It’s a new year, and if you’re like many people, “declutter the house” is on your resolution list, right after “lose those last 10 pounds.”
The great thing about making a decluttering resolution is that it doesn’t require a gym membership, new sneakers, or squeezing yourself into spandex. In fact, you can start decluttering your house today with the following 5 tips.
(If you’re more of a visual learner and you’d like to see me explain these tips on video, watch my recent segment on Good Day Columbus here. )
TIP #1: Declutter Your Holiday Decor
I know, we all hate the sadness of taking down the tree and the stockings. But, I urge you, seize the golden opportunity in this moment to reduce your clutter! Before just chucking those decorations into a box in the attic, ask yourself: Do I still love this decor? Does it bring me joy to look at it? Is it in good condition? If the answer to any of those questions is “No” it’s time to let it go and make more space in your storage areas.
TIP #2 Follow the One In/One Out Rule
Many of us were blessed to receive new items from loved ones over the holidays, so this is the perfect time to practice the “one in/one out” rule. Simply put, for every new thing you received, let one older thing go. For example, if your child received a new pair of gloves for the holidays, see if you can find an old pair that you can donate to child in need. (Believe me, homeless shelters are always in need of warm winter clothes for their guests!)
TIP #3 Declutter Your Clothing
One of my favorite questions I ask my students and personal clients about their clothing is, “Does this fit your body and your life now?” Quite often we just think about clothing fitting our bodies–and that’s certainly important–but we also need our clothing to fit our life. For example, let’s say you used to work in a formal corporate environment, but now you work mostly from home. In that case, you should probably let go of most of that business attire gathering dust in your closet. Yes, it may still fit your body, but it no longer fits your life, and that matters. So let that clothing go so it can be of use to someone who needs it!
TIP #4 Play the 30-Day Minimalism Game
This is a fun game I learned from The Minimalists. Get yourself a blank calendar and a marker. Every day for the month of January let go of the number of items that correspond to the day. (So you’d let go of one item on January 1, two items on January 2, etc.) When you get to January 31, you’ll have let go of almost 500 items!
TIP #5 Stop Junk Mail
I think I speak for all of us when I say that paper clutter is the worst. It’s not enough to just chuck it in the recycling when it arrives, because you’re still on those junk mailing lists! To decrease the amount of junk mail you receive, register your name and address at the following three websites:
I hope these tips help you start your new year clutter free and happy!
To less stuff and more you this year (and every year!),
PS: If you’re a busy working mom who wants to simplify your work-mom life, but aren’t sure where to start… join me for my FREE *live* masterclass: How to Organize Your Family’s Home Without Exhausting Yourself or Resorting to Threats. Click here to save your spot!
