Organizing for the New Year

By Jessica Hoelzel

When the fruitcake is stale, the twinkle has dimmed, and the sound of jingle bells has quieted, this post will be your ticket to new beginnings. Print it and post in a semi-prominent place – not under a pile of cards, wrapping paper, or gift receipts! Refer to it as you clear the remnants of the holidays. Keep the spirit in your heart, of course, as you move into the New Year. Hold closely your gratitude for family, for home. Think of your intentions for the New Year. How do you want to live?

Do you want to view clear surfaces in your kitchen? How about being able to fully open the door to the home office? Do you want to walk with ease on a clear path in your basement? What would it feel like to be able to find what you need in 30 seconds or less?

Organizing can empower you. Clearing out clutter and managing well the things that you have can give you a great boost for the New Year.

Starting a new project may seem like the last thing you want to do after the activity of the holidays. Do give yourself a break. Put your feet up. Sip a steaming cup of tea. Allow yourself to reflect on what your standards are. Not what you will tolerate, but what makes you feel good in your home? When are you most at peace?

Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote, “Creating a comfortable, beautiful, well-run home can be among our most satisfying accomplishments as well as an illuminating spiritual experience.” Take a piece of paper and jot some notes about what an organized home means for you. What does the space look like?

Ponder what rooms need the most attention. Do a little planning on paper for the next year. Get your calendar, if you wish, and schedule some decluttering time. Three-hour sessions are usually about right for bigger projects, before you get burnt out. You can take 15 minutes a day to transform spaces, too. At the end of a week, that’s almost two hours of organizing!

Maybe the laundry room is your biggest pain right now. Do that first. Maybe the garage needs work, but that would be better scheduled for warm weather. How about weeding out your closet, to make room for the new clothes you got? The playroom could possibly use some sorting and purging, with all the kids’ new toys. Keep in mind the amount of new things coming into your home. A good rule of thumb is: One new thing comes in, one old thing goes out! And including your family will make the effort lighter and teach valuable lessons for the future.

Get started! Beginning is sometimes the most challenging part, but take to heart the words of wisdom woven in my mother’s cross stitch, “Begun is half done”. Start small and reward yourself along the way. You will gain momentum as you go. As Tom Petty sings, “It’s time to move on; it’s time to get going. What lies ahead I have no way of knowing…”

Make it an organized new year!