From Holiday Hectic To Year-End Serenity: A Guide To Clutter-Free

Declutter To Reinvent: Cat Coluccio

The December holiday season can feel like a whirlwind of activity and chaos.

This month can leave us exhausted and overwhelmed as we navigate parties, shopping, and family events. On top of this, down here in Australia and New Zealand, December also marks the end of the academic and working year, where families are juggling school, university, and work commitments on top of the holiday celebrations. All, while trying to get sorted for their summer holidays.

Enjoy A Calm And Clutter-Free December:

With all of this busyness, experiencing a serene and calm December can feel like a fanciful, elusive dream – right? And where on earth are you meant to find the time for introspection, reflection and planning so you can hit the New Year motivated and optimistic for the next season in your life?

“Saying “no” is perfectly ok to do!”

At this point, you might be considering spending most of the month sequestered in your bedroom with Netflix and a steady supply of eggnog. But don’t despair! Keep reading as I have compiled some practical tips to help you go from Holiday Hectic to Year-End Serenity, so you can instead enjoy a calm and clutter-free December. 

Start With Your Schedule: 

1. What are the essential commitments you need to attend this month?:

Whether these are work, social or family related, mark them in your planner. Got too many? Cut that list down so that you are only attending the essential ones. Saying “no” is perfectly ok to do!

2. Next, block out the time needed to prepare for these commitments:

For example, if one of those commitments is your hosting Christmas dinner, make sure to block out plenty of time to shop and prepare the food and house for guests. Going to a formal work function? Block out plenty of time to get glammed up so you arrive feeling confident and festive, not frazzled and resentful. 

3. Block out recovery time:

This might sound a bit odd, but if you are an introvert, you will know exactly what I am getting at! It’s hard to appreciate events when you are running from one to the other with barely enough time to catch your breath in between. Many introverts like myself have learned that we need to recharge our emotional energy with time out following an event with lots of noise, lots of people, and lots of small talk. Even if you are an extrovert, allowing yourself time out, rather than cramming every minute of the month with appointments will help you enjoy the commitments you do attend so much more. Think quality over quantity!

Whether you choose to use a digital planner, a paper planner, or do what I’ve often done over the years, which is to print out a large grid for December and post it on the wall of my office – just following these three steps of booking in your essential commitments, the preparation time and the downtime needed, will make you feel a weight off your shoulders right away!

“Think quality over quantity!”

4. Clear out one bit of clutter each day.

Gift wrapping? Use it as chance to sort through your wrapping supplies and throw out any creased paper or frayed ribbons you’ve been hanging on to “just in case.”

5. Putting up or down your holiday décor?

You are under no obligation to use the same raggedy tinsel you purchased a decade ago! Use this time as a chance to cull all of the broken and unused bits of décor that have been taking up room in your garage.

6. Got a big baking day planned in the kitchen?

While your cookies are baking, use that time to check all of the expiration dates on your baking ingredients. Got the next item in the oven? Do the same for another shelf in the pantry!

We’ve talked about all sorts of decluttering throughout the past year, and I always feel like December is the culmination. With so many commitments though, taking on a huge decluttering project can be too daunting, so committing to clearing just one thing a day can make a huge difference by the time January rolls around, and is perfectly doable. 

Focus On What Really Matters:

7. Feeling frazzled and overwhelmed?

Calm your nervous system with some deep breathing, then write down five things you are grateful for. Anxious about family tensions? Think of all the things you love about each person in your family, and consider how you could help ease their stress and create a calm, inviting atmosphere in your home. 

“Encourage your partner to do likewise if they are stressed too.” 

8. Exhausted with all of the “doing?”

Use some of that downtime you scheduled to refill your bucket. Treat yourself to a movie, a massage, or a manicure. Enjoy a long chat with a friend. Encourage your partner to do likewise if they are stressed too. 

Calm And Clutter-Free December Experience:

At the end of the day, I doubt that anyone would choose busyness and obligation over love and peace, so in those moments that you do feel stressed, remind yourself that we are so incredibly blessed to be able to celebrate these holidays with our loved ones, when there are so many in the world suffering. When you cultivate gratitude in your heart and put it into action by being a blessing to others, the true meaning of this season is shared.

A calm and clutter-free December can be your experience if you put these tips into action, and you’ll feel refreshed and ready to plan for the new year by the end of the month. My hope for you is that this December is filled with meaningful moments, wonderful shared experiences and a deep joy that is fueled by gratitude for the many blessings you have in your life. 

Additional resources can be found in Cat’s bio below.

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