What Are YOU Doing with Your New Year?

I love new years—the fresh starts, new habits, and the grand opportunity to leave a few things behind.

Every year I create challenges for myself. No one tells me to do it and there’s no great reward at the end. The stakes are basically nothing. Sometimes, I invite others to join me, which, at least on the surface, creates a little accountability.

Last year, I created the Lighten Your Load, Lighten Your Life challenge. I planned to let go of five ‘things’ every day, all year.

I created a private Facebook group and invited others to join me in the challenge, choosing their own ‘number.’ About thirty people did join me. And what’s really remarkable is that we continued all year.

We shared not only how we were lightening our loads but the struggles and the triumphs in doing so. We posted clever quotes and memes and all manner of inspiration.

We shared decluttering tips and organizing hacks, plus great resources for giving away or recycling stuff.

I worried in the first few months that we would not be able to sustain the momentum, but we did it. Some people came and went, popping in occasionally with ideas and triumphs. Others faithfully posted pictures and stories of letting go of so much.

It was super inspiring. For the first few months, I really did get rid of five things a day and documented it in writing and pictures in the group and on a calendar at home.

Eventually, though, I realized the daily habit had morphed into an attitude. I didn’t need to keep count because I was living lighter – buying less, letting go of more. Literally, hundreds of articles of clothing and books left our house. I streamlined the kitchen and donated all the extra dishes and gadgets I rarely (if ever) used.

I sorted out some of the kid leftovers piled in our barn, threw away the garden supplies peed on by the barn cats, gave away cords and cables, piles of picture frames, and pretty much all the stuff I was hanging onto ‘just in case.’

One tip from the group: If you can replace it in twenty minutes or for twenty dollars, let it go.

I feel lighter, but I know I’m not finished. There is more to go. And I haven’t even made a dent in the digital piles. My son looked over my shoulder at the email on my phone recently and was horrified that I had 30,000 unread emails.

I’m pretty sure they are all junk. I don’t know when it got out of control, but now it just seems like too much, and I don’t even notice the little number there unless Nick points it out (it also horrifies him). Maybe this year I’ll finally clear them all out, but likely not, as there seems to be no simple or quick way to do it.

This year I’ve got a few challenges for myself. I want to find a ‘path to publication’ for at least two of the three manuscripts I’ve got in the works. Life is too short to let them linger on my computer. There are more books to write!

My other challenge is Dry January. I’ve never done it before but decided it was time. I’m chronicling that journey over on Substack, taking a deep dive into the role alcohol has played, and continues to play, in my life.

There’s a grid of letters I see posted on social media this time of year. It says the first three words you see are your words for 2025. (It used to be one word, didn’t it? But that’s a lot of pressure on one word.)

I glanced at a grid posted by author Dara Levan on Instagram, and my words were: gratitude, creation, and change. I love those words. I plan to live them this year.

Just in case you’re still looking for inspiration or need a few words for yourself, here’s the grid Dara posted:

How are you heading into the new year – any challenges, goals, plans, dreams? I’d love to hear about them and cheer you on.

Hey, thanks for reading. I know you’ve got lots of options, so thanks for sharing a few of your minutes with me.

Honored,

Cara

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I’d love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Substack, and I’m thrilled to get email from readers (and writers), you can reach me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.

My latest novel, Blind Turn is a mother-daughter story of forgiveness in the aftermath of a fatal texting and driving accident. It won the Womens Fiction category of the American Writing Awards. Learn more about it and find out how to get your copy here.