I am participating in the ZonePerfect Blog It Forward program, and am receiving complimentary products as a thank you for my participation. I am encouraged to provide honest feedback, be it positive, neutral or negative! So just like always, all thoughts and opinions listed here are my own. 🙂 

For the past 2 years, Tim and I have switched from having a list of New Year’s Resolutions to having a word that captures our goals and dreams. The first year we did it, we chose the word rooted. Last year we went with awakening. We have actually found that we are far more successful at achieving our goals when we have a word to guide us and a theme, for lack of a better word, than simply a list.

So we put our heads together and talked about the itches we really needed to scratch in 2014. At first, they didn’t seem to jive.

I wanted to work on getting our house clutter-free and getting back into a workout routine so I could be healthier. Tim wanted to figure out how to manage his stress better (he started a new position at his job this year, and the stress level pretty much tripled over night for him).

But after going back and forth about the issues that went deeper than a clean kitchen and attending yoga classes, we found our word, indeed.

Sanctuary

photo credit: mudpig via photopin cc

Tim and I realized that at the heart of it all, we are both craving space and time that is calm, quiet, contemplative and that just feels good. We are both seeking some sanctuary in our lives, and this year, we are going to make space for it.

ZonePerfect challenged me to write a letter to my future self that encourages me to stay on track and that highlights some of the specific steps I plan to take to reach my goals. Just as I have enjoyed reading my previous entries about our words for the year, I smile at the thought of me reading this, likely right around this time next year. So let’s do it!

Dear “Zen Master” Tiffany of 2015, 

Look at you. Having the time to read. I bet you are sipping on iced coffee, munching on a ZonePerfect bar, and feeling great because you’ve already worked out today AND the house is looking good. High five, sister! I’m so glad we purged the home of all the clutter and developed new systems and habits aimed at bringing peace and happiness to the home.

I bet that Tim is less stressed these days, isn’t he? And tell me, what is it like for the girls to know where all of their toys live and to actually play with them all because they aren’t overwhelmed with options?

I’m very curious to hear if the professional organizer we hired was a game changer. Clearly I thought she would be, and opted to invest in her expertise. Over here on this side of 2014, I still feel very nervous. I feel like there’s a reason our house is so disorganized, and that’s because getting rid of stuff, in the quantity that we need to, is going to be emotionally draining. And finding new systems that actually work will be overwhelming, too. That’s why I’m hiring help!

My hope is that by truly getting the house under control and learning how to keep it that way, you and Tim have freed up time to work on your physical temples, creating more of a sanctuary there. You LOVE Zumba, and there’s no reason that you shouldn’t be back at it weekly by now. And with a little luck, you are making the yoga classes, too. Is Tim still waking up early so he can have time for meditation? He’s like a shiny, new and improved version of himself when he gets that quiet time, so I hope so!

What about breakfast? At the start of 2014 you were struggling to actually eat breakfast (a problem you have NEVER had before) because your work day starts so dang early (between 3:30 and 4:30 am). I’m just now getting back into the habit of reaching for a ZonePerfect bar instead of only drinking coffee, which I know is terrible for your body as its first fuel. I hope I have successfully changed this bad habit I was developing and now have healthy breakfast choices. And I hope I’m much less often starting the day at 3:30, too!

Thinking about what the start of 2015 might look like is really motivating. I know I have a long way to go to get there, but when I think about 2015 Tiffany and how she could feel, I think the pain is definitely worth the gain!

What are you working on for 2014? I’d love to hear about your word for the year, or any goals you have set for yourself. And if you have ever hired a professional organizer, PLEASE tell me about that experience! I’m excited, but definitely nervous, too!