7 January 2020

By Cielo Anne Calzado

Time flies, indeed. After enjoying the Christmas celebration, we’ve turned the page and welcomed this new year with open arms. The months of December and January aren’t just for parties and reconnecting with friends, it’s also a time for resolutions and new beginnings.

What better way to make the most of the next 12 months than with a clean, organised, and healthy home? Many allot a day or more to go through belongings and clean every nook of the house to signify a fresh start. While it may be daunting at first, you can accomplish it easily (and efficiently!) with these handy ideas below.

1. Commit to a schedule
Don’t worry if you weren’t able to declutter before January 1 as you have the rest of the month to work on it. Do you need a weekend or a day to go through the house? Depending on the size of your home and the belongings you have, set a schedule and mark it on the calendar. You can also set a reminder on your mobile phone to make sure you won’t forget.

Make a travel checklist
If you already know where to go and how much you will spend, you can start making a travel checklist. Please include transportation, accommodation, and entrance fees to tourist attractions. These will help you get a general idea of what you want from your vacation. Get a feel for how much you expect to spend. And be sure to write in a little extra money for miscellaneous expenses that will almost certainly crop up on your vacation.

2. Make a concrete plan of action
How do you plan to accomplish your decluttering? Will you do it per area or are you going to focus on cabinets and drawers? For starters, you can follow the top to bottom rule wherein you clean the ceiling, chandeliers, and surfaces first before sweeping and mopping the floors. Whether you’ll try a new hack or you’ll stick to your tried-and-tested cleaning routine, don’t forget to set a time for the task at hand so you can track your progress. You don’t have to feel pressured by the clock – do things at your own pace, just don’t forget about Tip #3.

3. Have a goal in mind
A clear goal will inspire you to finish the task efficiently. Work toward achieving a bright and clean home where you can relax and do the things you love. In an article she wrote for Psychology Today, Dr. Sherrie Bourg Carter says that “Messy homes and work spaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed.

Yet, rarely is clutter organised as a significant source of stress in our lives.” Would you look forward coming home to a gloomy, disorganized home? We’re sure you’d love to kick off your shoes and plop down on the sofa without having to worry about all the clutter you need to sort before calling it a day. A clean home doesn’t just promote wellness and positivity, it can also help you focus better.

“When people are in a clean environment, they are undeniably able to concentrate better and are therefore more likely to succeed,” shares Satoru Imamura, head of the Japan Cleaning Association in an article published by Japan Times.

4. Sort your things into three piles: KEEP, THROW, and SELL
Prepare three boxes or bins and label them accordingly. Doing this hack can help you check which ones you’ll return to your cabinets and which ones you need to discard immediately. Can’t decide if you’ll throw an item or not? If it’s beyond repair and if you haven’t used it in the last six months, chances are, you won’t be using them this year, too.

Chuck these in the bin and don’t think twice about it. Got plenty of items in the SELL box? You can set up a garage sale at home or give it to a friend who can make use of it.

5. You can always DONATE the things you don't need anymore
Decluttering can help you discover things you’ve totally forgotten about - an extra pair of running shoes, an appliance you’ve won in a contest, or pair of jeans that no longer fit. These items can be donated and will put a smile on someone else’s face. Organisations like Salvation Army, Jumble Station, Kechara Soup Kitchen, and Community Recycle for Charity are just a few places where you can bring your decluttered items. View here for more information.

6. Learn a thing or two from Marie Kondo
The life-changing magic of the KonMari method is undeniable. Just like how the Japanese cleaning guru taught us, you can make decluttering easier by asking yourself: “Does this spark joy?” whenever you pick up an item from your stash. If the answer is no, place it in the THROW pile and keep it out of your mind for good. Haven’t read Kondo’s best-selling book?

Thanks to Netflix, you can binge-watch Tidying Up with Marie Kondo to get a dose of decluttering inspiration.

7. Let go
Various sources state that we find it difficult to let go of certain things because of its sentimental value and the memories attached to it. While it’s hard to part with an item you’ve had for years, it can be liberating to let go of things you’ve had since kindergarten. Think of it this way, you’re simply making space for new memories!

8. Invest in storage bins
Your decluttering will be useless if you’ll just stuff everything you’ll keep inside drawers and cabinets. Don’t scrimp on bins and organisers as these can help keep your things in order. Place one in each area of the home as catchall to prevent clutter build-up.

9. Practice Lagom
The Swedish concept of Lagom, which focuses on everything in moderation, can guide you in keeping the home tidy. To practice Lagom at home, you need to prioritise the essentials and find space for things that serve a purpose.

Excess décor that can instantly turn into eyesores must be discarded so you can achieve a bright and airy home.

10. Make it fun and reward yourself
Cleaning the home doesn’t have to be boring. Play your favourite songs and don’t be shy to sing along as you go through rooms, cabinets, and drawers. Keeping things light and fun will surely make decluttering manageable. Once you’re done with the task, don’t forget to reap the rewards. Schedule a trip to the spa, see a movie, or enjoy a meal at your favourite restaurant. You deserve it!

Look out for useful facts and tips from us to make your life brighter. Talk to us anytime to know more.