We're moving forward in the Life Edit, and making January great again! Because it's really not made for change, at least not in the way you think. January has a different role, one that makes all of the things you want to do possible. January is made for cleaning up.

If you missed the first space to clean, here's a recap:

• ​Learn Why January Is the Worst Month For Change (And What It's Better For)​
• ​Space #01: Cleaning Up Mental & Digital Clutter​

Now, it's time to make plans for space two!

Space 02: Cleaning Your Physical Enviornment

Okay, today we’re getting into cleaning the traditional way. And I know, you might not feel overly energized about physically cleaning, but let me give you a little hint about how energy works:

Some tasks drain your energy. Others fill it. Both require effort to start, but one leaves you feeling lighter, more capable, and more energized. The other just depletes you. Sometimes it’s obvious which is which. Other times, it’s about perspective… often, it’s both.

Today, I want you to think about physical cleaning as an energy-filling practice. You might feel tired while doing it, but there’s nothing more invigorating than waking up to a space that feels fresh, organized, and clear. Cleaning is freeing and filling.

It's all in how you view it ;)

The second space I want you to focus on this month is your physical environment. Not just sweeping things under the rug, but honestly evaluating what no longer serves you, including what is taking up space, creating clutter, and draining energy in all the wrong ways.

Now, there are two things you must know about me regarding this lesson:

1. I actually love maximalism (as long as it's serving you).
2. I’m not particularly sentimental.

This is important to note as you clean, because there is a huge push toward minimalism in society. And honestly, I think minimalism isn’t the one-size-fits-all solution. Some people thrive with less, while others feel drained by it. This is why it's important to know yourself, your style, and honor that. And not just jump on the bandwagon of what everyone else says is best.

Cleaning and your physical enviornment are only energizing if it feels good to you. I want you to feel at home in your spaces, relaxed and able to dream.

Where to Start:

Take a moment to look around your home, office, or even your car if you spend a lot of time there. Ask yourself:

• What feels stuffy?
• What feels overwhelming?
• What feels messy, cluttered, or draining?

Make a list of spaces that feel heavy or stressful. No judgment. Then create a simple plan to tackle them over the remainder of the month.

My Real-Life example:

I did this challenge earlier this month, and let me tell you, it's TOTALLY WORTH IT.

• I was feeling drained by laundry, so I went through all our fabrics, including our clothes, bedding, towels, and purged what no longer served us.
• I cleared out the pantry and refrigerator, discarding foods that didn’t support us and reorganizing for efficiency.
• I went through last year’s planner and all the papers I’d collected for ideas, then nestled the useful ones into the back pages of my new Nourished Planner. I hate throwing away ideas, but keeping them in a messy pile made them useless.

Did I deep-clean everything? No. But by tackling the most overwhelming areas first, I naturally created a momentum that led to cleaning spaces I hadn’t even planned on, partially because it felt so good the first time. But also because I actually had the energy to do it.

This is exactly how cleaning can amplify your energy, making it feel like you're speed cleaning while actually deep cleaning. The more you clear, the more you want to clear, and the better you feel.

Your Action Steps for Today:

1. Walk through your spaces and make a list of areas that feel cluttered or draining.
2. Decide which area feels most pressing to tackle first.
3. Create a simple, realistic plan for cleaning it this month.
4. Start small, notice how it feels, and let the energy naturally carry you forward.

Cleaning your physical environment might feel like a chore, but when you approach it as an energy practice, it becomes a gift to yourself. You’ll feel lighter, clearer, and more capable in ways that ripple into every part of your life.

And if I may add, do your best to make it enjoyable. Blast your favorite music or download a good book to listen as you clean!

Here's to making a plan!