Resting My Body Then Organizing My Sh*t for The New Year

I end my year usually by taking the last week of the year off work. I need at least 4 or 5 days to chill and rejuvenate. This typically includes lots of naps, indulging in yummy food and holiday dranks, and much needed time with my family. After not working or working out for several days, I finally feel ready to put myself back in the game… slowly.

In order to set myself up for smarter productivity in the new year, I find that I operate better in spaces that work well. For me, this means no clutter, adequate space for everything that goes there, and an easy, quick way to deal with it all. It needs to be functional. I’m more relaxed and more productive in spaces that are simple and efficient, so with my time off this holiday weekend, here’s where I’m spending my time organizing: my purse & wallet, the kitchen, my closet, and my workspace. I tackle just one thing per day so it’s quick & doesn’t feel overwhelming.

Purse & Wallet: Lordt. I purposely carry a small purse so I don’t overload it with junk, but it happens regardless. I take everything out, throw away trash, organize receipts, and put away things that don’t go there. For my wallet, I do the same for receipts and take out every credit and membership card to reevaluate what needs to be in there and what doesn’t. My metro cards from San Fran, NYC, and Chicago that expired a couple years ago can go… haha. I take the change and put it in jars and either spend the cash on groceries/gas or put in savings.

Kitchen: I’m cleaning out the fridge by throwing out any old food and condiments and making sure the perishables are front and center so they don’t get missed. I’m organizing the spice cabinet and taking stock of what’s in the pantry and what might need to be replaced or thrown out. Doing all this ensures that cooking is as smooth and successful as possible, keeping us eating at home and out of the drive-thru.

Closet: I’m putting away clothes I don’t wear (seasonal) and refolding everything so I can see it all. If it’s all too tight a fit in the space, I’ve got too many clothes in there and need to find another place for it or donate it.

* This article on fast fashion problems, changed the way I think about shopping and has helped me keep a small but workable wardrobe.

Workspace: I’m self employed and have a desk at my fitness studio, but I do most of my admin work at my desk at home. I throw away the clutter, file what needs to be saved, organize and record receipts, recycle unnecessary items, and deal with whatever’s left (invoices, bills, deadlines). I want to have no more than one small stack of papers, my computer, notepad, and a pen.

Organizational Tips:

Less is more. Getting rid of clutter is the ultimate in feeling freedom – less sh*t to clean up! Instead of throwing things away though, recycle, give away, or donate anything you’re not using on a regular basis. Tip: Ask friends on social media if they need whatever it is you’re not using. If one day, you happen to need it back, ask them for it.

Don’t get distracted buying more things: I know it’s tempting to go buy a bunch of items that will make it feel like you’re getting more organized (like those cute canvas storage bins), but before you spend time adding things to your living space, ask yourself if you really need them and if you’ll actually use them in the future.

Don’t waste time in places you don’t use. I’m not organizing guest bathrooms or the garage because I’m never in there. Unless I have tons of time or am feeling really organize-y, I steer clear of the junk drawer and other areas that don’t directly improve my productivity.

Delegate! Each person in the house should contribute and can work on the area they spend the most time in so their own space is useful for them. Remember: If your kids are old enough to operate a phone/tablet, they’re old enough to organize their own rooms and play areas (and operate a dishwasher and washing machine). Try to resist the urge to “do it yourself because it’ll just be faster.”

Know when it’s time to out-source. Organizing my closet isn’t going to take me more than a half hour, so it’s doable over the weekend, but if you’ve got something that’s going to take hours, hire somebody else to do it for you. Hiring a local high school or college student for $50-$100 can be well worth it. This frees you up to focus on something else and they’ll be stoked to make some side cash.

The Result:

Usually after rest, family time, and organization, I feel AMPED. I’m ready to workout again. I enjoy being in my spaces instead of being stressed out by them, and by doing menial tasks like organization, I usually think about ideas that I want to implement in the new year. I get excited about what I can accomplish rather than feel down about what didn’t happen in the previous year. This is what works best for me.*

*I understand that this is a possibility because I’m self-employed, so I have the ability to take this week off for myself. I also don’t have small children, so it’s easier to implement. These are things that I’ve chosen for myself because I know how I work best. If this isn’t the case for you, don’t fret. I’m only sharing this because it works for me.

How do you prep for the new year?

I’d love to know!

Happy New Year!