Happy 2025!
I hope that you are taking time at the beginning of this year to take care of yourself and your space. You might feel a mix of excitement about the year to come and a sense of overwhelm about its uncertainty, especially if you are going through a big transition such as retirement or moving this year.
One key thing to remember heading into a time of change is that your environment should change as you do, supporting you through each season of life.
As a professional organizer, my job is to help you feel confident in yourself by giving you confidence in your space. How can we build that confidence? One way is by creating a solid, flexible plan now, so you can revisit it throughout the year.
Having a plan to fall back on (and someone to cheer you on) will help keep you centered in the midst of uncertainty. You will also feel empowered to actually make the big life changes you are considering, knowing that your past self has your back.
Here are my tips for how to adapt your organizing strategy throughout the year so you can take care of yourself as you inevitably change and grow.
January through April: Make your Yearly Tidy Plan
The new year is the perfect time to check in with ourselves and get grounded in what’s most important to us. Then we can make a yearly tidy plan that will truly serve our needs.
I don’t make new year’s “resolutions” because they often add unnecessary pressure to my life. Instead, I focus on being compassionate, intentional, and forgiving. When our spaces are cluttered or disorganized, we may notice thoughts of shame or disappointment arising.
Rather than listening to the voice that tells me I’m not good enough and setting intense goals, I like to set intentions instead.
How do you set intentions?
Think about what you value (I like to use this list from Brené Brown for ideas).
Reflect on the problems you’re currently facing in your life in regards to your home. Are your values conflicting with how you’re living?
Do you value familial relationships, but feel angry and frustrated when you’re in your home, resulting in a lack of energy to dedicate to your family?
Do you value security, but feel that you are holding onto items as a band-aid way to feel secure?
It’s okay to feel these ways, but also know that you deserve to change what you want to change!
Set the intention to figure out these problems in a compassionate, supportive, and curious way.
Bonus Tip 1: At the beginning of the year, you may feel tempted to buy more items to accomplish your aspirations for the new year. Instead of adding to your life, how can you simplify and use what you already have?
Bonus Tip 2: After setting your intention, use my worksheet to “Envision Your Dream Space” to map out what kind of environment will best support the change you are trying to make.
April through August: Refresh Your Space for Spring
Check in with yourself and how the intention you set at the beginning of the year is going. Does it still feel relevant?
Spring is a fresh opportunity not only to get organized, but to prioritize your health. Whether you feel like you’ve been working hard towards your intention or feel as though time has just been slipping by, take the time to be compassionate to yourself.
What is one action you can take to reset while also taking care of yourself?
Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Get your bedroom in order.
Sleep is one of the most important ways we maintain our health, even as we age. By decluttering and organizing your bedroom, you can turn your bedroom into a sanctuary that helps you relax.
Bonus Tip: Clear the windows of any obstructions to let the light in. Pick up objects on the floor so you can start off the day on the right foot. For fun, add special touches like soft blankets, candles, or a diffuser to give a peaceful, centered feeling.
2. Clean out the kitchen and dining room.
As the center of the home, the kitchen can easily become a place where everything collects, such as mail or miscellaneous items that get stuffed in the junk drawer or left on the table.
Try to set up your kitchen to serve its original purpose: storing, preparing, and serving food to family and friends.
Simplifying your kitchen makes it easier to meal plan and make healthier snacks because you will have time and room to prep.
What small area in your home could better support your health?
August through December: Get Tidy to Share Your Home
By the early fall, you may have started to realize how much you have accumulated in the first half of the year. You may also be craving a time to reflect and reset, especially if you’re adjusting to a new change.
For these reasons, the last third of the year is a good time to:
Declutter and downsize
AND
Make a plan to do the one thing you’ve been putting off.
You know your needs best. To keep things simple, pick one room or category of things that has been stressing you out this year. What do you need to do to conquer this hurdle to end your year on a high note?
Regain confidence in your ability to make positive changes by taking action– it’s never too late in the year, or in your life!
Sometimes we need someone by our side to support us and keep us accountable to make a change. Contact me so I can provide you with the confidence and support you need. It will be worth it, and we can celebrate together!
Bonus Tip: When the holiday season comes around, read this blog post about how to simplify holiday organizing and decorating and then download the free PDF checklist to help you prepare to share your space with family.
Bonus: Use your resources to support your changing needs.
I have a whole collection of free digital organizing and decluttering worksheets, customized to address different needs, including a full Client Resource Guide with places to donate or recommended realtors to help you move, a guided Dealing with Overwhelm worksheet, and a Closet Clean-Out cheat sheet, and more.
Click here to get all the free organizing worksheets sent to your email, and unsubscribe at any time.
Next steps:
Sign up for my newsletter to get information about seasonal specials related to some of the tips I shared in this post.
Set up a time to get organized with me and talk through your intentions for the year.
I’m here to help support you through all your transitions, whether that’s tidying your home every season, or making the jump to a new season in your life. Let’s face life’s changes together!
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