Last week I hopped on the Joyful 2016 webinar by two of my favorites, Lara Casey and Emily Ley. They chatted about how they’re going to make 2016 a better year than 2015 and how for them, it meant saying ‘yes’ a lot less, and saying ‘no’ to all of the meaningless things that don’t add value.

I found myself sitting there thinking “oh my gosh, this is me”… and wondering if I’m even ABLE to make the same types of changes they’re making to create a more joyful year. I figured I’ll never know unless I try, so I’ve been making baby steps in that direction. Let’s be real, I could never go cold turkey or just rip the bandaid off completely. I need to make small changes, step by step in order to make 2016 JOYFUL, happier, and LESS.

Less crap.

Here’s what I mean by that… I have a huge shopping addiction. I LOVE to shop… and most of the time when I buy things its just useless *things* that don’t matter. I could’ve paid my Tahoe off probably 3 times by now if I could just rein in on that shopping habit. I’ve started monitoring it more and I swear, by this time next year I’ll be better! If not, check me into shopaholics anonymous, please!

Less commitment.

I really want to start saying ‘no’ to the meaningless commitments. I’ve gotten better this year with that but I REALLY want to hone in on it for 2016. I will only stay committed to the people and the things that make my heart rejoice! Maybe for you, less commitments means more time with your family, or more time reading the Bible, or more time connecting with others. Doesn’t it feel good to think of having more time for meaningful things that add value to your life? Gosh, its like a sigh of relief for me!!

Less Fear.

Imagine what you would be capable of in 2016 if you were willing to say ‘no’ to fear. If you were willing to let God in more and allow Him to guide you. Think of the endless possibilities, the breaking down of the walls and barriers… the capability to truly turn dreams into a reality if you just had the courage to say NO to fear. Friend, don’t let fear stand in your way of becoming something really great. God doesn’t give us dreams and talents to waste. Say NO to fear in 2016. I believe in you!

Less emails.

This one right here, you guys. I’m embarrassed to say this… but I’m being real, so here goes. I decided less emails was going to be my first baby step into a joyful 2016 and my first step into “less.” SO, I went to www.unroll.me and typed in my email address. It counts how many subscriptions you have that are coming into your inbox. For me, its mostly stores (back to that shopping habit, woof) mixed with some business/photography related newsletters. Old Navy, Jane, GroopDealz, Brickyard Buffalo, JCrew, Haute Look, you name it, it was coming into my inbox. Here’s the part I’m embarrassed to admit: when I typed in my email address and it counted how many subscriptions I have coming into my inbox, it was….. *drumroll* …..

114.

114 useless, meaningless, CRAP emails! What.is.wrong.with.me?! I’m ashamed…truly! So I unsubscribed to 98 of them, leaving me with just 16 subscriptions. Which, by the way, are mostly photography and business related newsletters (Katelyn James, Justin & Mary, Rising Tide, etc.).

I feel better already.

And it wasn’t hard! It was actually relieving and I felt like I could breathe again. The first day after I did this, I woke up to 6 emails in my inbox instead of 25-40. I hated having to weed through the client inquires, print orders and CRAP emails (no, Old Navy, I don’t care that you’re once again having 40% off EVERYTHING in the store. I’ve already given you enough of my hard earned money). It would take me so long every day to weed through and I felt so exhausted at the mere thought of opening my inbox every day. Now today marks the 6th day since I’ve gone to unroll.me and it feels amazing to wake up to only emails that matter.

So I challenge you…

To take that step with me if you feel overwhelmed by your inbox. Go to www.unroll.me and UNSUBSCRIBE to the meaningless CRAP emails. Because… less. That’s why! Less crap, more of what adds value and makes your heart sing! If you accept this challenge, comment below letting me know you accept! And if you’re feeling REALLY into it, you could comment the number of subscriptions you had too :) C’mon… I told! Now tell!

**Bonus challenge: Write down in your 2016 planner one fear you have that you will try to let go of. Pray on it. He hears you… I promise you can say no to that fear in 2016!

Cheers to a joyful 2016, friend! Another tip + challenge is coming tomorrow, xo!