5 Ways to Declutter in 2020
The holidays are over, and now it’s time to get back on track. What better way to jump start the year by decluttering! There is something so liberating about ridding yourself of unnecessary items and reorganizing, especially when you have to make room for all those new goodies you found under the tree this year!
Get rid of any unwanted clothes
If you haven’t worn it in the last 12 months, time to toss or donate it! The likelihood of you wearing it again continues to decline the longer it sits in the back of your closet. Statistics from Fashion United illustrate that 79% of the clothes in Canadian’s wardrobes have not been worn in the past 12 months. These items are taking up way too much valuable real estate in your closet space.
Clean out your pantry
You have likely accumulated an array of baked goods and extra ingredients from the holidays. Now is a good time to look through your cupboards and rid anything that may have expired or things you might not want to have as a distraction anymore. Since the New Year is a time to reinvent yourself, many of us decide to make resolutions to have a healthier diet. Getting ahead of the distractions before your find yourself eating that box of oreos at the end of a long week, is better than regretting your defeat later on.
Bin and label it
Label and put away your holiday items in appropriate bins. This might not be decluttering per say but it will save you the trouble of wondering which bin your outdoor lights are in next year before the holiday madness kicks in.
Toss unwanted and expired beauty products
Did you know that once your makeup, body and hair products are opened it typically only has a lifespan of approximately 12 months. If you have any products that you haven’t used within the last year, it might be time to toss them. A lot of the time bacteria sets in or the chemical breakdown can start to cause reactions and become less effective. While you’re at it, invest in some drawer organizers to separate your products. If something has a specific place you will be more likely to use it and put it back, resulting in less clutter.
Tackle your mail and paperwork
I’ve fallen victim to this very thing where I will put some “I will get to it later” mail in a drawer but rarely do I actually revisit the drawer. If I don’t tackle whatever is required right away (i.e. paying a bill or RSVP to an event) then it goes into the pits of the drawer and never sees the light of day again. If this sounds familiar, get ahead of it in 2020 and declutter that unwanted mail. Old greeting cards, coupons for places you never visit, restaurant promos and any other paperwork you have stashed away can hit the road.
