Excessive clutter isn’t just an eyesore; it has been associated with various issues such as low mood, feelings of shame and guilt, and diminished life satisfaction. Studies even show that a cluttered home environment, particularly for mothers, can lead to elevated cortisol levels, impacting the immune system negatively. Moreover, cluttered surroundings can hamper mental focus and disrupt quality sleep. As we approach the new year, it’s an opportune time to declutter our living spaces and embark on a fresh start.
- Expired Pantry Items
Commence the decluttering process by emptying your pantry and discarding any items past their expiration date. Take the opportunity to wipe down shelves and make note of grocery staples for your next shopping trip.
- Stained Tablecloths
Evaluate your collection of tablecloths, especially those with stubborn stains. Bid farewell to the ones that no longer serve their purpose and consider investing in a new, fresh tablecloth to welcome the upcoming year.
- Broken Christmas Ornaments
Post-holiday season, it’s essential to address any damaged Christmas ornaments. If they can’t be repaired, consider repurposing the fragments into unique wall art. Additionally, assess other seasonal decorations and part ways with anything damaged or no longer appealing.
- Mismatched Food Storage Containers
After the festivities, organize your food storage containers, discarding those without lids and vice versa. Consider donating excess containers you no longer need.
- Magazines
For avid readers, it’s time to sift through the accumulating pile of periodicals. Keep a few for guests, recycle the rest, and rest assured—more magazines will arrive if you have subscriptions.
- Old Makeup
Maintain your health and beauty by disposing of expired makeup, especially mascara. Bacteria can accumulate in makeup over time, so make space for fresh products in the coming year.
- Old Electronics
Free up space by parting ways with old phones or devices. Investigate if they hold any trade-in value with manufacturers or service providers.
- Books You Don’t Read
Reevaluate your book collection and consider donating books to charity sales or used bookstores. Keep favorites and explore new releases from the library to avoid clutter.
- Clothes That No Longer Fit
Declutter your closet by letting go of clothes that no longer fit or are out of style. Donate them to someone who can put them to good use.
- Outgrown Toys, Games, and Puzzles
Refresh the playroom by donating unused toys and discarding damaged games and puzzles. Keep a few nostalgic items as keepsakes.
- Extra Craft Supplies
If you’ve accumulated surplus craft supplies, donate them to a classroom in need and enjoy a well-organized craft room.
- Surplus Yarn
Knitters, take stock of your yarn collection and consider donating excess yarn to charities for knitting projects.
- Accumulated Emails
Start the new year with a clean inbox. Sort through emails, delete junk, respond to pending messages, and organize the rest into labeled folders.
- Christmas Lights That Don’t Work
Sort through holiday lights, test each strand, and discard non-functional ones. Organize them into separate bins for indoor and outdoor use.
- Papers and Broken Items in Your Junk Drawer
Tackle the kitchen junk drawer by discarding expired coupons, recycling old batteries, and organizing like items with a drawer divider.
- Excess Wrapping Paper
Donate extra gift wrap to charity services and discard scraps that are unlikely to be used.
- Kitchen Utensil Drawer Surplus
Transform your kitchen utensil drawer by getting rid of duplicates and damaged utensils. Consider using dividers for organization.
- Expired Medicine
Clear shelf space by disposing of expired medications. Check with your pharmacy for proper disposal methods.
- Unrecognizable Packages in Your Freezer
Discard unlabeled items in your freezer that have been there for over a year. Label future items for better organization.
- Health and Beauty Products You’ll Never Use
Donate unused toiletries and beauty items to shelters or social service programs.
- Bills, Statements, and Other Paper Mail
Reduce paper clutter by signing up for paperless billing. Shred unnecessary papers and recycle to keep your space tidy.
- Your Old Movie Collection
Consider parting with physical movie collections, especially if you no longer use DVDs or Blu-rays.
- Takeout Utensils and Condiments
Donate surplus takeout utensils and condiments to local shelters or food banks.
- Socks Without Mates
Start the year with a clean laundry slate by discarding single socks that have lost their mates.
- Dingy Sheets and Towels
Declutter your linens by getting rid of worn-out or stained sheets and thinning towels. Donate old towels to animal shelters for a win-win solution.
image source : istockphoto
