Hi moms, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Happy New Year to you all.
This is my first post of the year. I have been busy, busy, busy. You know how it is.
Do you have any plans for the new year?
I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions. I wouldn't be able to keep up with them anyway.
However, the first of the year makes a great time to kick off some projects.
Anyways, It’s hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone already.
Christmas is such a time of joy and celebration, after all, it is a time that we remember the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus.
Yet, because of the commercialism part of it, it can also become an extra dose of clutter in the form of new gifts and decorations.
While it may be tempting to keep all those presents and trinkets forever, it’s important to take the time to purge your home after Christmas.
Doing so not only helps you make room for incoming things the following year, but also allows you to declutter your living spaces.
As I look around right after Christmas, I need to remind myself of these things. (Some things just have to go).
Since the holiday season has ended and the New Year is here, it’s time to start working on decluttering our homes.
One of the first things to begin decluttering your home is to get rid of excess items accumulated over the previous year.
In this blog post, we will explore why purging your home after Christmas can be beneficial and where to begin.
Moms, I can't stress enough the importance of staying on top of the things that enter your home.
I am speaking from experience. I know for myself, when I don't stay on top of decluttering it takes over my home. I'm sure a lot of you can relate.
Also, I have a large family so you can imagine the stuff that enters my home. If I didn't purge some things, I would barely find my home.
I think about the scripture in Psalms 51:7- Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
God has a perfect plan for our lives. He desires our hearts to be clean and washed.
Also, 1 Corinthians 14:40 tells us- Let all things be done decently and in order.
God cares about our hearts being clean and He is a God of order.
Just like we need to allow God to purge our hearts of things that aren't pleasing to him.
We also need to have our homes in order and that begins with moving things out of our spaces.
Afterall, you can't have your home organized and clean if it is overran with stuff. The organizing professionals say there needs to be a home for each item. However, there is only so much space. We know we have to many things when we no longer have a space for them, or things will just be everywhere.
(Remember, I am talking to myself, haha).
First, let’s discuss why purging your home after Christmas is important.
Clutter and disorganization can lead to frustration and stress. As well as it can actually decrease the productivity that you get done.
I know for me when I look around at a space that is cluttered and messy, it just stresses my brain.
Now, I'm not perfect at my home by no stretch of the imagination, however, when it looks out of disarray I can't hardly focus. After that, I just don't know where to start, and I put it off until later, or ignore that shelf or table.
Additionally, having too much stuff lying around prevents you from making space for new memories in your home. After all, where do we put it all?
Furthermore, purging can be beneficial from a financial standpoint. You can have a garage sale or throw your unused items on Facebook Marketplace. That's a good way to make some extra money.
After all, who doesn't need some extra cash around Christmas time?
Therefore, by clearing out space after Christmas, you are more likely to stay organized during the year and avoid impulse purchases that may only add to your cluttering issues.
I know that is how it is for me. I am learning that less is more. I’m not saying that I am a minimalist by a long shot, but having a little less stuff to pick up sure clears my mind.
The importance of moving stuff in and out.
It is amazing how much stuff I have accumulated over the years. So purging at least once a year helps to stay on top of the clutter and not let it get out of hand.
However, I am learning that more frequent decluttering is helpful as well. Doing this every few months keeps things under control and helps to keep my home organized and clutter-free.
Why it’s necessary to get rid of items to make room for current Christmas gifts
It is easy to forget that Christmas gifts while wonderful can take up space that may be tight, to begin with. By purging after Christmas, you are freeing up valuable space for new items.
This prevents you from being overrun with things in your house that can overwhelm you.
At least, that is how it works for me. When we have so much stuff that doesn’t have a home to keep it in. Then something has to go.
You only have some much real estate in your home and it is valuable.
I am not an expert on this at all. However, I am learning that there is no need to have stuff taking up room that you don’t use or your kid does not play with.
4 items in the 4 items out
A lesson that I have learned is, you get a new shirt or blouse, then get rid of an item that you don’t wear or use anymore.
So If you get 4 new Christmas gifts, then take 4 old items out.
Now don’t go through your closet and give away or throw away your favorite sweater, shoes, etc.
Remember it’s getting rid of things you haven’t used or even looked at in a year or longer.
It took me many years to get this concept. I have 8 children and I would just collect clothes, shoes, toys and more.
You can imagine the massive amount of stuff I had through the years. I still have 6 kids at home but I am trying to stop hanging on to so much stuff.
I just did a big purge before the family came for Christmas. Most of all it felt good to have my space and peace back it again.
I say most of it. I just broke down and got rid of a bunch of baby clothes that I have had for years. I have the sentimental bug.
My oldest is 27 and my baby is 9.
I just couldn’t bring myself to get rid of them. I frequently pray for God to help me be more organized, and he helped me with those baby clothes.
Disclaimer: I did keep some but they were manageable and would fit on a shelf. I felt like I had accomplished a lot.
Keep what you love or use, and pass along the rest
It is important to remember, though, that purging can be difficult. You may have a hard time parting with items that you have held onto for years or that have special sentimental value.
But remember that the goal of purging is not to get rid of everything that isn’t essential; it’s to be intentional about keeping only what you love, and the things you will use.
There are so many people in need out there and this is an easy way to help someone else out by giving them something you don’t need or want anymore.
So, keep what you love and use most often but give away or donate the rest. This will not only help someone else in need but will also help to keep your home clutter-free.
Why not make Christmas time a time to begin a new tradition of purging?
It can be a great way to start the New Year with less clutter and more peace of mind.
It will also make the following Christmas more manageable when new presents start coming in.
How to decide what to keep and get rid of
The first step in purging after the holidays is to figure out what items you want to keep and what you are ready to get rid of.
Here are some tips that can help:
• Start small – pick one area of your home, like a closet or storage space, and begin there.
• Ask yourself if each item still serves a purpose in your home. If not, consider parting with it.
• Have a plan for what to do with the items you want to get rid of – donate them to charity or have a yard sale.
• If something has sentimental value and you can’t bring yourself to part with it, store it away.
• Don’t keep items with the intention of using them in the future – if you haven’t used them in a while, they probably won’t get used.
The goal is to be intentional about what stays and goes so that your home remains clutter-free and organized.
After purging, you should feel like you have a fresh start and that your home is in better condition than before. Also, it will give me a sense of accomplishment. I feel like I have been productive in cleaning up my home.
The benefits of purging after the holidays are numerous – it can help to reduce stress, provide more space for what’s important, and make it easier to keep your home clean and organized year-round.
So take some time to go through your home and get rid of what you don’t need or use. You’ll be glad you did!
I hope this post has given you ideas of why decluttering after Christmas is a time to organize your home.
We are busy moms, let’s do things that will help our lives run more on autopilot. One of those things it clearing out space in our homes.
I tell my kids it’s easier to maintain our home rather than mounting piles of stuff that become overwhelming.
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