The New Year is here, bringing fresh opportunities to clear out the old and welcome the new. I am sure you enjoy clutter-free home and know it isn’t just about having tidy shelves; it’s about creating a space that supports your goals, nurtures your spirit, and sparks joy every day. It clears out the clutter in our mind as well. I have tried explaining this to my husband but he just looks at me. He has never made New Year resolutions. It is just not his thing. I like to use taking down Christmas decorations as a way of redefining my spaces. Most people I work with have two things that are of concern; health and organization of some sort. It might be their home is a mess or their brain is unfocused and they cannot get anything done. I must admit, these are two places that I work to improve on each year in some way. Yes, there have been years where I slightly regressed but all is well, I just keep trying.
Inspired by Marie Kondo’s renowned KonMari Method™, the key to decluttering is simple: only keep what sparks joy. This might be strange but I use “does this make us happy?” Or, “is this useful?”, it not, I try to part with it. It is not always easy. We have emotions tied to items. Not sure why. Keep moving on anyway. Kondo’s book inspired me many years ago to organize my home. Kondo’s method is keeping items by category and not by room. For example, don’t organize each room but organize by classification. Put all the scissors together in the home, tape together, medicine, etc. When you need an item, you know exactly where to go and what room it is in. I have a cabinet now with only travel items; headphones, pillow, travel blanket, travel steamer, etc. When we travel, I grab what I need. It helped when I traveled back in my retail days to ensure I didn’t forget something. I made a list as well on my phone. I have scissors in the kitchen, dining room (where I open Amazon packages), and laundry to remove tags. I have a drawer with only tape; masking, wrapping, double-sided, and duck tape. I cannot tell you how good it feels when my husband will ask if I have a hook of some kind and I know where the hooks are next to the tape in a drawer. Most importantly, when you start this, you will keep going.
Why is organizing your home a goal that does not get completed? One valid reason is you accumulate throughout the year. We buy and receive things and feel obligated to keep. Mothers are the most guilty of this. We want to keep everything that our children or grandchildren have given or made for us. However, we can eventually let go. It is the memories we hold in our heart that matter. This year, I want to part ways with just “stuff” and have a more spacious home. My closet would be a good start. They say that we only wear 20% of the clothes in our closet- I believe it. Now, another bit of advice I read is not to try to do your entire closet at one time. From experience and what I have read recently; break down a goal or project into increments or steps so that you can do slowly but surely without becoming overwhelmed. Think of a stairway-each step is progress going up. I am going to start with my closet and do by classification- all pants first then onto tops, skirts, jackets, etc. Oh my, then shoes. That might do me in lol.
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a marathon. Set a timer for 15 minutes each day to organize a drawer or shelf. One step at a time. As you create more space, you’ll notice more clarity—not just in your home, but in your mind. An organized space can inspire you to take on new challenges, focus on whats really important, and find joy in everyday moments. I started my journey of organization about ten years ago and it is still work in progress. I always recommend starting with personal spaces that you see each day and that you are 100% responsible for such as your car, desk at home or at work, panty drawer, and night stand. These spaces are places that you come in contact with will remind you how organized you are. When you begin identifying as an organized person, you will start acting like one. An organized person wants things in its place and it will keep snowballing. I used to let my work space (dining room) become a mess. Now, each evening I clean off my desk. I also buy flowers for my Printer cabinet (picture) and try to never place "stuff" on top. It is always spacious and clean-gives me a shot of dopamine of "I am so organized".
What in your environment needs some organization?
Have a beautiful day!
Janie
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