Exercise: Bringing the new year into focus

Identifying baby steps toward change

Most of us want less cluttered lives. We’re trying to make room for the important, joyful stuff in our homes, schedules and minds. Simple, but not easy.

As we consider change, how do we decide what to leave behind? Or what to add? Or when to be patient and just leave well enough alone?

In Minimalist Parenting, Christine and I included an exercise that helped us answer these questions. Or at least begin to answer them.

MINIMALIST PARENTING was published in 2013. My kids were 13 and 9 and the world (and I) were on firmer footing back then.

I page through the book now and am moved by what we wrote. I’m relieved that much still applies today, including this simple exercise for clarifying next steps.

The More and Less List

The More and Less list is a flexible, low-key tool for noticing where you are and thinking about where you want to go. Many of us are peering into the fog of the future, so I thought it would be a helpful activity to share.