In early December, Tony and I did all the things most people do around Christmas. We picked out our tree then spent an evening decorating it, with Christmas carols playing in the background. We laid our nativity out on the top of our bookshelf. We gift shopped—mostly online. We made our travel plans to Wisconsin to see Tony’s family. And then, we started gutting our apartment.

No, we didn’t move. Nor did the time of year make any sense, but as I like to call it, “The Urge to Purge,” crept up on us until we could no longer ignore it. Perhaps it was because we live in an apartment, and every few months, it begins to feel like the walls are closing in. Only this year, it felt like more than that.

As I shared in this post, a year ago Tony and I took a day long dream session for our lives. We set some pretty important goals for last year. And though we did accomplish a few really big ones, we didn’t do all we hoped to. We finished 2018 with the sense that we had left something on the table. That we have much more to do.

Only rather than starting to plow our way through some of our goals in the midst of the Holiday season, we put those things on pause. But we didn’t just put them off until the New Year. Instead, it felt as if this “Urge to Purge,” was our intuitive way of making space for what is to come. 

One night, before the great purge began, Tony and I began discussing this stirring inside us while we were doing the dishes. Tony wanted to dive right into one of our next big endeavors, but I was trying to explain to him that I felt I was struggling to think in our apartment. Finally, as I was wiping a frying pan, I said,

“I know it sounds crazy because it’s December, but I feel like we need to do some spring cleaning.”

Then I wondered, why is spring the only time we culturally talk about doing a deep clean to our homes? Yes, I know the weather is certainly better. And tearing your home apart during the holidays is a little insane. But the seasons of our world don’t always match up with the seasons of our lives. And often, the changes we most want to make involve a little preparation. In order for any of us to go after our big dreams or life changes, we need to make space. 

A great example of this, from my life, was marriage. About two years before Tony and I started dating, I realized I wanted to have a husband someday. Only I was already married to my job. I had to make space for another person in my life. I had to work healthier hours, and begin creating more of a social life where I could meet someone. The process took longer than I would have liked, but I was a better person for it. And in turn, when it was time, I was able to build a healthier relationship with Tony. 

Whether creating room in our schedule or in our living space, before we can make a change, we need to prepare. After all, we wouldn’t put clean clothes on after a workout, we’d take a shower first. We wouldn’t begin a project on a cluttered table, we’d clear it off. In the same way, we need to make space for the things we most want to create, achieve, and even receive this coming year. We need to be ready.

We need to make space for the things we most want to create, achieve, and even receive this coming year. We need to be ready.

Now, as it was the holidays, Tony and I only truly cleaned out about one and half rooms before the end of the year. And we’ve been slowly working on the rest since coming home from our trip. But rather than seeing it as a distraction, we know we’re making space for the things we most want. 

Where do you need to make space before you make change?

What does this space need to look like? Is it in your schedule? Workspace? Home?

Could you use some help making space in your life for your goals and dreams? Join Tony and I, and plan your year with the help of our Start Here: Dream Planner. Sign up today, for your free copy!