The start of the year is the traditional time to make New Year’s Resolutions. It’s a fresh start that provides the opportunity for transformation and to achieve big goals.
But I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. We often set ourselves several, unrealistic targets, or have lofty ideas of making big lifestyle changes then struggle to keep up. By February, we’ve already given up and feel a failure. Instead of setting potentially unrealistic resolutions, why not aim for achievable aspirations, then work towards them across the year.
Whether you want to feel better organised at home or to create more time and energy to focus on activities that are important to you, decluttering your home will help you achieve your goals.
Decluttering enables you to create more space; both physical and mental head space and to focus on what’s important to you.
I’m not suggesting you have to embark on a year-long decluttering project, but creating a plan, taking action now, and some regular maintenance, will get you reaping these benefits straight away.
The Benefits of Decluttering
There are so many great benefits to decluttering your home. They include physical, emotional and practical benefits;
- more physical space when you remove the items you no longer need
- more emotional energy. You feel lighter and can focus when you free yourself of the possessions you were holding onto but no longer serve you
- calmer rooms that feel inviting and free of clutter
- more storage for the things you do use
- less stuff to clean, maintain and manage, saving you time and money
- greater awareness of the things that you love and need in your life, and things you don’t
My Top Decluttering Tips For Your February Declutter:
- Key rooms: focus on areas that will have the biggest impact in your home. Pick one of these rooms and start working; hallway, kitchen, lounge, bedroom, bathroom
- Quick wins: pick out items you didn’t use or love having around last year – appliances, gadgets, ornaments, wall art, clothes, shoes, accessories are good categories to look at. Pick a category and set yourself a timer; spend 10 mins finding items to remove
- Start small: focus on discrete locations that you can review quickly. The miscellaneous junk drawer, food cupboard, shoe cupboard, wardrobe, TV cabinet, underneath the bed. These locations will all yield objects that no longer serve you and will easily free up space for the things you do need and love.
New Year Decluttering – What To Do With Your Decluttered Things
It’s important that you quickly release the items you declutter from your home so that you can enjoy the benefits of your work. Items that are still in a condition to be used can be passed on through selling, sharing locally or donating. For items that can’t be handed you may find a way to recycle end up in landfill as many items can be recycled if they can’t be handed on.
Donate Items
It feels great to support a charity whilst giving your items a second life. Charity shops enable customers to browse, inspect items and are known for offering real bargains so are likely to have better luck selling your decluttered things. Charity shops will take a surprising range of things, including electricals.
You may know friends or family who can use the items you no longer want but do invite them to say no if they won’t use them; you don’t want to pass on your clutter. Local community groups are also a great resource, social media groups or organisations such as Freegle, Freecycle or other exchange sites are good examples. Dog groomers and pet shelters also appreciate old towels and blankets.
Sell High Value Items
If you have the time you might want to attempt to sell some of your decluttered items. This can be a great way to make some bonus money however do consider whether it’s worth the investment of time. The income you will make depends on a number of factors including whether there is demand for the item, whether it’s popular in the current season, it’s condition and so on. If it’s a small ticket item, difficult to sell online (compared with in a shop where it can be inspected), difficult to post, or will take up valuable space in your home whilst waiting to be sold, you will be better off giving it away straight away.
Recycle What You Can
Your local household recycling centre, Terracycle, some charities and many retailers take a wide range of items to be recycled. Do an internet search to find local providers or postal addresses.
Get started with your declutter and feel the benefits today
If you are keen to get started and want some guidance, try my free Decluttering Checklist and start making progress now! Download your free declutter checklist here.
I’m here for you
And find out how I can help you with more Practical Home Organising and Decluttering support here.
