Starting out the New Year can feel like a fresh start. It’s a chance to start doing things that you’ve always wanted to accomplish and set goals for the upcoming months ahead. Having a clean slate to work from will help you feel prepared to take on challenges or at least help you feel refreshed and reset for the coming year.
The best way to get in the right mindset is to start at home. Decluttering and purging unnecessary things from your life will curb unwanted distractions and help you focus on what is important to you. The following are tips to get you started:
Start with Your Line of Sight
Scan the room around you. Are there things out in the open that no longer serve you and are just taking up valuable space? This could be anything from outdated technology, trinkets, books, furniture, old toys, or anything that you no longer deem useful. It may be hard to part with certain items, especially if they have a sentimental or monetary value attached to them. If this is the case, consider renting a storage unit to keep these things secure and out of the way so you can reclaim your space. If you don’t have that sentimental value attached or simply want to get rid of old/outdated possession consider donating items that are in good condition as they may be beneficial to someone else.
Check the Closet
Often closets become dumping grounds for things we rarely, if ever, use. Take the opportunity to scrutinize their contents and figure out if you really need everything that they contain. If you find you are harboring things that you didn’t even know you had, consider donating them or selling them online. This could be a great way to earn some additional cash to potentially fuel your other New Years resolutions.
Keep it Tidy
Even if you find cleaning a chore, the simple act of putting things away once they are no longer in use will keep your living space clutter-free. When spaces are tidy, it’s easier to focus on more important tasks. It’ll help you get started on your more important New Year’s resolutions. Clutter creates stress, and stress hinders progress. When you’re finished using something, put it away.
Seek out Storage Solutions
Once you have eliminated what you have deemed unnecessary or excessive, it’s important to store things in an organized way. Invest in storage containers, shelving systems, pegboards, or closet organizers. Maintain what you decide to keep in your space and for everything else that just won’t fit, or doesn’t need to be accessed constantly, consider renting out a storage unit to keep your possessions secure and safe.
