A Roadmap to Achieve an Organized and Decluttered Home This Year
Large goals and resolutions for the New Year take a lot of work, focus, and small changes that compound over time. If your goal is to declutter and organize your home, it’s a BIG GOAL, and you’ve come to the right place. Read on for some tips on how to set yourself up for success!
Know the Why. Defining your objective and knowing what outcome you desire from decluttering and organizing your home is very important. Do you want to come home from work and be able to feel calm, happy, and at peace while you enjoy time with your family? Do you want increased productivity in your office? Do you want to make room in your basement for your children to have their own space to play? You will come back to this WHY throughout the year and it will continue to motivate you.
Plan. Break your home into sections and assign each section a month or quarter of the year (depending on the size of your home). From there make a “mission board” for each month/quarter by breaking the section’s decluttering and organizing to-do’s into manageable tasks. Having a roadmap makes your yearlong goal feel achievable so you reach that WHY.
Prioritize. While you are creating your plan for the year be sure to prioritize. I recommend starting with either spaces that are causing you the most stress, or spaces in high impact areas of your home (like the mudroom or kitchen). Once you finish these important spaces, the sense of accomplishment keeps your momentum going.
Schedule. Once you have a plan, designate a day of the week to focus on your “mission board” tasks and put it in your calendar. When scheduling, be honest with yourself about the time it will take to finish each task by considering your schedule, the time of year, intricacy of the space/task, and your commitments (like travel or holidays). Cleaning out three closets in an afternoon might not make sense if you haven’t decluttered in a few years, finish the kitchen well before a big graduation party or Thanksgiving, and tackle the garage in May when it’s not 8 degrees in February or 100 degrees in July. Take your time. Do it right so you don’t have to go back and redo it.
Resources. Consider what you need to achieve certain tasks and goals. Do you need assistance cleaning out the old furniture in the basement? Is there a particular charity that you want to donate items to that only accepts during a certain time of year? Do you need a handman/woman to help install shelving? Take these into consideration when putting your schedule and plan together.
Timers. Outside of those designated days and times for the larger decluttering and organizing tasks, you can focus on smaller areas. Set a timer for 10 – 15 minutes and tackle a small area like a desk drawer or the kitchen counter while dinner is in the oven. Short bursts of productivity are encouraging, and you feel great after an accomplishment, no matter the size!
Some final motivation:
Reflect. Don’t be afraid to adjust your methods, schedule, or timeline if what you mapped out isn’t working. Reflecting on what works and what isn’t working will help you stay the course so you reach that WHY.
Track your Progress. Tally the hours you spend organizing and decluttering. Make a list of the number of bags/boxes/items you declutter and remove from your home. Take before photos so you can see your progress.
Be Kind to Yourself. Life happens. Kids get sick, a big project pops up at work, family comes to town unexpectedly. Be flexible and open to adjusting your schedule and tasks.
Celebrate. Be proud of yourself and celebrate the wins – no matter how small or big. You deserve recognition and to be celebrated for your achievements.
By having a Why, a Plan, and a Schedule, you will be well on your way to reaching your goal of living in a decluttered and organized home by the end of the year. You got this! And remember, one day at a time.