126: Simplify Your Space: Declutter Before the Holidays

Welcome to Organizing with Ease! I’m your host, Diana Moll, and I’m excited to kick off our October Focus: Simplify, Streamline, and Succeed series. Over the next five weeks, we’ll be exploring how to prepare your home and life for the upcoming holiday season—while keeping it simple and stress-free. In this episode, we’re diving into the importance of simplifying your space before the holiday rush begins. We’ll discuss practical tips to declutter and organize your home, making it a more enjoyable and peaceful environment for you and your loved ones.

Why Simplifying Now Matters

1.Mental Clarity: Clutter can significantly increase stress levels and decrease focus. According to a UCLA study, cluttered homes lead to higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. By starting your decluttering process early, you create mental and physical space to breathe.
2.Making Room for What Matters: The holidays bring an influx of decor, guests, and gifts. Clearing out unnecessary items now ensures you have space for the things that truly matter.
3.Setting the Tone for the Season: A well-organized home doesn’t just help you now—it makes the entire holiday season smoother. You’ll spend less time searching for things and more time enjoying your family, friends, and festivities.

The Fresh Start Method™ and Creating Lasting Habits

We discussed how the Fresh Start Method™ can help you declutter and organize your space effectively, forming habits that stick even during the busy holiday season. Here’s a breakdown:
1.Find & Sort: Identify areas in your home that need attention. Sort items into categories—Keep, Donate, and Discard—to set the foundation for a functional and holiday-ready space.

• Pro Tip: Use the Pomodoro Method by setting a timer for 25 minutes to focus on one area at a time. This helps prevent overwhelm and builds the habit of regular decluttering.

2.Reduce & Evaluate: Let go of items that no longer serve you. Ask yourself:

• Do I love this item?
• Does it fit my lifestyle now?
• Will it add value during the holiday season?

3.Systemize & Harmonize: Create simple systems to keep your space organized during the holidays, such as designated bins for holiday decor or a coat and shoe station in the entryway.

• Pro Tip: Label bins and use baskets to save time and energy in the long run.

4.Sustain & Tidy: Spend just 10-15 minutes at the end of each day tidying up. This simple habit keeps everything in place and prevents clutter from building up again.

Practical Decluttering Tips for the Holidays

• Guest Rooms: Declutter and organize your guest room to create a welcoming space for visitors.
• Closets: Apply the 80/20 rule to your wardrobe—let go of items you haven’t worn in a year.
• Kitchen & Pantry: Clear out expired items and organize your pantry to be ready for holiday cooking.
• Entryway & Living Room: Keep these high-traffic areas clutter-free and ready for holiday decor and gatherings.
  
  

How to Use the Pomodoro Method for Lasting Habits

The Pomodoro Method is perfect for building habits because it breaks tasks into manageable chunks

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