Last Updated on February 15, 2024 by Stacy Averette
DECLUTTER!
That’s my #wordfortheyear
I’m on a mission to declutter my home and my life. I love these two quotes!
Most of us who are weighed down by mental clutter—the to-do lists and calendar activities cataloged in our brain—find a shocking amount a relief when we cut back on our physical clutter. If your environment is less chaotic, your mind will be, too. Erica Layne
Decluttering is infinitely easier when you think of it as deciding what to keep, rather than deciding what to throw away. Francine Jay
Declutter Projects
Project #declutter20 started with Christmas decor!
I’ve taken down my tree and gotten rid of the decorations I don’t love or use anymore.
I let go of a lot of stuff!
It felt good to create space.
(My attic is still full of my kids’ toys and keepsakes but those don’t bother me.)🏡
Besides Christmas decor, I’ll be sorting, purging, and organizing in the next few months: closets, papers, dishes, movies, (I’ve already sent several boxes of books to the thrift store!)
#declutter20 is off to a good start but it’s about more than removing material possessions.
I’ll be focused on eliminating a few things from my life this year, too:
- sugar and diet soda
- negative thoughts about myself or others
- complaining and criticism
I want to create space for God to live and move in and through me.
Our church is focusing on Revival this year and our pastor and staff are preaching and teaching about how to experience personal revival.
I’m starting a sugar-fast tomorrow with my sister and another group of ladies. This isn’t my first sugar fast. You can click here to read about what I did and why in 2017.
WARNING:
While searching “sugar” on my blog to find the other posts I’ve written related to sugar, I found the post: Easy Cinnamon Sugar Waffles. Oh. My. Goodness. If you like waffles (and sugar) you’ll love this recipe. If you’re sugar-fasting DO NOT CLICK THE LINK. Just seeing the picture made me drool.
Anyway.
Here’s the book we’re using during the sugar fast: (I’m required by law to tell you that this is an affiliate link. If you make a purchase using this link, I’ll be paid a small percentage through the Amazon Affiliate program at no extra cost to you.)
I’m enjoying this book so far. There’s a short introductory section that explains the purpose and process and then the rest of the book is like a daily devotional to walk readers through the 40 Day fast.
I’m also decluttering my social media/phone habits.
This quote from Wendy’s book spoke to me:
What do you turn to instead of Him? If you find that you habitually run to anything but Him, I urge you to deal with your wandering prayerfully and to seek Him faithfully. The 40-Day Sugar Fast, p.33
I didn’t have to read this in her book to know it’s true. Sugar isn’t the only thing I turn to instead of Him. Scrolling and watching Instagram stories are right up there with sugar when it comes to my wandering habits.
And in the spirit of full disclosure, I deleted the Woody Block Puzzle app from the phone, too. It’s the only game I’ve ever played on my phone and I might miss it more than sugar.
Seriously. Isn’t it crazy how addicted we can get to the dumbest stuff!!
I don’t think spending time on social media or your phone is all bad but I’ve gotten into the habit of turning to it when I should be doing other things.
I’ve tried limiting my time there but I probably don’t have to tell you how that goes. So for the next few weeks, I’m stepping away from Facebook (my personal timeline) Instagram, and my phone in general. I’ll use it as a tool to communicate rather than a way to entertain myself.
I’ll still be posting on my FB page—Stacy Averette Blog. Since there’s no access to the feed from a FB page I won’t be tempted to scroll.
I’ll also be focused on writing here on my blog and working on some other writing projects that need to be finished.
Fill Me Up, Lord
We have everything we need in life to make us happy but often lack the conscious awareness to appreciate it.
I came back from my trip to Africa in 2016 with a renewed commitment to be happy and choose joy in all circumstances. And for a while I was and I did.
Then I let stuff and negative thoughts and fear and difficult circumstances overwhelm me.
I LET THEM.
I know life is hard and heartbreaking at times. But how we think about our circumstances and what we make them mean about us and our life will determine how we feel and act.
We know that God is good. He loves us. He has a plan. He is with us. He promised to help us.
But if we turn to other things—material possessions that clutter, sugary treats that pack on pounds and guilt, and social media that distracts from what’s right in front of us we give our minds and hearts free rein to wander from life-changing Truth.
Isn’t it easy to fill our lives with so much and leave little room for God?
But nothing satisfies like Jesus!
I’m so glad He’s always ready to help us make a fresh start!
Do you need to declutter anything from your home or life? Is your heart’s cry “Fill me up, Lord” but your life is too full to hold anything else?
Let’s do this!
To hold myself accountable I’ll share an update each week and it would be way more fun if you’d join me! #declutter20
Leave a comment or send me an email and let me know how I can help and encourage you on your journey! I’d love to hear from you.
If you know someone who needs to be encouraged to declutter a few things from life, please share this post. Here are a couple of easy ways to share:
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As always, thanks for reading.
Eric and I are in a new season of life.
2020 is the beginning of a new adventure for us and I’ll be sharing more about that in an upcoming post, so stay tuned.
I’m linking up with Richella at the Grace at Home Party. If you want to make your home a grace-filled place you can find lots of posts about DIY projects, decorating, recipes, hospitality, homemaking tips, parenting, marriage, faith, self-care, and soul care. Click here see more great posts!
I haven’t yet chosen my word for the year (still working on the best way to capture what I need!), but decluttering is DEFINITELY one of my goals. I like the way you’re approaching things!!
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Richella, thank you! Love your Grace at Home parties. I’ve been so inspired by what you share!