New Year’s Resolutions

We’re over a month into the new year. Like many of you, I’ve been reflecting on what this year might hold. While I didn’t make explicit resolutions this year, I’ve been holding onto a few themes—simple reminders to guide me as the year unfolds.

Whether or not you made resolutions, there’s something about the start of a new year that stirs a desire for change. We often feel this pull to add something new: read more books, start a workout plan, learn a new skill, or take on an exciting challenge.

These are good things, of course. But let’s be honest: how often do our resolutions fade by February? This email isn’t about analyzing why resolutions fail—there are plenty of articles on that. Instead, I want to suggest something that might sound a little counterintuitive.

What if, instead of adding something new to our lives, we started by removing something?

Our lives are so full—packed calendars, cluttered homes, endless to-do lists. We’re often so busy adding new commitments and responsibilities that we never stop to ask if there’s anything we can let go of. But maybe the key to lasting growth isn’t doing more, but doing less.

What if this year, instead of piling on new goals, we focused on clearing away what no longer serves us?

Pruning may not feel as exciting as planting something new, but it’s just as necessary. It creates space for what really matters to grow.

So, as we step further into this year, maybe the first step isn’t to add but to subtract. What’s one thing in your life you can let go of to make more room for the Lord?

Sometimes, less really is more.