Follow Through on Your Resolution With These 5 Decluttering tricks
It’s already mid-January and you’ve most likely already considered some type of resolution or goal for the year ahead. Given the high failure rate of New Year’s resolutions (estimated at about 80%, with most losing steam by mid-February…yikes!), it’s a good time to check in with yourself on how you’re going to turn your visions of transformation into action.
Based on our experiences helping people transform their things and spaces, we’ve gathered our best tips & tricks to help you transform your time and lifestyle to achieve your personal goals:
Use the ‘one in, one out’ rule for your time. Just as we suggest letting go of one old thing to make room for each new thing, you can do the same with your schedule. Many resolutions involve trying something new. If this applies to you, start paying attention to when you can carve time from your routine and what you want to forgo. For instance, if your resolution is to meditate for 20 minutes a day, you may want to set your alarm 20-minutes earlier or limit your social media time by the same amount.
Look past the surface for a deeper significance. As much as we appreciate stylish and neat interiors, a clear and meaningful goal is essential to guiding our work. Clarity around how the new space will improve daily life is essential (e.g. improve productivity, spark creativity & play, or encourage relaxation). When it comes to resolutions and goal-setting, a desired look or idea may be attractive, but by attaching a greater significance to it, we increase our motivation to put the work in to achieve it. If you want to save money, get clear on what that money represents to you—time with family, security, retirement goals, etc.—and let that guide your spending habits.
Exercise restraint with purpose, not punishment. When decluttering, we encourage people to start by giving the definite ‘yeses’ prominent placement. This helps overshadow any discomfort of confronting the maybes (e.g. something expensive that no longer fits, a gift you never liked) and letting go of what no longer serves you. This approach allows your favourite things to shine as you care for them better, find them more easily, and make better use of your space. Anything discarded or donated can be easily forgotten. Similarly, by framing new restrictions in a positive light, you will feel boosted by the benefits rather than deprived. So if you give up drinking, do it with confidence and anticipation for how great you’ll feel and what more you can accomplish the next day.
Be flexible with how you achieve your goal. When we are tasked with organizing an overcrowded space and decluttering just isn’t enough, we start looking beyond a particular closet or room for untapped potential in other spaces. You may decide to get in shape and set a goal of going to the gym X number of times per week, and it’s great when you’re on a roll with it. If you get derailed (from a busy period at work, illness, etc.), however, it can be deflating and leave you ready to give up. Instead, we suggest reframing the goal so it’s achievable within your busy schedule. If you commit to getting active daily, you can look at what opportunities are in front of you to keep you moving: walk to the store instead of drive, do a home workout, or simply enjoy chasing your young kids around outside.
Readjust until it fits. As organizers, we often tackle overstuffed areas by unpacking everything and starting fresh to see how we can fit priority items in optimally. Even then, we like to experiment and move things around until it fits and we find balance. Now, you can’t undo your whole routine, but you also don’t have to give up if force-fitting something new fails. If your goal is to start flossing or washing your face nightly, but you’re too tired at bedtime, try a new time rather than giving up entirely. Before you start an evening activity, or while your kids are playing in the bath may be the perfect time for you to carve out some self-care.
With clear priorities and purpose, a positive mindset, and a flexible approach, we know you can achieve anything you set out to. If you’re interested in ways you can adapt your space to better support your goals, contact us for a free consultation.
Allocating space and time to your priorities will help you achieve your goals and establish new habits. And seeing these colourful pants gets us pumped about getting dressed for a workout!