I shared this photo on my Instagram this morning. It’s a pile of clean clothes and shoes…some even new—still with tags. This pile has been in my bedroom for 4 weeks. Every day, I inevitably grab what I need from this pile and go about my day, ignoring it. On Sundays, when clean clothes come out of the laundry, they get added to the pile, and the cycle starts again.
And it’s okay.
Because for the last 4 weeks, I’ve been living in the moment. Enjoying the holidays. Eating nice dinners (that I’ve prepared) with my college kids. Watching college football bowl games with my husband. Traveling. Going to bed a little bit earlier so I can read a few more chapters of whatever author has currently caught my attention. Setting up my business and my writing for a successful 2025.
And the pile is still there.
Now, for some, a pile of clothes in your bedroom that you can hide behind a closed door is no big deal.
For me, this is a GINORMOUS deal.
I just don’t have piles of clothes hanging out where they shouldn’t be – especially for weeks at a time.
Because what you may or may not know about me is that I have always had massive perfectionist tendencies. H-U-G-E. They cause me to go all in on something and not be satisfied until I’ve mastered it…well, perfectly.
Doesn’t matter what it is. Cooking. My job. Exercise. My home. Writing. Whatever. I want it to be perfect.
And this pile of clothes and shoes is most certainly not perfect.
But it does represent progress. Yes, I said it. This messy mountain of sweaters, leggings, and socks is a sign of progress.
A few years ago, I was able to recognize that perfectionism isn’t healthy for me and I was able to rein it in ever so slightly. I bought a sign and put it by my desk that reads, “Strive for progress, not perfection.”
This sign has served me well. Curtailed—not cured—my need for everything I do to be perfect.
Then, this morning, as I grabbed my jeans and a shirt from the pile, I thought to myself, “Maybe it’s not about progress over perfection – because this pile has made absolutely zero progress in four weeks. It’s no smaller and definitely not any closer to the drawers and closet where it belongs. Instead, maybe it’s about priorities over perfection.”
B-I-N-G-O!
This pile of clothes and shoes is not a priority. And as I wrote in my Instagram post this morning, sometimes, the piles can wait. Life doesn’t.
So, I’ve decided that in 2025, my intention is to focus on the priorities – whatever they may be. Currently, it’s about spending time with my college-aged sons, writing with joy, celebrating everything and everyone, and embracing the moment.
And here’s the thing: those priorities will look different for everyone. Maybe your priority is spending more time with your kids, tackling a big career goal, or simply slowing down and taking care of yourself. Whatever it is, the key is giving yourself permission to let go of the things that don’t truly matter right now – like the pile of clothes – and pouring your energy into what does.
This doesn’t mean I’m abandoning structure or organization altogether or that you will soon find me on an episode of “Hoarders.” It just means I’m choosing to loosen the reins a little. To live with a bit of a mess if it means I’m fully present for the moments that matter most.
The pile will get folded and put away eventually. But for now, it can wait.
As we step into 2025, I invite you to think about your own “pile.” What’s taking up space in your life doesn’t really need your attention right now? What can you let go of to make room for the priorities that really matter?
Let’s make this the year of priorities over perfection. Let’s embrace the messy, beautiful moments and trust that we’re exactly where we need to be. Here’s to living fully, intentionally, and joyfully in 2025.
Now go tackle your day—or leave the pile for another day. I promise, it’ll be okay.