Additionally, just a few weeks later, I learned my dad's prostate cancer had spread and he was going to need surgery to remove it. Nothing whips your priorities more into shape than learning of a parent's cancer diagnosis and impending surgery. Everything important in my life suddenly came into crystal clear focus and all minutia became blurred out.

For me, the important things in my life are my relationships with family and friends, and "things" are just background noise. During my reflection, I realized that "things" were becoming a huge part of my life and too much of a distraction.

And it was no accident. Just the other day, a thing I was talking about wanting during a phone conversation suddenly appeared as an advertisement in my Facebook feed. An infiltration of advertising in every single area of life – even in restaurant bathrooms and my Facebook feed – had me thinking that I needed the best car, newest, most expensive clothing item and most high-tech device.

Keeping up with the Joneses is a hamster wheel that is hard to step off of once you're on it, but I'm committed to doing just that.

There would be no more mindlessly flipping through jcrew.com and filling my shopping cart with things I shouldn't buy. I'm slowly trying to unsubscribe from all my email alerts from retailers advertising those never-ending 50% off sales. I'm now a few days in, and it's certainly helping to tame my temptation. I'm now changing the direction of my focus to what I have versus what I want to have, and allowing the clarity to contribute to creativity.

When you always want things, it's hard to appreciate what's already in your possession.

I'm already starting to notice a bit of a new sense of peace, because I know "things" are all off limits. Of course, it's only been a few days, so I won't pretend I've made some 180-degree life change; the real results are still yet to be determined. However, I do hope my "life realignment" allows me to have a greater appreciation for my family and all the great things I already have, and I'm hoping it dramatically increases my savings account.

I also got to thinking how eliminating distractions could benefit my professional life. So, I've decided that I'll go cell phone-less while at work (for at least a week, maybe more) and see how it improves my productivity and creativity.

I would encourage you to join this challenge with me and eliminate clutter from your life, whether it's from your desk at work, your car, your life, your friend's list or your closet.

Then see how eliminating distractions at work improves your interactions with coworkers. Go to lunch without your cell phone, and be fully engaged in meetings without checking to see if anyone has texted you. Email me your successes and failures.

Without things, the gift of presence will be my present in 2018 – perhaps the most valuable gift you can give anyone.

Tahira Hayes is a Correspondent-at-Large for CU Times. She can be reached at [email protected].