Happy 2024! Whether you had a 2023 you don’t want to forget, or one you wish you could, let’s all hope 2024 is one of amazing memories and a fantastic year for everyone!
There are lots of ideas and names for this that I’m talking about in this blog, but I call it the ‘Plus 1, Minus 1 Theory’ and I think the start to a new year is the best way to kick this off, both metaphorically and physically. We are talking about all things self-care, mental health and decluttering. Most people see this on social media for a month here and there with the idea of “challenges” but I am going to work this into your life to help better your soul. What is this theory? It’s the idea that in order to take something into your life, you must let go of something else. Pretty simple right? Let’s see. There’s an old Irish tradition that on New Years Eve the Irish open their back doors to let the old year out and open their front doors to let the new year in. I like that. Simple, but thoughtful and meaningful. So we are going to do this in a similar way, but with our pillars and own ideas that we have gathered.
This theory does not test nor disregard what we have talked about in other posts, and it depends on where you are in your journey. If this is something you feel you can start right away, great! If not, try 6 months from now. I shared in my last post that this year is the year of great Karma and once you are ready, we will take care of ourselves and then pour from a full cup!
Let’s start off with self-care.
SELF-CARE
What do we mean when we talk about self-care first? This section can and often does cross over into the other pillars (and that’s ok)! So for this, let’s focus on the simple – things like, long bubble baths, spa days, cryo, mani/pedi trips, naps, meditation, healthcare routines etc. Things you do for YOU and you alone. The key (and read closely and take this to heart because this is especially hard for givers {like Enneagram 2}, people pleasers, helpers etc.) we must take care of ourselves before helping others.
Some examples of the Plus 1, Minus 1 Theory for Self-Care would be…
You take a long wonderful bubble bath, then take a friend out to lunch.
You take a needed (or unneeded nap), then read a book or watch a movie with your child.
You can take that extra yoga class you signed up for and then take your spouse to the airport, rather than have him/her drive themselves.
Taking something for yourself to care for your inner god or goddess is much needed, and then giving of yourself and your time, energy and love.
Make sense? Let’s continue!
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health and Self-Care are quite similar but I am going to separate the two by categorizing Mental Health here like, going out into nature, sitting by water, exercising, talking to someone you trust, and journaling. Things you can do to improve your endorphins and truly change your brain chemistry – because in reality, there is science to back this up!
Some examples of the Plus 1, Minus 1 Theory for the Mental Health pillar might include:
Working out/going for a run in nature, and then calling a friend to check in on them.
Driving to a calm lake or the ocean and putting on some soothing music and letting your thoughts float away, and then meeting a group of friends for lunch.
Journaling for a while, and then volunteering or donating your time.
The idea of this theory is to prepare your mental space for yourself and then allow your self the time and love to share it with others!
DECLUTTERING
Call this a New Years Resolution or call it whatever you want, but I think this is most likely what you are most familiar with when it comes to this topic. This is all over social media with challenges and things throughout the year, but I want to take it one step further. I am going to use myself as an example. Just this morning, I ‘treated’ myself to a cute new shirt and hat. But, to follow this Theory, I have to get rid of at LEAST 1 shirt, and either one hat, or something else to prepare my space to welcome in my new items. That’s what the decluttering pillar of this Theory is all about.
Now, we can take it a step more, which I did personally earlier last year. It felt great. Here’s the way *I* handled my clutter, feel free to copy or come up with your own way!
Grab multiple trash bags. Label each of the trash bags “Donate” “Trash” “Garage Sale”. (If you need multiple bags for each category, that’s great!)
First: I simply went through and just created piles. I started with piles.
Clothes that didn’t fit, that were alcohol related (I had a lot of those!), that were out of style, or that I know I just simply would not wear again. Then, based on the wear and tear I organized them into the bags. That didn’t take long at all!
Second: I moved on to my shoes. Same with the shoes.
Moving through my closet. I went through all my drawers and my hanging items with the same approach for everything.
Before I knew it, bags were full and I needed more. The fullest bags were the “Donate” bags. I wasn’t after getting money for my items so IF anything was going in the Garage Sale, I thought about it and just chose to discontinue that bag all together and put it in the Donate ones. (Garage Sales are such a pain in the butt anyway)
Then I moved into my bathroom and my home office. Same process, same result. It was a HUGE result with very little work in fact, because I had a plan from the start. I ended up Minus way more than I Plus-ed on that category, but decluttering just in time for the New Year left me in a great mental space for…well, ME!
Here are some useful tips for Decluttering:
-Ask yourself if it’s “the best, your favorite or necessary”
-Does it spark joy?
-Declutter by area
-Pretend you’re moving (this is a mental trick and makes it more fun)
-Don’t buy containers for storage UNTIL you’re done purging
-If you just thought something was ‘ok’, you won’t start liking/loving it later
That’s the Plus 1, Minus 1 Theory!
What do you think? I hope you will join me on this journey employing this theory this year. I’m excited about it also! I’m looking forward to all this year has to offer, but more importantly – what I have to offer this year. Remember, the days are only as magical as you make them!
The goal of these blogs is to set intentions and to manifest a beautiful and purposeful life! To find beauty in the ugliest of places and to find light in the darkest.
Come with me on this journey as we discover a pathway to healing, health, purpose and joy!
And remember: Don’t take life too seriously, no one gets out alive!
Awaken Your Soul's Potential 