Cleaning Out the Closets

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” — Herman Hesse

Hello people of the interwebs!  I have started a million blogs in the past and while some have sustained change in my life for a while, they have eventually faded in their usefulness in my life.  But I think it is time to try again. In an attempt to live more purposefully and find a little more clarity I would like to spend more time this year lightening my load - figuratively and literally.  This morning, while talking to my dear friend Laura, the perfect way to do this lightening threw itself into my path: a 365 day challenge.  All I have to do is get rid of one thing a day for 365 days.  Easy!

That remains to be seen.

It is funny how fast things accumulate.  All it takes is me watching an episode of Hoarders or one of my well meaning friends/family/strangers to make a comment and I get defensive and angry about my stuff.  As a disclaimer, I am not a Hoarder nor am I even close! I don't own any cats.  I do have too many books.  And I live in a house with no storage.  Like it or not, my stuff is starting to own me a little too much  for my liking.

It's time to make some changes.

2011 brought so many good and crazy things into my life.  It brought me yoga and an opened mind and heart and desire to live with more intention.  It brought me struggle with changing my physical body.  And it brought me love in so many ways big and small.  It also brought me the realization that I cannot open my life up to the good I'm being offered if I don't have space (literally and figuratively) for that good.  It's time to clean out my closets (and my garage) and make room for the things I truly want in my life.

For the next 365 days, Laura and I will be posting here to share with everyone the things we are getting rid of this year.  365 things that need to find a different home.  365 big and small things that are just taking up space in our lives, not making them better.  While I'd like to make bold promises about posting everyday - I realize that this is not always practical or possible so I will reserve the right to post a few days of things at a time.  No matter how frequently I blog, one thing is leaving my house (and no, it is not just moving to work!) every day for the next 365 days.

Oh and while I'm at it, I plan on losing 60 pounds too.

Here's to a fabulous, change-filled 2012!

Rachel