7 Ways to Start the New Year Organized

October through December seem to be wonderfully filled with so much holiday cheer and festivities. As December winds down our focus begins to shift to starting the new year fresh. I made a list of 7 ways to start the new year organized. Use these awesome tips to get you launched into the New Year more organized and hopefully stress free.

I love to stay organized and on top of my schedule. What better way to start the new year than with a Planner and some pretty office supplies?! I used to try and manage it all digitally, but I switched back to pen and paper this year. You wouldn’t believe the difference it made. Keeping my schedule on paper is the best. The physical act of writing it out and seeing it all in front of me at the same time is incredibly helpful. Additionally, I keep both a monthly and weekly schedule. The weekly schedule allows me to plan out each day while seeing how they all fit together in my week. How do you keep your schedule?

I love the new years because it motivate us to make a fresh start! Here’s 7 quick tips to launch you into the New Year, just a little more organized:

7 Ways to Start the New Year Organized

1. Declutter

   Don’t over think this one, just do it. Take a garbage bag around your house and throw out all the junk that isn’t worthy of goodwill. Toss out old magazines, papers, broken gadgets and toys. Get rid of old partially used things: condiments in the fridge, beauty care items, makeup, nail polish. Go through your kitchen and pantry tossing expired food and mismatched containers.
   
   Next start a box for goodwill. Go through your closet and bag up any clothes and shoes you haven’t worn in a year to giveaway. Toss anything with rips and holes. Continue going from room to room and purge! If you don’t love it, donate it. Movies, books, knick knacks, if it’s cluttering up a space, this is a great time to get rid of it.

2. Tackle one room at a time

   Take a basket with you and fill it up with anything that doesn’t belong in that room. This will save you from making multiple trips back and forth. When you’re all done with one room take the basket with you and move on to the next. You’ll also find that accomplishing a room will give you the motivation to move on to the next one!

3. Create designated spaces

   Thirdly, designate spaces where things will go. A hook, bin or dish, whatever it is you choose to contain items in their proper place. For example, a hook or dish by the door for your keys, a bin or basket for all your electronic cords and remotes. Label your bins or baskets and group similar items together for storage. Then put anything you don’t use regularly away.

4. Put half of your decor away

   If you have a lot of decor cluttering up your spaces, bookcase, or coffee and end tables, go for a more minimal approach by simply putting some of it away. Rotate decor seasonally even if it isn’t seasonal decor. As a result you’ll clear up some space and get to enjoy different pieces throughout the year.

5. Create routines

   Make a weekly cleaning system and block it off on your calendar. Designate different days for specific tasks. Maybe Monday is laundry day and the trash gets taken out on Tuesdays, while Wednesdays are the days you sweep mop and vacuum… Before you know it, it will be a habit to get those things done on those days.

6. Plan and prep your meals

   Doing your meal prep in advance is not only a huge time saver, it’s also budget friendly. Pick up and prep what you need on the weekend for the whole week. Dinner becomes a cinch when everything is already peeled and cut up. For instance, cook in batches, sectioning out meals to grab easily for lunches. Don’t have time for a whole week of prep? Do half a week at a time. Cook a little extra for dinner intentionally so you can portion out your lunch for the next day. Decide what you’ll make for breakfast the night before for easy preparation in the morning.

   

   RELATED: Slay Your Goals Anytime of the Year

7. Utilize a Planner

   It can be paper or digital. Find something that works best for you. I love picking up a pretty new planner every year. Find something you will be excited to use all year long! Making lists and putting my schedule and to do’s in a planner keeps me organized year round! Every day I look at my weekly planner and update it as needed. I never fully commit to any plans until I review my schedule and confirm I am available. I also block off one evening a week to maintain margin in my life. Whatever is left on the to do list from the day before gets transferred to a fresh to do list.

Let me know which tips you utilize and share your best organizing tips below! Hope these 7 ways to start the New Year organized get you off to a great start. Wishing you all the Happiest of Holidays!

xoxo Naomi