You know the saying: new year, new me! Most of the time, this “new me” consists of diets, gym memberships, new reading goals, and fresh journals, but have you considered refreshing your living space for the New Year as well? The state of your environment has a lot to do with your mental well-being, so it’s equally as important to take care of yourself as well as your home. David Page, the owner of Bee Organized Denver, has three easy ways to declutter your home just in time for 2023.

First, remember that organization is a journey, not a destination. Certain seasons of life can bring about certain challenges to organization, so go easy on yourself as you navigate this journey. Like most good things, refreshing your space takes time.

1. Own less. “Whether you are purchasing less than you did before, or you’re getting rid of stuff you already have–make sure you are using the things that you have,” Page informs. The fundamental question is, does the thing make you happy? If you can answer that question with, “not really,” then you can donate it for somebody else to enjoy or get rid of it.
2. Make sure everything has a home. “People get in the mode of putting things up, not away,” adds Page. “We’re not really putting them in a home. Make sure those items actually have a place you designated for them.”
3. Maintain everything. This sounds simple, but it’s not always easy. “We as Bee Organized can consult with people on how to maintain things the best they can. A lot of times, people get caught up in having containers for everything, and all of a sudden you have a bunch of containers taking up too much space,” says Page. “We work with people to customize and sustain their organization. We even have an acronym called SPACE: sorting, purging, assigning, consolidating, and embellishing and educating. Bee Organized does the educating.”

In fact, 80 percent of the time, we only wear 20 percent of the clothes we own. That means you need to make hard decisions to purge your closet of that 80 percent you hardly wear. Organization requires tough decision making such as this, but there are kids’ groups, women’s centers, and other charities that will provide those items to people who need them more. 

“Disorganization decreases good feelings such as efficiency, productivity, and relaxation; it increases bad feelings like guilt, depression, and greed,” Page notes. “Organization brings a lot of peace and joy while eliminating all those bad feelings.”

So, make sure to add some organization to your list of new year’s resolutions, and don’t be afraid to ask for help! Even the smallest change can bring about the greatest peace of mind.