It’s an interesting time right now for most, where cooler weather (unless you’re in Miami per se) has you bustling around with a renewed sense of energy that was previously absent in those high heat months. While it is a time of year that for most of us feels like things are RAMPING UP, I’d encourage you to SLOW DOWN during this “Seasonal Shift” into Fall/Winter, as we dive into December. Look at it as a time to review a few odds + ends around your home to lighten your load as the new year approaches. The new year will thank you!
It’s an interesting time right now for most, where cooler weather (unless you’re in Miami per se) has you bustling around with a renewed sense of energy that was previously absent in those high heat months. While it is a time of year that for most of us feels like things are RAMPING UP, I’d encourage you to SLOW DOWN during this “Seasonal Shift” into Fall/Winter, as we dive into December. Look at it as a time to review a few odds + ends around your home to lighten your load as the new year approaches. The new year will thank you!
1. CATEGORY: CLOTHING
When you you start pulling out your cooler weather clothing, take a moment to assess each item + your likelihood of wearing it again.
PRO TIP: Keep a notepad handy + write down any essentials that you’re missing + need to shop for (ie. raincoat, gloves, warmer socks) —PS. I wrote that sock part as a reminder to myself! Last winter was rough…as a I tried to “create” one pair of warm socks by layering three together…yea, it’s embarrassing.
ADULTS
✓ Review your colder weather items in categories (ie. sweaters, jackets, scarves, gloves, boots, etc.) so you can assess what you have objectively + not as one big pile. This is a time to assess if you have any duplicates that aren’t used. Give those away to someone who can use them now!
✓ Ask yourself when’s the last time you wore the item? If you can’t remember + aren’t excited to wear it, let it go, Elsa style.
✓ Keep your best + favorites that you’re excited to wear. Donate the rest that are in good shape + could be immediately useful in someone’s life/home.
✓ Give these cold weather items a good wash + get rid of the dust bunnies, then fold/hang as needed so they’re easy to get to for the season.
KIDS
✓ Look at their clothing in categories (sweaters, jackets, sweats, etc.). Depending on where you live the quantities you need to support your lifestyle + weather conditions will vary. For example, here in NTX, it’s mild but winter can still get “serious” now + then so a good heavy jacket, raincoat we can layer with + a good hat, mittens/gloves, plus warm sweaters are still essentials. But we don’t keep many multiples. Beyond that, focus on layering pieces to create or remove warmth.
✓ Remove anything they’ve grown out of for the season or don’t wear/don’t have interest in.
✓ Make sure these seasonal items are easy for your kids to get to encourage them to get dressed appropriately on their own. If it needs to be hung up, make sure a stool is nearby if they can’t reach it on their own. We hang up our heavy coats, then put all the “cold weather essentials” in a separate drawer down low. Our everyday pants + long sleeves are in another “everyday” drawer because it is worn frequently.
2. CATEGORY: KITCHEN/FOOD
To do a seasonal breeze through of this, only focus on the items below to lighten your load. You can do another deep dive when you have time/energy.
PRO TIP: Keep things simple by breaking things into mini tasks, like one drawer at a time, one pantry category at a time (teas, baking supplies) rather than looking at everything all together which just fuels the “overwhelm”. Put your energy in places you know need TLC (like neglected pantry shelves or drawers that you can’t shut or find anything in). These are quick win/high impact suggestions, so feel free to pick + choose from the list or do them all if you’re feeling wild!
✓ Do a quick review of your pantry - remove old/expired foods + foods you’re not going to eat. Donate to a local food bank anything not expired or unopened.
✓ Jot down on a notepad foods or pantry staples you’d like to restock on for your holiday/seasonal favorites.
✓ Drawers - remove anything that never got used this year/you avoided (or you can’t remember the last time you used it). Toss broken/beyond repair items.
✓ Cabinets - remove anything that you no longer use, is broken or you’ve fallen out of love with. Donate (or sell) anything in good, usable shape.
✓ Fridge/Freezer - toss expired sauces, foods, frozen items, etc. Clean + recycle as much packaging as possible.
