The Chinese Lunar New Year is just 30 days away! As we transition into the Year of the Horse, we are entering a cycle defined by fast pace, rapid movement, and powerful momentum. In Chinese astrology, with the fire horse, you’ll definitely be asked to make decisive decisions, and move fast. To keep up with that energy without burning out, you need to lighten your load now. Here are 6 things you can do to reset your space, body and mind for the new year.
1. Physical & Digital Declutter
In a year of movement, extra baggage will only slow you down. Now, is the time to release and let go the things that no longer serve you. This is one of the most vital parts of your Chinese new year’s preparation. Traditional wisdom suggests that deep cleaning your home “sweeps away” the stagnant energy or bad luck of the previous year, to make room for the new. To align with this, you should aim to clean your entire home and even your car. Wash your bed sheets, dust every shelf, and pay special attention to your front door and hallway. In Feng Shui, clearing the entrance makes it easy for luck for come into our lives. Other additional things to do:
- Clear your desk and organize your workspace. A clean environment allows for better focus and invites new professional projects and growth.
- Be sure to throw away anything that is broken or dead, such as wilted flowers or dying plants, as these are thought to drain your vitality.
- Delete apps you no longer use, unsubscribe from draining newsletters, and clear out your inbox and cluttered screenshots.
- Organize your physical items into trash, donate, or sell. If you haven’t used or worn something recently, get rid of it to make space for the new.
Tip: To avoid burnout, don’t try to do this all in one weekend. Take it day by day and tackle one drawer, one closet, or one digital folder at a time until the New Year arrives.
2. Groom for Success
In Chinese culture, it is considered bad luck to cut your hair or nails on New Year’s Day or the first few days of the new year. It is said that you are “cutting away” your luck. They also believe that we don’t use any knives or scissors during the new year’s day as well. So book your hair appointments and grooming sessions now. Cut your hair, get a new hair style, and cut your nails. Get them done way ahead of the Chinese new year eve, and the week of. While entering a new year, it helps to feel confident, and look polished to have a fresh start.
3. Conserve Your Energy
While the Year of the Horse is fast, we are still currently in the depths of winter. Nature is dormant, and you should be, too. It’s not a time to speed up quite yet, so now is the time to conserve your energy. You can do this by focusing on quality sleep, gentle exercise and movement, and intaking warm nourishing foods. For specific tips on this, check out my post on the 5 TCM Warming Habits for Women to help you stay balanced. We want to avoid over exertion, and this is something we need to be mindful in the horse year as well, so we don’t burn out. It’s best to take a softer approach to fitness, so avoiding high intensity workouts, that may leave you depleted. Think of it as prepping before the race. You have to have the energy and stamina to keep up. You can only do that if your healthy. Slow down, and give your body the rest and nourishment its asking for.
4. Set Your Direction
Speed is dangerous if you don’t have a map. Because the Year of the Horse brings so much momentum, you need to know exactly where you want that energy to go. Identify what your major priorities will be in the new year. What is it you want to achieve, and move forward? Commit and have a clear direction so you can make quicker decisions with confidence. It can also give you the ability to see what you may need to say no to, and will need to focus less on or let go altogether. Get your planners, and strategy together, writing down the things you can do, and having a tentative plan of what you need to do to achieve your goals, or to change whatever you feel needs to be changed. Plans and direction can change, but its better to know where you’re starting your focus, and being open and willing to pivot quickly when called to or is necessary.
5. Clear and Settle Your Debts
To run fast, you can’t be tied down by the past. In Chinese tradition, it is auspicious to enter the New Year with a clean slate, especially regarding what you owe others. If you owe a friend for dinner or have small outstanding bills, try to cashapp or settle them before the New Year begins. This signals to the universe that you are ready for new abundance. Are there any loose ends you need to close up, any conversations that need to be held to clear the air. Send the message, and have the courage to finish up anything that you don’t want to drag you down for the new year. You need to free up mental space to focus on the opportunities that the year of the horse will bring.
6. Restock the pantry
Restock the pantry with fresh foods, fruits like oranges, apples. There is a beautiful tradition of ensuring your home is “full” before the clock strikes midnight to symbolize a year of plenty. It allows you to “keep full” and literally always have something to eat going into the new year. We do this by making sure our kitchen is fully stocked of food, and ingredients. We make sure that our rice containers are all filled to the top, our pantries and fridge are well stocked. This makes sure that we start from a place of abundance and not lack, or that we find that we will have to keep searching for resources in the new year. It’s also a great idea, to throw away any expired foods, sauces, ingredients etc, and donate any canned foods or foods you don’t need to food pantries.
