Everyday that we wake up is an opportunity to refresh and reset. But January has a different vibe. We are busy setting a plethora of goals…business…health and wellness…financial, etc. And these are great but can you imagine if our surroundings were just as organized and focused as our minds? This definitely puts us on the path to clarity and peace. I come from a Jamaican background and typically we do a big clean up before Christmas. However, come January there are still a few things to do to be ready for the New Year. I’ve shared some tips and tricks on how to get started. A word of advice, don’t try to complete this all in one day. Take it one room at a time and enlist help if you can. Now let’s get to work, myself included!
Declutter
It all starts here. Decluttering is the start of any successful home reset. Getting rid of items you no longer need frees up actual physical space. Have you ever noticed how after cleaning and decluttering a space you feel lighter and more focused? That’s the energy we’re going for. The rules here are keep, donate, or toss.With that in mind go from room to room and go through cabinets, closets, drawers and surfaces. Look for expired items, broken or stained items, duplicates and anything you haven’t used in a year.
Deep Clean
Once your home is decluttered it’s time to give it a thorough deep clean. Here’s a quick run down.
Bathroom- clean tub, shower, toilet and sinks. Wipe down the counter and mirror, cabinets and drawers. Wash or replace floor mats and shower curtain liner.
Kitchen- wipe down cabinets and backsplash, degrease the stovetop and hood. Clean inside the refrigerator and oven and sanitize countertops.
Bedrooms- Wash all bedding, dust furniture, vacuum carpets and wipe baseboards and blinds
Living Area- Dust surfaces, light fixtures and blinds and ceiling fans, vacuum floors and sofa. If possible wash sofa cushion covers. Mop floors.
Organize
Now that everything is decluttered and clean you can now organize and sort out what you have. Categorize items together neatly. Use containers and labels and create zones. Have a day-to-day system system to maintain order that’s easy to follow such as a routine for mail, keys and daily clutter. It would be horrible to do all of this just for it to become a mess again.
Finishing Touches
Now for the fun part! Refreshing your decor. Your space is decluttered, clean and organized. You can see if you actually need anything. Soft lighting like a lamp in your entryway will add a cozy feel especially for the winter. I love to switch out my candles, diffusers and hand soaps to a fresh scent. You can even change the throw blanket and pillow covers on the sofa. I like to add fresh flowers and greenery to vases to give the space life and vibrancy. The one last thing I like to do, and this might be over the top for some, is add a front door wreath and new welcome mat outside. Making sure the entry to my home is just as inviting as the inside.
With your reset complete, your home will be a refreshed oasis ready to embrace the new year. Again, tackle one or two areas a day to not overwhelm yourself but still get it all done.
Make your home the sanctuary you need for the new year.
xoxo, Kareen
