Tidying up is an art form in itself. You have to do it consistently enough so that it becomes a habit, and you will have greater success if you choose to do one particular thing Decluttering approach or technique This will help you constantly evaluate the things you have and determine whether you need to keep them, and if so, where you will keep them.
However, before you can organize yourself for the long term, you need a starting point. I recommend you start the new year by giving your entire home a once over by using the decluttering checklist below.
Your checklist for tidying up in the new year
Real decluttering is a process that takes weeks or months. You need to make a habit of getting rid of what no longer serves you and constantly organizing what you want to keep. But before all that happens, you may be faced with an overabundance of junk that leaves you unsure where to start.
It’s worth it plan some time to provide a comprehensive overview, focusing on a few key areas. To get started, throw or donate something from the following categories:
-
Eliminate anything that is broken, faulty or obsolete. This includes broken things you swore you would fix, as well as odds and ends like random chargers and cords clogging up the junk drawer. If you haven’t used the old MacBook charger since 2011, you probably won’t need it again.
-
Remove all duplicates. Think about unnecessary kitchen items, the shopping bag stuffed with totes, or anything else that can be consolidated.
-
Throw away anything that has expiredfrom spices to makeup to gift cards, and trust that if you need exactly that again, you can get a new one.
-
Donate clothing or bedding You haven’t worn or used it recently.
-
Throw away any old papers or documents you findfrom Christmas cards to years of bank statements. First, take photos of important things or keep them in your filing cabinet. (You still have a physical filing cabinet, right? You should.)
-
Throw away or donate anything that doesn’t matchlike a cup missing a saucer or a sock missing a partner. You may find it later, but it’s probably not worth keeping until you find it.
-
Donate any disposable items you don’t usesuch as art supplies, sporting goods or kitchen appliances.
This may all seem like common sense, but these are also the things we all keep, and they are the ones that create the clutter in our homes.
Next, find your personal decluttering method
Many decluttering techniques encourage you to take a more relaxed approach to the process and discuss what you need and whether it brings joy. I don’t necessarily think this is helpful, as it gives you a little too much leeway to make excuses for why you “have” to hold onto something that you don’t actually need, and I’m particularly against it once you’ve cleaned up your resolution for the new year.
There’s no better time than the start of a new year to make quick, objective decisions about what stays and what goes. Take advantage of the “New Year, New You” vibe by being decisive and ridding yourself of what no longer serves you.
However, you need to make cleaning up a habit after the first browse, and the easiest way is to find a method that works for you. In honor of the New Year, I advocate the establishment of a “one in, one out” Mindset. Resolve that for everything you buy, you will throw away one (or more) similar items.
Last year, I was very lucky to apply this philosophy to my wardrobe: When I wanted something new, I listed its counterpart in my existing collection for saleThen I allowed myself to only buy the new thing after the old one was sold (as a bonus, it was like getting a discount on the new product too). This prevented me from accumulating a ton of sweaters, handbags, and shoes, kept my look fresh, and allowed me to share some treasured but no longer needed pieces. You don’t do that have Sell the things you get rid of, but commit not to repurchase things you already have. Otherwise, this time next year you’ll be back where you started.
