Fresh Year, Fresh Start: Cleaning Out Your Home for 2021

Thursday, January 21st, 2021

Another year, another lockdown . . . but before you go stir crazy, here are some helpful ways to give you that new year inspiration you were hoping that 2021 would bring!

Many of us could not wait to close the door on 2020 and forward to the new year. Let’s face it, 2020 was stressful, and while many people look to each new year to freshen up their lives, this year more than ever people are looking inward to reexamine what is important to them and seek ways to remain positive amidst all of this uncertainty. It is important to set intentions for your behaviours and habits, but what needs to come first is creating a peaceful and joyful place in which to practice your intentions.

We all spent a record amount of time inside our homes last year due to the pandemic, and because of this you may have accumulated more stuff than you have in previous years. Living in mess and disorganization can cause stress, anxiety, and depression. It also deters you away from your ability to focus and be creative. People with too much clutter in their environment also tend to suffer from relationship issues, sleep problems, and chronic allergies or asthma.

The best way to “Keep Calm and Carry On” would be to take some time during this winter lockdown to clean out your home. Now is the time and trust me you will feel so much better once you do!

Here are a few strategies recommended by professional organizers:

1. One category at a time – This method is used by Marie Kondo, author of the bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and TV show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. She advocates for decluttering items by category: clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous items, and sentimental items, in that order.

Take a look at her Youtube channel for more inspiration: Marie Kondo Youtube

2. One room at a time – Another method is to focus on one area at a time. It could be a room, the garage, or the attic. If that amount of space is still overwhelming to you, break it down to one closet, one cabinet, or one drawer at a time.

3. Arrange keep, sell, and donate spaces – As you progress through your decluttering, it will save time and energy if you have already designated areas to accumulate items that are to be kept, sold, or donated. Then you can deal with each group of items once you have everything separated.

Once you have cleaned out your home, you might adopt some of these habits for preventing clutter from piling up again:

1. Set a rule where you don’t purchase a new piece of clothing, toy, book, or gadget without getting rid of something you are no longer using.

2. Get into the habit of always putting everything back in its place. This will keep you from purchasing items you already have but can’t find or forgot about.

3. To prevent clothes from piling up, try choosing your outfits for the coming week every Sunday, and don’t let clean laundry sit unfolded.

4. Look through your refrigerator and pantry before shopping and shop with a list of needed items.

5. Live by the rule that if you haven’t used it or worn it in the past year, chances are you don’t need it.

If you have other tips on home organization and how to live clutter-free drop a comment below.

Stay safe & remain positive; We are all in this together!

Tags: 2020, 2021, clean, cleanliving, declutter, goals, home organization, House, intentions, living, lockdown, Ontario, organize, Ottawa
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