She Plans: Tasks to kick off the new year with a clean slate
We’re on the cusp of a new decade and that can seem like a BIG DEAL. After all, 10 years is no short amount of time. Many of us have crushed some major life moments in the 2010s and those should be remembered fondly and be celebrated. But if you’re ready to move onto the next decade with little fanfare, that’s cool too. The pressure to reflect and properly store those big memories can seem overwhelming and take an abundance of energy. I prefer to spend that energy looking forward.
You might thing that this is where I tell you about my goals/intentions/resolutions for 2020. For me, those things also feel a little overwhelming. I’m a big fan of goal setting and having something to work for, but I like the freedom of being able to set those goals at any time and adjust as needed. I also find trouble in the whole “new year, new you!” mindset that social media and advertising pedal this time of year. We already think you’re great. If you have things you want to achieve, that’s awesome! We’ll be here cheering for you. But, don’t for one second thing there’s something wrong with you that you need to create an entirely new version of yourself.
*Hops off soap box*
All this said, order and organization run through my veins and actively help me when there’s a big shift in the world. So, in place of resolutions, I like to spend some time creating order to kick off the new year on a clean slate. If you don’t have the time to invest in a whole house deep clean, here are a few ways in which you can “clean up” your everyday life to head into 2020 with a clear mind:
Clean out your inbox
How many of the emails that go to your personal email are sales promotions for stores you’ve shopped at maybe once? Yeah, mine too. That’s why I set aside some time at the end of the year to unsubscribe from emails in my inbox that no longer serve me. Maybe they’re store promotions, maybe they’re emails from a random list I ended up on. Whatever it may be, your inbox- like your headspace- should be a place that’s customized for you and serves you.
I started doing this trick a few years ago and cannot stress enough how much it has helped organize my inbox, save me time and honestly, save me a little money. If you don’t know about the Madewell sale, you can’t accidentally drop $100 on new jeans you don’t really need.
Organize your closet
In all fairness, I LOVE to organize my closet. I do a deep clean about 4 times a year, but I like to do mini cleanouts in between as well. It’s a never-ending intention of mine to be mindful about my possessions and, as soon as I see something in my closet that makes me go “oh, I forgot about that!”, I know it’s time to evaluate. If you have time for the Marie Kondo method, go nuts! The things you have SHOULD bring you joy. If you don’t have that kind of time or ambition, here are some tried and true methods that help me keep my closet organized:
Color coding – I organize all my hanging clothes by the colors of the rainbow. So, start with red and end with white. Keeping similar-colored items together is a time saver when getting dressed in the morning!
The backwards hanger method – At the beginning of every new season, I turn my hangers around backwards (so the opening on the hang part is facing you instead of facing away). Every time I wear something and hang it back up, I turn the hanger back to normal. At the end of the season, I take stock of everything that is still facing backwards (aka things I didn’t wear). Most of those things end up going in the donation bin.
Find a way to donate that brings you joy – If you’re like me, you hang onto things far longer than you should and it’s mostly for sentimental reasons. If you find a way to donate those items that makes you feel good or benefits you in some way, getting rid of those items becomes much easier. I personally like to find women’s shelters to donate to or consign current, name brand items.
Streamline your social media
Oh, social media. Many of us have a love/hate relationship with these platforms and for good reason. They have major influence but regulating the information they host can be tough. But, like your inbox, you can (and should!) customize your accounts so they serve you. For example, I made it a goal this year to unfollow anyone online that pushes instant weight loss or detox products. I personally think those things send a negative message and encourage body image issues. Whatever your reason, your social media is under your control and it should make you happy. Gladly click that “unfollow’ button if it doesn’t.
Map out your year
The pinnacle of order and organization for me is my planner. I still have a handwritten planner in which I document my schedule and keep my life together. I find immense joy in filling in my schedule, color-coded ink and all! If you’re new to the planner universe (or don’t find the pleasure in organization that I do), start small and use a medium that makes sense for you. If your phone is your bible, use the calendar app. If you need to write it down to remember, there are some great physical planners from pocket to notebook size that can work for you. Give yourself 30 minutes to write down all the big events, holidays, birthdays, etc. you want to remember for the entire year. With all the big stuff already documented, you’ll only need 15 minutes here and there to fill in the smaller details as they arise on a month-by-month or week-by-week basis.
The start of a new year can be a wonderful time to work on building new habits, get organized for the year ahead, or set new goals. But January 1 doesn’t need to be the only time to do these things. Carry these tips with you for quick and easy ways to get back on track if you’re feeling a little frazzled throughout the year.
All the health and adventure for 2020 and the next decade,
Charlotte