I have begun this post several different ways, which is really unusual for me. My writing (perhaps evidently) is always a shoot from the hip style. I think the problem is that I wasn’t quite sure what I’m trying to say, but the central theme each time has been “I. Am. Tired.”

I could detail my daily, unwavering schedule, which runs nonstop from 5:30AM to 11:00PM (at best), but that’s not going to be very interesting to you and will just remind me of how tired I am. And sure, Baby P sleeps through the night, but somehow, I never do. At the point of delivery, I was apparently given the gift of Mom Ears, meaning every sniff or rustle in the night will instantly bring me to full wakefulness. And all those genuinely lovely people who encouraged me to not worry about the housework because “It will still be there later” have A) sidestepped the fact that not only will it still be there, but it will have multiplied and B) not offered to gift me a housekeeper. Hmph.

So as I learn to do more on less sleep, I thought I’d share the other areas where I’m intentionally aiming to increase my “less-ness.” I’m not claiming these as New Year’s resolutions, but they do conveniently kick off a new direction on a fresh calendar.

1) Budget – at the end of 2013, a combination of the added expenses of a baby, a program launched at my company to help our customers “spend wisely, save regularly, and give generously”, and a conviction to honor God more intentionally in this area came together to inspire me to budget towards some more specific goals this year. This includes skinnying down our spending in some areas not necessarily just to save in others, but to really see where we’re perhaps wasteful or spending out of habit vs. intention. Which leads to…

2) Food – one of the reasons I started this blog was to journal an Eating Revolution that changed my life. Post baby (and post breastfeeding calorie burn bonanza), it’s time to return to my previous plan. I’m already convinced of the benefits this will bring back to my waistline, blood pressure, and family threat of diabetes, but I’m also increasingly aware and displeased with the amount of food we discard in a year from spoilage or uneaten leftovers. So I’ve set a challenge for myself and my husband, with his participation: seriously curtailing our food spending this year to allow for only the simpler, healthy eating we desire and redirecting our formerly wasteful spending into better regular saving and generous giving.

3) Stuff – I have slammed into the new year with a serious Urge to Purge. Last year it was my pantry, this year it’s every square foot of our house. I’ve become aware that I am spending more time than I’m willing to do curating the accumulated possessions of 41 years of life. No more. If it’s genuinely used, useful, or meaningful, it stays. Otherwise, it’s O.U.T. I’ve bought a new shredder, I’ve started selling on eBay, and there’s a Goodwill box heading to each room. I’m uninterested getting to Heaven, looking back at my life, and seeing how much time or money I spent on things that just didn’t matter. Spend on quality, yes. Spend for convenience or to replace items carelessly misplaced? NO.

So as this blog grows and changes with me, I anticipate more posts this year on tips and changes that will help me towards these goals and maybe help you readers along the way. Two years ago, the theme of my year was studying scripture. Last year, it was carrying and delivering my precious baby girl. This year, both of those experiences are driving my new direction. I want to continue to make time in His word my priority, and I want to model for my daughter the spiritual, financial, and productive attributes I wish for her from the very beginning. I’m excited about this year! I already see the glimmers of more time and less pressure through simplifying and streamlining. In every way this year, I truly want to decrease and allow God to increase. I know from experience it will take me places I can’t imagine. Come with me!