A New Year- A Fresh Perspective

Happy New Year!

A new start...
A fresh perspective...
Don't we all like a chance to start over, to sit back and evaluate what in life we are doing right, what things we want to change, and definitely what things we just would rather leave behind and forget?

This is why I love the New Year. It gives me an opportunity for a clean slate and a moment to reflect on my life.What things do you want to do this year? What goals and accomplishments do you hope to achieve? Whatever they may be, it is always fun to talk about some ideas. Since we are all Cottage Chicks together here, I thought I would share some ideas and thought about the idea of creating "cottage lifestyle".

How do we create a cottage lifestyle right where we live, whether it be a small farmhouse, a beach bungalow, or a city highrise apartment. Cottage life is a state of being and living. A place we come to that says"home". I am going to take bit of a departure and look at some simple things we can do to start "living" our dream cottage life, and putting the busy rat-race behind.

1. Simplify simplify, simplify
Whether it be schedules, in our homes, or in our families. Find ways to simplify every area of your life, and you will feel a new perspective. Make more time for the people and things you love, and try to cut off things that completely drain your energy. Sometimes this is as simple as a change in our schedule or a simple to-do list to help us focus on the things that we really want to be doing.

2. Declutter
Decluttering can be done in our closets, drawers, even our junk mail and email inbox,, and every other area of our life. Do you have any area of your home or life you would like to declutter? I know I would! This is a constant job and I look always perpetually for areas to clean out and create clean new space so I can function at a higher level of calmness. Everyone around me benefits as I do this. There is something about seeing cleaned out and decluttered makes me feel recharged and happy. It is quite addictive!

3. Feed your Senses
Through sight, sounds, color, and nature. Use your favorite color in your home in some way, or add in splashes of a new hue for your cottage home. Create serenity with quietness at sometime in the day. Put on some rejuvenating and restful music. Read a good book that takes you away to a place of escape. Go sit in a park or in your garden and enjoy listening to nature. Perhaps you can take a trip to the beach to hear the crash of the waves and feel the wind on your face.Nothing renews us more than taking in God's creation which was created for our pleasure.

4. Start a new project
Maybe there is something you have been putting off doing. This may be the year for starting something new. You might have a piece of furniture that could use a perk of new paint. Or a room in need of a fresh color change. What about a new craft project you would like to tackle? What about a new flower garden? Its fun to work with our hands, whether indoors or out. It is always good to feed the creative side of us. It is good for the soul.

5. Start something new, let something go.
This may be the year for you to start a new habit, or lose a bad one. Maybe you want to reconnect with some precious friends. Or is it a time for shedding some extra pounds? Getting up and moving more, and eating less? Be sure to look forward and not backwards. Keep your eyes on the goal and pressing on toward the new things you are starting and leaving the past behind.

6. Love yourself and love others.
There is nothing better than that! It is God's greatest and simplest command in the Bible. If we can do these two things, than all the rest will fall into place. Take time for yourself, your family, and friends. There is no greater treasure than our life and being surrounded by the ones we love. Cherish each moment you have and never take it for granted.

Happy New Year!