. The bedroom! Yes, we spend more than a third of our lives in this one room and it should make you feel good! Invest in your space. Purify it and make it your own! One year I received the best gift. A new set of bedsheets! Not just any bed sheets but the silkiest, soft like butter sheets from here. Make your bed, fold any laundry, and remove all items not frequently used. You'll notice a difference right away! Don't stop there though! Finish creating the atmosphere with a few essentials:

• Cozy Comforter
• Sherpa Blanket Fleece Throw
• Textured Soft Throw
• Contoured Eye Mask
• Wood Tissue Dispenser
• Himalayan Salt Lamp
• DoTerra Diffuser + Introductory Kit
• Potted Plant or Flowers (my fav-are Orchids!)

A good rule of thumb I was taught growing up, is the "3-to-5". The basis is, you want to have no more than 5 items on a surface and no less than 3. Play around with it! Declutter your space and make it cozy and comforting.

Jot It Down

Last but certainly not least, have a little something on your nightstand for you to write down any last thoughts of the day. If you're anything like me, there's always a thought or an idea, something I need to add to my schedule, or just something I don't want to forget. Before I started this little, last-minute self-check-in, I'd go to bed thinking I'll remember 'that' in the morning, only to wake up and not remember!  To help you, I came across this amazing evening Gratitude Reflection Journal that goes further in-depth about your day so you can look back on it at a later date!

All in all, my hope for 2021 is that you focus on adding more positivity to your life and start to understand your worth. You are amazing! You are special! You are worth loving! There is no one like you. If it is selfish to work on yourself, then so be it! And-Hey!, remember we can't change the past so focus on the future and move mountains!

Let me know what goals you've made or going to add for 2021 in the comments below! 

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