✓ Spices - toss anything that’s old/expired (smell it to determine freshness, it should still smell like the spice or toss it) - plan to restock on your favorites.
✓ Mug Intervention - yes I’m talking to you! I’m totally game for all the warm + cozy drinks, but you don’t need 30 mugs to do, I promise you! Pull them ALL out on the counter + only keep your absolutely FAVORITES. The chipped ones need to go. Donate the extras in good shape. Phew! Don’t we all feel better now?!
3. CATEGORY: SEASONAL DECOR
NOW I probably have your attention! Are you ready to tame the seasonal decor chaos? OK, here we go!
PRO TIP: There is this unnecessary, ridiculous pressure each holiday season to buy new decor for your home. What’s the deal with this? Can we just kick this to the curb once + for all? I am here to liberate you. If you need to make a swap or bring something new in, something should be headed out the door as well. Keep reading for more tips on this below.
✓ As you pull out a box/bag/container of seasonal decor items, you’re going to objectively look at each item to decide if you’re going to keep it. PS. Your taste is likely going to change over time + that’s OK! Part with things you fall out of love with + make peace with it!
✓ Declutter as you decorate. Yes! It’s groundbreaking concept, join me! It’s great! I often sort as I open containers + keep a brown paper bag or box handy to add ornaments, knickknacks, art, garlands, seasonal platters, cups, etc. When you have it in your hands if you LOVE IT + you IMMEDIATELY know where it can be displayed/put out, KEEP IT. Once you’ve done a thorough editing on these items (+ have honed your personal style a bit more), there’s less + less to edit each year. Phew!
✓ Be incredibly mindful of what you BRING IN this season. It’s OK to love what you already have + not buy new. It is also OK to make some intentional swaps if there’s something you’re missing + want to add. But don’t bring in more than you need or will use. It is more to manage + store ALL YEAR LONG.
4. CATEGORY: EXTRAS
This category is really for the non-essentials in our life that do make life more enjoyable when we have boundaries for them. Let me enlighten you…
PRO TIP: If you have items you’re donating, plan to donate your items that week. Schedule it into your time + get it done!
✓ Pick one or as many of these “extras” to go through at your leisure: kids toys, magazines, books, decor, throw blankets, writing utensils, candles, lotions, soaps, teas, coffees, etc.
✓ Now pick an “extra” + review it by zone (by shelf, drawer, etc.) or do a full group (pull all your magazines together on the table to review). Keep only what you LOVE + USE + ENJOY NOW. The rest needs to go.
✓ Kids Toys - only KEEP the following: items they use/play with regularly, are developmentally appropriate, aren’t broken/damaged, are worth the space they take up in the home + it doesn’t interfere with valuable open/play space for them. Open space will always be more valuable than any single toy that exists on the planet. Let that sink in.
✓ Some of these “extras” may need to be tossed if opened, expired, etc. Donate or giveaway anything in good shape. Recycle/donate sell books + magazines. Donate decor items you’ve fallen out of love with but are still in good shape + could be useful in someone else’s home.
SO WHAT’S NEXT?
It’s time to enjoy the space you’ve just freed up throughout your home! Yes!! These are all ideas on where to start + by no means do you need to do all of them unless you’d like! I know you’ll love the results when you’re done.
If you’re needing help with more decluttering + you’d like more support from me, feel free to check out all of these mini course still available discounted through the end the year. Here’s the line up:
Please feel free to DM me on Instagram / email me with any questions while you’re working through these mini courses. I am more than happy to help + keep you moving + encouraged!
And don’t forget, enrollment for the Declutter Your Home Masterclass will be open for enrollment again early next year! If you want to learn more about this holistic, deep dive into learning how to declutter + learn all of the skills you’ll ever need to declutter your home + life for good, click HERE. If you want to know the moment it is live again in 2022, make sure you’re signed up for EMAILS (light on your inbox + you’ll get a bonus low cost organizing guide too just for signing up!).
Thanks for being here.
