5 Tips for Decluttering in the New Year

Decluttering your home for the new year is a great way to start the year off on the right foot. It can help to create a sense of order and organization, which can in turn improve your mental and emotional well-being. Here are some tips for the decluttering process. 

Start in one area of your home either:

• High-traffic areas like the pantry, kitchen, or kids’ playroom

or

• Less traffic spots like the linen closet, bathroom cabinets, or laundry room

I am deliberately not talking about decluttering your closet or your kid’s clothes. Experts like Marie Kondo often start with clothes which can help get the decluttering process started. However, I have found working with clients they start there and then never move on to other areas of their home. So, I am flipping the script and suggesting that you pick a more functional area in your home to get started.

Remember to start small and focus on one area at a time. Don’t try to declutter the entire pantry or laundry room, as it can be overwhelming. Instead, choose a drawer, shelf, or area of a room for a time to focus on while juggling the kids, dinner, and other life responsibilities.

Here are my top tips to get started once you have picked a space in your home:

1. Make sure you have the essential items you need to get the decluttering process started. Have a trash can/bag ready for the trash in the place, a box to relocate items that need to be located to another area of the home, and a donation/sell bin.
2. Pull everything out of one space and gather items together like trash, belongs in another area, pens, keys, similar size towels, etc. This will make it easier to determine what you actually need and what can be donated or thrown away.
3. Be ruthless with your decisions. It can be hard to let go of things, especially if you have emotional attachments to them. But remember that holding onto things you don’t need or use just clutters up your space and makes it harder to find the things you do need.
4. Then put everything back in the way you think you want to access it. But be willing to tweak the setup depending on how you and your family use the space over the next few weeks.
5. Consider hiring a professional. If you’re having trouble getting started or staying motivated, consider hiring a professional organizer to help you declutter your space. Professionals in your area can come to your home or you can check out my virtual services for a DIY approach.

By following these tips, you can declutter your home and create a more peaceful and organized living space. Decluttering must be done in bit-size pieces so that it does not become overwhelming. It has to become a part of your weekly routine and something you build in like laundry or cooking. Once decluttering become a part of your routine then you will find it to be less overwhelming with time.