Time to Declutter Your Home

A PURPOSEFUL START TO THE NEW YEAR. Simplify, cherish, and cultivate joy.

For me, it’s that time of year when I take the time to declutter my home before the start of the new year. I began doing this a few years back and it helps me live intentionally and more purposefully. So, I wanted to share what I’ll soon be doing, in case this resonates with you and helps you start the new year on a fresh note. 

Here are the things I do:

1. Minimalist Mindset: I embrace a minimalist mindset (that is not to say I am a minimalist) by evaluating the true value of each item in my home. I often ask myself; Does this serve a purpose or bring me joy? If not, I consider letting it go. For me, it’s truly always quality over quantity.

2. The 90/90 Rule: I implement the 90/90 rule, which involves asking yourself if you have used or worn an item in the last 90 days. If not, and if you can’t foresee using it in the next 90 days, this for me is a sure sign that it’s a good candidate for removal. This rule encourages me to evaluate the practicality and necessity of my possessions more regularly, preventing the accumulation of unnecessary items.

3. Digital Decluttering: Extend decluttering efforts to the digital realm. From my computer to social media, I intentionally take time to organize and declutter. Everything from photos (lots of organizing and deleting duplicates, etc.) to unfollowing accounts that no longer serve me to uploading documents to cloud storage for safety purposes. Started doing this after my computer failed and lots of important files went with it. Lesson learned. 

4. Room-by-Room Approach: The week between Christmas and New Year I try and tackle one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. I start in the room that I spend the most time in. Usually, that’s my bedroom and living room. I sort through items, categorize them if needed, and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. This focused approach makes the process more manageable and productive.

5. Seasonal Rotation: A must for me in January. Store off-season decor, and items in labeled containers or storage bins. This not only helps me declutter my immediate living spaces but also allows me to appreciate and enjoy items more when I reintroduce them after a period of absence. There is something special about doing this.

Take one or take them all, but if nothing else I hope this helps in reflecting on how you can live a more intentional life. In the end, the things that bring us joy are what forever stay ingrained within us.