01/08/2025
January is the perfect time for a fresh start! Use this month to declutter your space, streamline your belongings, and set yourself up for a more organized year. Here's a more detailed guide to tackling clutter in every area of your home and life:
1. Check Expiration Dates on Pantry Items and Spices
What to Do: Go shelf by shelf and check canned goods, dry goods, and spices for expiration dates.
Pro Tip: Spices lose potency over time even if theyāre not expiredāif they donāt smell aromatic, itās time to replace them.
Next Step: Donate unopened non-perishable items that are still within date, but you wonāt use a local food bank.
2. Go Through Clothes
What to Do: Try the āone-year ruleāāif you havenāt worn an item in the past 12 months, itās probably time to let it go.
Options for Decluttering:
Donate to a charity or local shelter.
Organize a clothing swap with friends or coworkers.
Sell gently used items online through apps like Poshmark or Depop.
Bonus: Use this to reorganize your closet by season, color, or category.
3. Check Shoes
Worn-Out Shoes: Take them to a cobbler for repair if possible.
Unworn Shoes: Consider donating them to organizations like Soles4Souls or local charities.
4. Clear Out the Junk Drawer
What to Do: Empty everything out and sort items into three piles: keep, relocate, and toss.
Tips:
Use small containers or dividers to organize what remains.
Keep only truly useful items (e.g., scissors, pens, batteries) in the drawer.
5. Check Expiration Dates on Cosmetics
What to Do: Look at makeup and skincare products for expiration dates, typically found on the bottom or side. If thereās no date, use the āopenedā symbolāmost products are good for 6-12 months after opening.
Why It Matters: Old products can harbor bacteria and lose effectiveness.
Bonus: Streamline your routine by keeping only the products you use regularly.
6. Recycle Holiday Shipping Boxes
What to Do: Flatten and recycle all the boxes from holiday deliveries.
Pro Tip: Save a few sturdy ones for storage or future shipping needs.
Bonus: Use leftover tissue paper or bubble wrap for packing fragile holiday items.
7. Declutter the Medicine Cabinet
What to Do: Check all containers for expiration dates and dispose of expired medications safely (many pharmacies have disposal programs).
Pro Tip: Use a labeled bin or drawer organizer to separate items like first-aid supplies, daily medications, and travel-sized essentials.
8. Donate or Recycle Old Magazines
What to Do: Gather old magazines and decide which to keep for reference (if any).
Options:
Donate to local schools, art programs, or nursing homes.
Recycle the rest if donation isnāt an option.
9. Unsubscribe from Junk Emails
What to Do: Use email management tools like Unroll.Me or Clean Email to quickly unsubscribe from mailing lists you no longer want to hear from.
Next Step: Delete old junk emails to free up space in your inbox.
Bonus: Create folders or tags for important emails to keep your inbox organized going forward.
10. Check Condiments in the Fridge
What to Do: Open your fridge and look at expiration dates on sauces, dressings, and spreads.
Tips:
Toss expired items or those with altered smell, color, or texture.
Wipe down the shelves as you go for a clean slate.
11. Donate Holiday Items You Donāt Use
What to Do: As you pack away holiday decorations, assess what you didnāt use this year.
Next Step: Donate items in good condition to charities or thrift stores so someone else can enjoy them next season.
Bonus: Label your storage bins clearly to make decorating easier next year.
By the end of January, youāll feel lighter, more organized, and ready to tackle the year ahead! Whether you do everything in one weekend or spread tasks across the month, every little bit helps. šŖ
Credit: the health coach group
