new years rituals
simple rituals for slow movers to usher in a new year with intention
Some people like to hit the ground running on January 1st with goals for the new year. I am not one of those people. I like to slowly ease into the year with gentleness. I like to take time to digest the madness of the holidays and reflect on the year that has just come to a close. I have a few rituals that really help me with this process of slowing down, reflecting and intention setting. This one is for all my fellow slow pokes out there.**
I like to think of my rituals in phases — phase one is all about clearing, phase two is about grounding and phase three is about reflecting and intention setting. You can strictly divide them and move through to the next one as you complete each phase, or if you’re like me you can mix and match as it feels right to you.
**I do acknowledge that we are in the second week of January and it’s insane to feel like a ‘slow poke’ for not having your shit figured out for the year… Can we give ourselves some grace here please??
Phase One: Clearing
I don’t know about you, but I can’t even begin to really focus if my physical space is in chaos. I like to do a weekly reset tidy, but since I had guests over and the holidays threw my normal routines off track, I was due for a major tidy and organize. I like to go room by room with the tidy, starting with the kitchen. If I’m feeling extremely unmotivated, I will set a timer for 15-30 minutes and just do whatever I can in that timeframe. I live in a small space so maybe that amount of time is wild to you, just do what you can.
Kitchen Tidy
Wash dishes and clear out the sink
Wipe down the stove
Clear off kitchen table and clean with vinegar spray
Clear off counter top and clean with vinegar spray
Clean out Refrigerator - this is VERY important and honestly life changing. I recently started doing a weekly fridge clean out and wipe down and it makes it so much easier to know what I have in there.
Take everything out shelf by shelf
Wipe down each shelf with vinegar spray
Throw away/compost anything old
Hand wash produce and cheese drawers
Reorganize
Bedroom Tidy
Wipe down and dust dresser tops & night stands
Vacuum
Clean mirror
Make the bed
Wash sheets if I’m really feeling committed
General decluttering
Bathroom Tidy
Clean bathroom countertop
Wipe mirror
Clean toilet
Vacuum floor
Wash towels & rug