I'm Not Taking it Down!

Any other holdouts? 

This is the longest I've ever kept the tree up. (She's a fake, you see, so there are no needles dropping). 

I just don't want to take it down. I don't want that dark corner in the living room. I don't want the Christmas feeling to fade. 

In past years I've been anxious to get the Christmas decorations packed away because I "needed the space." I couldn't stand the clutter after December 31 or so. 

However, this year I've made so much progress on clearing out the clutter. Not just in the house but in life. Our Christmas season was so fun and simple. We said 'no' to several long-standing commitments that were no longer working for us. I scaled back the decorations. I've gotten a lot better at intentional gift giving. Before I buy something I stop and question "where is this going to live in the house?" 

Yes, a lot of new items came into our living space this Christmas season but as we simplify we're in a continuous process of deciding which items we can do without. I was housebound with a sick kid today so another bag of donation items made it's way to my car trunk. I cleaned out two drawers and filled a recycle bin. 

Getting organized is not a one time thing -- it's an ongoing process. But once you get the hang of it you'll find it leads to so much more space in your life. Space for things you really love. Like keeping the spirit of Christmas alive for as long as you'd like and not feeling like you have to pack it away just to make space. Because you've already committed to making all the space you need. 

I feel like our beautiful little tree is testament to how much progress we made in 2016 in focusing on how we want our space and lives to be. I want that testament to glow a little longer. There was even some discussion at dinner the other night about decorating it with some paper hearts. That we could make together. With the time we've made in life for each other, instead of what other people might want us to do. So, we'll see. I think it could look cute with Easter eggs too. #familyfirst #priorities #cleartheclutter