As the New Year rolls around, I find myself reflecting on the seasons of this past year and not just in the sentimental sense. Recently, I did something surprisingly productive and therapeutic: I cleaned out the contacts list on my iPhone to start the New Year with a Clean Slate.
Scrolling through names was like flipping through a living scrapbook. Friends, colleagues, mentors, clients, neighbors. Each contact represented a moment in time. Some brought warm memories, others surfaced lessons learned from more difficult seasons. It’s true what they say: people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Revisiting those names reminded me of just how many chapters we live through without always realizing it in the moment.
The process wasn’t only about nostalgia; it was about clarity. As I let go of outdated contacts, I felt lighter. It was a reminder that clearing out clutter whether digital or physical makes space for what matters most.
That experience inspired me to look at other areas of life and business where unnecessary clutter might be hiding:
Apps on our Phones
Take a moment to scroll through your apps. Which ones did you use consistently last year? Which ones are just taking up space? Delete the unused ones, update the ones you do rely on, and streamline your digital landscape.
Software Programs on our Computers
As entrepreneurs, we’re often drawn to new tools that promise efficiency, growth, or organization. But how many of those programs are you actively using? If you’re paying monthly or annual subscriptions for software that hasn’t touched your workflow in months, it’s time to let it go. Canceling unused subscriptions not only saves money it simplifies your systems, which ultimately saves time and energy.
Household and Business Utilities
Think about the add-ons you’ve accumulated. For example, are you still paying for services you no longer need? Or additional features on your internet or phone plan that once seemed useful but are now redundant? Cutting those extras is like trimming dead branches. It allows your resources to flow where they’re truly needed.
Why This Matters?
The common thread in all of these resources contacts, apps, software, utilities is that each clean-up represents both a practical and emotional reset. It’s about creating efficiency, yes, but also about honoring the progress you’ve made and preparing yourself for what’s next.
When you clear away the unnecessary, you’re not only saving money you’re gifting yourself peace of mind. You’re acknowledging what’s served its purpose and releasing what no longer does. That, in itself, is deeply therapeutic.
A Head Start on the New Year
As the new year begins, give yourself the gift of a clean slate. Organize your contacts, streamline your apps, cancel unused software, and cut unnecessary expenses. Step into January knowing you’ve already begun the work of renewal.
Cheers to starting this year with gratitude and opening the next one with a clean, purposeful slate!
Sonya Ruff Jarvis is the Managing Member of Jarvis Consultants, LLC, bringing 30+ years of expertise in strategic development, marketing, event management, executive coaching, and board advisement for Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits. She is recognized for creating innovative business solutions, including a customer engagement program adopted globally to enhance attendance, exhibitor satisfaction, and loyalty at tradeshows. A four-time book author, Sonya holds an MBA from New York Institute of Technology and a BA from Hiram College, with international studies in Rome. Sonya resides in North Carolina with her husband and daughter.
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