The one thing you can do to jumpstart your New Year’s decluttering
A common theme among New Year’s resolutions include to“declutter my space” and “become more organized”. Noble aspirations, and as a professional organizer and a compulsive “declutterer”, I applaud anyone who includes these goals in their list of resolutions.
Beginning the work is often easier said than done. However, the one thing you can do right now that will give you a head start towards your decluttering goals has to do with the acquisition of more stuff.
Take a look at what you received for holiday presents. Is there any one thing that is a replacement or an upgrade or an addition to something you already possess? If so, the first thing you should do after you set up/try on/open up the new item is to take its predecessor and get rid of it.
Did you get a cool new IPhone X? Great! After setting it up, immediately trade in or sell your previous phone. Got some new jewelry? Take a critical look at what you already have and take some of the pieces you do not wear but that are in good shape to consignment. Jewelry, especially costume jewelry, is one of those things that generally sell very well at consignment stores. Scored some new trainers? Take the old ones to Goodwill or a shelter— somebody always needs shoes. Some people keep an old pair for “working in the yard” or some such designated task. That’s OK, but ONE pair is plenty for that. If you are hanging onto 4 old pair of running shoes for “yard work”, give it up! Nobody does that much yard work; one pair of trashed shoes is enough!
I always get new socks for Christmas. Before you denounce that as lame, please know I’m excited about this gift. Most of the time I’m either wearing boots or am dressed in gym clothes, so I wear out boot socks and workout socks at a scary pace. So I’m thrilled to have new ones. However, my sock drawer is always full to the point of stuffed. My next task is to pull out every single item in the drawer and get rid of everything with holes in the toes or no mate; that alone will free up half the drawer. Embarrassing to admit this as I the self-professed minimalist, but my sock drawer has a way of over-filling on me.
This act of making room for the new gift is a way of finding the perfect place for it among your possessions. And it may inspire you to continue with the decluttering; often one thing leads to another, or one sock drawer conquered leads to thoughts of taking on the t-shirt drawer………….
Sarah Campbell is a professional organizer in the city of Chicago. She specializes in decluttering, organizing, preparing for moves and unpacking and setting up after a move for households and small businesses. Contact her at Sarah@anorganizedlifechicago.com for help with your organizing challenges.
