Cape House | Home & Hospitality Boutique | Amelia Island, FL

Happy New Year, friends!

Today is officially my first day back to work after a week full of Christmas celebrations and new year prep.
As much as I love to decorate for Christmas early (November 11th this year, to be exact), I think it’s safe to say I love getting an early start on taking them down even more. By 5pm on Christmas day, I am antsy to start stripping away all the extra layers of clutter in my home in preparation for a fresh start to the new year.

It doesn’t just end with garland and lights – every drawer, every closet, and every cabinet gets the de-clutter treatment. Year after year, I ask myself, “How do I accumulate this much junk in one year? Didn’t I just clean these closets and cabinets last year at this same time?” It’s amazing how much disorder 365 days of build up can create!

And then, as I was dragging out the 4 millionth trash bag to the donate pile, it hit me: in the same way we clean and purge the things in our home to start fresh with motivation for the new year, we have to do the same within ourselves.

Don’t get me wrong, the quest for a settled and uncluttered soul has been top priority and topic of study for the past five years for me. This was not a new revelation – that “donate” pile was just a tangible representation of creating order and room in my home for rest that I knew needed to be done (AGAIN) in my soul. ‬‬

I want to hold on to the good and eternal things and clear out the clutter. I want to maintain order and daily routines and disciplines that will keep me from being in the same place next year in my home and in my my soul – to let each morning feel like a new year, like anything is possible – a fresh start!

So, my goal for 2018: say no to more things and yes to more important things.

Easy enough, right?!

No to the 47 string art projects and yes to the handprints and “Mommy, I love you” cards.

No to another evening of commitments and yes to a night at home.

No to another episode of Fuller House and yes to reading a book or meaningful conversations.

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭NLT

If I’m not alone in this, I would encourage you to look into the books below! And if this is just me, thank you in advance for holding me accountable this year.

Cheers!

Cape House | Home & Hospitality Boutique | Amelia Island, FL

Present Over Perfect – Shauna Nequeist
The Best Yes – Lisa Teurkurst
For The Love – Jen Hatmaker
Grace, Not Perfection & A Simplified Life – Emily Ley
Rhythms of Grace – Kerri Weems
Cultivate What Matters – Lara Casey