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Ways to Declutter Before the New Year6

By Alexis George

As a new year approaches, you often hear people say, “new year, new me”. This is because for many the new year signifies a rebirth of sorts. It is a chance to refocus and start fresh. What better way to do so than by decluttering the home?

Decluttering the home might look different from one person to the next, so it is important to first determine a plan that works for you. Once a plan has been made, the goal is to concentrate on one area at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

As you begin the process, remember your why and allow yourself to feel a sense of accomplishment as you evaluate the value of all things in the home. This makes the organization or removal of all things that don’t bring you happiness or that simply take up unnecessary space easier.

Here are 6 ways you can declutter your home to start your new year off with a clean slate.

Clear out the kitchen

The goal in decluttering this area is to get rid of all expired foods, cookware, utensils, or appliances that are likely to sit untouched. The essential items that are remaining should be tucked away in specific drawers and non-essential items should be stored in specific cabinets.

Organize your closet and drawers

Remove clothes and shoes that you no longer wear or can no longer fit. This will allow for extra storage space for new items. You can also reorganize both areas by assigning clothes to designated spots based on color, occasion, or another method of your choosing.

Throw out old kid’s toys

First you will want to gather all toys in one area and then look for ones that are broken or unused. For the broken toys you can throw them out and for toys that are unused plan to donate them. For toys that are being kept, find a designated room or area to store them in.

Sort through stored holiday decorations

By the time you reach the end of the year, you have probably purchased a ton of holiday decorations. Collect all decorations from their current space in the house and separate them into seasonal item bins. This way when specific holidays come up you know exactly which box to sift through.

Organize office space

Go in and throw out or shred old documents that aren’t needed. Get rid of pens and other writing utensils that don’t work. Once completed make sure remaining papers and supplies are neatly organized and stored in designated spaces.

Clear out the garage

The garage can be a big area to tackle, but it’s doable. You can choose to take the time to sort through each box and assess what can stay or go. You can simply look at the label of boxes and throw the whole thing away or you can remove everything and host a yard sale.