Happy New Year friends.

This has been an unusually wild beginning of a new year for me. I usually lean in, take my time and let things unfold. This year, a new book, 12-city book tour, and year five of A Simple Year invited me to jump right in. And it feels great.

Some people have expressed concern that I’m doing too much, or visiting too many cities on book tour, or spreading myself too thin, but that isn’t the case. I’ve been preparing for this by taking extra good care of myself (eating well, winter hikes, yoga, spending time with people I love, listening to my heart and getting extra sleep). If I had attempted this 10 years ago, I would have burst into flames but now thanks to a meaningful morning routine, wonderful family and supportive team, I’ve got this.

I’m also preparing for healthy travel by packing my favorite teas, and vitamins, scheduling lots of downtime, and time with friends and tapping into healthy apps like Headspace and Do You Yoga on the road.

And the winner is …

I recently chose a winner for the Soulful Simplicity Closet Make-under Contest. After reading through each beautiful, heartfelt, sometimes painful essay wishing I could spend time with each person who shared their heart with me, I chose one. With her permission, I want to share part of her essay.

“I’ve been working really hard on accepting myself as I am, working on shutting up that judgmental little voice inside that picks on me all the time. I took some liberties with this haiku I once read that really speaks to what my life is like right now:

Being me “is like
losing your keys for six months.
I’m going nowhere.”
– Eirik Ott

I know that in order for me to “find my keys,” I need to just get started. I want to simplify and only have what matters. To only have what you truly love in your house and in your life, that’s my beautiful dream. Having someone who’s already walked that path to help me get started would be a dream come true. Would you please help me find my keys, Courtney?”

Have you lost your keys (or your heart)?

It got me thinking of all the times I’ve literally lost my keys, and other times when I’ve lost my heart. Can you relate? We lose our hearts or connections to them for all kinds of reasons.

Maybe you lost your heart … 

• because you were completely depleted
• when a relationship fell apart
• because you got sick
• when you were hurt
• because your loved ones were sick, or hurt
• because after years of living a life you were “supposed” to live, you forgot who you were

I lost my heart for all of those reasons but by simplifying my life and taking care of myself, I found my way back to love. Whatever your reason, maybe today is the day you find your heart … even if it’s only for a moment. It might not happen all the way overnight, but even the tiniest of connection will help. I spend a great deal of time helping you cultivate a heart practice in Soulful Simplicity, but here’s how to get started:

• Choose a time each day when you can sit alone quietly for a few minutes. Keep a pen and paper nearby to jot down anything that comes up and light a candle if that helps.
• Sit down and after a few cleansing breaths (in through the nose and out through the mouth), close your eyes, or turn your gaze down and continue focusing on your breath (while breathing normally).
• Next, place one hand on your heart, and cover your hand with the other. Feel your heart beating. Feel the warmth of your heart and your hands.
• That’s it. For now, that’s it. Later you can start a conversation with your heart but for now … just put your hands on your heart. It’s a powerful start.

I can’t promise you will always find your keys, but if you are willing to make a little time to sit quietly with your hands on heart for a few minutes each day, I know you’ll find your heart and come back to yourself.