Title: Six Practical New Year's Resolutions, Courtesy of a Pro Organizer
Kicking off New Year's resolutions isn't tough, but keeping them alive and well? That's another story. Good intentions aside, life's demands and distractions can make our resolutions disappear faster than aamann ko soyasan (Pakistani sweet bread) at Iftar. Organizing our homes is often one of the most common resolutions set, yet maintaining an organized space is key to keeping other resolutions flourishing.
Even if organizing your home wasn't on your list, your other goals might stand a better chance if you started by decluttering and tidying first. For example, if your goal is to enjoy more homemade meals, ditching the clutter from your kitchen will make meal prep and food storage much easier. Or if you want to hop on that stationary bike three times a week, a clutter-free bicycle seat will inspire you more.
As a seasoned organizer, I've found some promising resolutions to tackle at the beginning of the year. Some will offer instant satisfaction, like digitizing your paperwork, while others will pay off gradually, like focusing on decluttering one space at a time. Pick the tasks that will serve you best in the coming year, and commit to seeing them through.
1. One in, one out
If you haven't adopted this yet, following the "one in, one out" principle is a powerful organizing tip. The strategy is simple: for every new item you bring into your house, one old item must be removed — by donation, trash, recycling, or selling. Apply this rule to virtually anything, from toys and books to clothes and makeup.
Recently purchased a new lipstick and somehow found the same tube hidden in your makeup drawer? Toss the old one and find room. When you buy a new book, pass on the one you won't read again to a little free library. Practicing this organizing rule regularly will help maintain balance and prevent clutter from creeping up on you.
2. Establish a command center
This organizing resolution could transform your whole life, especially if you have a bustling household. Family command centers are designed to streamline schedules and storage. They are relatively easy to set up in high-traffic areas like the kitchen or rear hallway. Be sure to include a calendar, dry-erase or chalkboard, a mail sorter, and hooks. Update it regularly to keep life flowing smoothly.
3. Say goodbye to paper clutter forever
This could be the year you finally conquer the paper clutter in your life. If you have a mountain of paper, you'll likely need to tackle this resolution over several months. If it's more manageable, try dedicating a full weekend to the task. Begin by stopping the inflow of junk mail with recommendations from the FTC. Don't let catalogs you no longer care about or charities you haven't contacted in years haunt you.
Once you've reduced incoming paper clutter, scan the important documents and files to your secure cloud storage of choice and then shred the originals. While yes, keep crucial records like birth certificates and passports in a fireproof safe, digitize receipts for your purchases and avoid signing up for more mailing lists. While it may seem overwhelming at first, you'll thank yourself when your countertops and desks are paper-free.
4. Perform a digital detox
While going paperless is great for decluttering, your digital space may become more cluttered instead. It might seem easier to take it, but it's vital to tackle it, so start in the new year. Unsubscribe from unwanted emails and texts, and then schedule a day to delete duplicate photos and irrelevant files – making as much space as possible. Organize your digital photos, emails, and desktop files into effectively-labeled folders. Tackle this task over time and consider using digital tools to aid the process.
5. Perform nightly resets
You may have heard the term "closing shift" on TikTok, but the idea is the same. Spend 20 minutes or so each evening clearing surfaces, running the dishwasher, fluffing the couch, and taking out the trash. While these might seem like tedious tasks at the end of a long day, completing them will prevent messes from building up during the week.
6. Schedule decluttering projects
Instead of attempting to declutter and reorganize the whole house in one January weekend, break it up throughout the year. Spread projects out over the year to avoid burnout. Create a list of rooms or spaces to prioritize and break them down further. For example, tackle the kitchen cabinets one day, the drawers another day, and the pantry a third day. Start with sorting through nonessential items and working your way toward sentimental.
In conclusion, by following these tried-and-true organizing strategies, you'll be able to effectively maintain your New Year's resolutions for a clutter-free and organized home!
- According to the latest home trends, incorporating storage organization techniques into your living space can significantly improve your overall home cleanliness. Bureau of Homes and Gardens (BHG) frequently shares tips on how to create efficient and clutter-free storage solutions.
- If you're looking for organization tips that can help you keep up with housekeeping and news, consider following the "one in, one out" principle. This method, popularized by housekeeping experts, asks you to remove an old item for every new one you bring into your home, thereby maintaining balance and preventing clutter.
- As you're making resolutions for house cleaning and organization, consider transforming your home by establishing a command center. This centralized area, often located in high-traffic areas like the kitchen or rear hallway, will help optimize your daily routine by streamlining schedules, storage, and communication within your house.
