Drastic changes, hastily made promises and ambitious plans – every January is the same old story. The beginning of a new year will always encourage a fresh start in some sense or another. The phrase 'out with the old, in with the new' rings in our ears as we look to overhaul aspects of our life with New Year's resolutions.
Fast forward a couple of months and you'll find that often, those resolutions have been broken, or worse, weren't attempted at all. It's almost inevitable, unless you set achievable goals.
Concentrating on one key commitment is a good approach. And where better to start than at home? By making some changes to the balance and feel of your home, you will be putting yourself well on the road to success for 2015 and enhancing your well-being.
Decluttering and simplifying the rooms of your house can have therapeutic effects. Nobody is suggesting you throw away half of your belongings or spend all of your January earnings on a decorating team to transform your home – even the smallest change can be a good one.
Rather than drastically throw things away, you can store and organise items you're not yet ready to part with. If you don't have much space at home a short or long-term storage solution could be the answer. Consider it an extension of your attic or garage, but perhaps more secure, that you can visit around the clock.
Take it slow when deciding what to keep or store, as you don't want to accidentally bin a family heirloom. Working on one room at a time, think carefully about what you want to change about it. For example, look at your bedroom. Is this the relaxing haven you long to dream in or is it a cluttered catastrophe? If not, consider if is there anything you could do to move it closer to your ideal? It may be as simple as rearranging furniture to give a little more light when you wake up in the morning.
How will each change help you?
Once you have made the commitment to enact these changes, you need to consider how they will actually help you in the long-term. Having your items stored away in an organised fashion will make it easy to access to bring things in and out of the home as the seasons change. For example, having the winter duvets stored during spring or camping equipment neatly tucked away until milder months.
Another small change, making more space in the garage for your other half will win you brownie points! Consider the significance of little adjustments like these and you will soon begin to reap the bigger benefits.
When people consider making changes in their home, the art of Feng Shui is often mentioned but rarely understood and implemented. Many shy away from it as they don't buy into the spiritual aspect of the philosophy, but it doesn't need to be all incense sticks and crystals – it's primarily about creating a happy environment for you to live in. Feng Shui good practice recommends a clear out each January as it gives you the opportunity to create a new, positive energy to help you start the year in the best possible frame of mind. Do it now while there's still time to keep that resolution!
As mentioned earlier, making even small changes can lead to positive results in many other aspects of your life – not least of all the fun, exciting resolutions you may have planned for 2015. Want to try a new hobby? Looking to read more or visit a new country? Believe it or not, making small changes in your home will give you a more organised mind-set which will put you on the right path for the year ahead. Storing away, donating or selling items will allow you to concentrate on your priorities, whilst ensuring you make the most of the items you decide to keep.
Revisiting the principles of Feng Shui, a home should be: totally clean inside and out, ready to welcome all new things and celebrate upcoming events, and it should reflect your positive mood and energy. You may not believe in the spiritual side of it, but with a little effort you can transform the feel of your home and ensure you have the time and opportunity to achieve great things in 2015.