The Great Purge of 2026

I don’t make New Years resolutions anymore. The stigma is overwhelming, too much pressure. Instead, I set goals. This year, my number one goal is to de-clutter. Everything. Not just my junk drawer, my office, or my basement. Everything. My email accounts. My social media. My mind. My life. I feel like I’m drowning in the clutter. I humbly asked God for a life raft. I know He won’t leave my side, but I also know I have to put in the work.

Let’s take this one step at a time. George Carlin had a very famous routine about stuff. I have way too much stuff. So much stuff in my house, in fact, that most of MY stuff is still packed away in totes that are cluttering up my basement. How do we rectify the situation? We eliminate stuff. I’m going to start this weekend as I un-decorate the house. Sadly, I must now concede that the Christmas season is over. The decorations have to come down. I’ve convinced myself that just because they all came out of the basement doesn’t mean they all need to go back there. Some will be sold, some donated, and some will probably find their way to the dump via the great folks at Rozner’s Refuse. The older I get, the more I realize that the memories don’t live in the things that take up space and need dusting. The memories will continue to live on in my heart and mind even if the things themselves have disappeared.

The house always looks so empty when its been “Un-Christmased.” The emptiness doesn’t last long though. All the things I put away in November to make way for the Christmas decorations will soon be pulled back out to resume their rightful spots….at least, that’s how it’s gone in the past. This year I’m hoping for a different re-decoration. A restoration of sorts. The restoration of my sanity in a house that brings me joy without the stress of holding on to every bit of stuff that’s ever crossed the threshold.

I’m hoping for a snowball effect. The de-cluttering of my house will hopefully aid in the de-cluttering of my brain. A problem I feel most of us struggle with is stress. There’s so many things that can cause us stress. One of the things that stresses me out the most is cleaning. I am NOT a fan. I mean, I’ll do it, but I will complain and procrastinate. Then I’ll stress myself out because of it! Vicious cycle, I tell you!

When I’m done cleaning my house, I think the next step will be to clean up my social media. Why do I have 315 “friends” on Facebook? No matter what I post, it doesn’t illicit a reaction from more than a handful of people. When I finally caved in all those years ago and joined Facebook, I said it was to keep in touch with my family. Well, let me tell you, family just isn’t what it used to be. I keep posting things, reaching out, and the responses are getting fewer and farther between. My grandparents’ generation was THE greatest generation, but extended families just aren’t the same these days. We’re all too busy living our own lives to keep up with the rest. I’m just as guilty as the next person. Do I love my family? Absolutely. Do I wish them health and happiness? Of course. Will I see 90% of them? Probably not. Don’t even get me started on friends. Let’s be honest, most of them are more likely to be nothing more than acquaintances. Sure, we wish each other a Happy Birthday because Facebook reminds us that we should, and we wave when we pass each other at Walmart. But how many of those people would answer the phone at 3am when I just need someone to talk to? I’d be willing to bet that I could count those people on just my fingers…I wouldn’t even need my toes! The “Friends” list will be trimmed, and I doubt any of them will notice anyway. Let’s go a step further here. Do I really need Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, X, and TikTok? I think not. Just more apps to mindlessly scroll with no real interaction. Change is coming.

With social media de-cluttered, then I can focus on my social calendar. Once again, the older I get, the more I’m realizing that I don’t have to do all the things. It won’t matter if I choose to stay home in my pjs with my fuzzy blankets watching Hallmark movies instead of going out and about every weekend. It’s ok to choose rest and relaxation instead of overstimulation. The world will go on turning whether or not I go to the party, concert, festival, etc. I’m no longer a fan of big crowds, or most people if I’m honest. There are a few exceptions, of course. If Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham decide to bring the Summer Nights tour back to the Burgh, I’ll be there for sure! I won’t miss Friendsgiving at the club or the Rez Power breakfast. Some things are worth the time and effort, but I’m learning that not everything is. I’m going to do my best to be more mindful of how I spend my free time. The focus will be on things that bring me the most joy with the least amount of stress.

If this snowball rolls the way I hope it will, the biggest flex of 2026 will be the de-cluttering of my mind. Once the house is clean, social media is limited, and the social calendar is scaled back, maybe then I’ll start to feel some peace and contentment where stress once lived. If I can quiet the outside noise, maybe I will be able to hear myself better. I’ll be able to focus my attention on the things that matter the most. If I’m really lucky, God’s voice will become louder and His plan for me a little more clear. Sometimes it’s hard to hear where He’s leading me through all the noise in my life.

I know nothing is going to change overnight except for the date. 2025 was full of changes, some quick, some over time, some planned, and some unexpected. My hope for this year is that the winds of change continue to blow me in a positive direction. I’m anxious to see what this year has in store for me, my family, and my friends. As always, thanks for coming along for the ride.

Here’s to a healthy and fulfilling 2026. Happy New Year!!