Organize for Success in the New Year: Your Home is Your Secret Weapon!
There’s something truly magical about the start of a new year. It’s like everyone collectively agrees to hit the reset button. Decluttering, reorganizing, starting fresh - it’s all not just acceptable, it’s practically celebrated! People expect change, and they’re cheering you on. The beauty of this mindset is that it gives you a free pass to evaluate your life, your habits, and yes, even your home.
Want to randomly clear out every drawer in your house on a Tuesday in May? Your family might stage an intervention. But tackle it early in the year as part of a New Year’s resolution, and suddenly you’re inspiring others to follow suit (or finally admit they can’t find anything either).
So, let's seize this moment to transform your home into a true partner in your life goals. The idea of a supportive home isn’t just practical; it’s empowering. Research shows - and I’ve seen this firsthand - that our physical environment deeply impacts our mental health and productivity. When our homes are in disarray, it creates stress and makes it harder to focus - it’s like trying to think clearly in a room full of buzzing mosquitoes. Conversely, an organized and functional home can be your secret weapon for tackling life’s challenges with clarity and ease.
What Does It Mean for Your Home to Work FOR You?
Most of us have a complicated relationship with our homes. We clean them, fix them, buy them things, and try to keep them in order - basically, we’re like our home's unpaid assistant with a to-do list that never ends. But what if we flipped the script? What if, instead of working for our homes, our homes started working for us? Imagine a home that’s not just a space to live in, but a place that becomes a supportive environment helping you move through life with more ease. You might be surprised how attainable this is. As a professional organizer, I've helped many people just like you create homes that truly support their lives. It’s 100% doable.
Think of your home as your employee. A good employee supports your goals, makes your life easier, and contributes positively to your well-being. But unlike human employees, your home doesn’t need raises, PTO, or benefits. It just needs a bit of upfront investment and thoughtful organization. Here are a few examples of what it might look like:
Getting kids off to school in the morning: A functional entryway with hooks for backpacks, a designated spot for lunch boxes, and a shoe organizer can turn chaotic mornings into smoother departures.
Making meals easier: A streamlined kitchen with organized cupboards, drawers, fridge, and pantry - you know what you have and where it is! This makes meal planning and cooking so much less stressful.
Relaxing and unwinding: Less clutter means less visual stress - you’d be surprised by the difference it makes. “Calm corners” with minimal distractions are wonderful spots for soaking in your favorite book, meditating, or listening to music.
Supporting your New Year’s resolutions: An organized home can help you stay consistent with goals like exercising more, eating healthier, or whatever you’re prioritizing for the upcoming year.
Speaking of New Year's Resolutions... Let's Talk About THOSE!
While there is an endless supply of New Year resolutions, some of the most common I hear are often centered around improving our health or fitness, self-care or mental health, or personal development. So many of these can be supported by our homes, and how we organize them. So often I see how decluttering and home organization can be a catalyst for positive change.
An organized home makes it easier to stick to new habits and goals like exercising (when your workout gear is accessible, ready, and all together in one place) or eating healthier (when your kitchen is set up for success). If we make it tough to stick with a goal, we probably won’t.
Let's look at a few common resolutions and how organizing within our homes might support them. Some of these were discussed during my January 3rd visit on the KPTV AM Northwest morning show in a segment called, “Get Organized & Make Your Home Work For You.”
Resolution #1: I want to exercise consistently. (Example: Yoga Every Day After Work)
Where to Start: A dedicated area where your gear is ready to go - no rearranging anything or unnecessary hunting for the stuff you need.
The First Step: Identify where you can declutter an area of your home, maybe rearrange some furniture, or repurpose a space to create an open area. Remember that if this is a New Year's resolution for you, this is a priority in your life. It's important. So let your home support it.
Making It Happen: If you want to practice yoga before or after work each day, having everything in one place makes all the difference. Because let’s be real: if it takes you 15 minutes to hunt down your gear because it’s scattered all over the house, and then move stuff out of the way to make room for the mat, it’s just not sustainable. Convenience is key. Think yoga mat, blocks, blankets, a strap, or whatever you need - your sassy yoga tights and tanks... all stored neatly in one spot so you can ease into your workout without frustration. When your workout essentials are visible and accessible, you’re more likely to use them.
If space is tight, consider portable solutions like a storage bin on wheels that can be tucked away when not in use. Small additions, such as a Bluetooth speaker for your workout playlist, can make the space even more inviting.
Resolution #2: I want to eat healthier this year. (Example: A Healthy Smoothie or Protein Shake Every Morning Before Work)
Where to Start: An organized drink station to make the process smooth and easy for those busy mornings when you need to get out the door quickly.
The First Step: Find a spot on your kitchen counter for your blender. This may mean taking some time to assess and declutter your kitchen, but trust me, it's worth it. If you are going to be using this blender every morning, you want it easy access - remove the barrier of having to pull it out of the cupboard or pantry every…single...day. I don't know about you, but that is not something that makes my heart sing at 7am.
Making It Happen: Store all of your prepped ingredients together in clear, labeled containers so you can see what you have at a glance. Keep them all on a tray, a lazy susan, or in a bin in the fridge / pantry / cupboard (wherever is appropriate). Then you grab it, throw what you need into the blender, then put the tray or bin back where it goes. You may need one for the fridge and one for the pantry, but again, keep it easy and think outside of the box. Don’t let the mythological ingredient police tell you that you can’t keep things like nuts or chia seeds in the fridge! Remember - the path of least resistance is best.
Below is an example of a smoothie station I chatted about with Helen Raptis on KATU AM Northwest. It’s simple, easy, and it keeps everything on one tray in the fridge. Just grab it, put everything in the blender, and then toss it back in the fridge! You can do the same thing for pantry ingredients with a clear bin. Easy peasy.
Resolution #3: I want to wrangle the chaos at home. (Example: Gaining Control Over the “Dump Zone”)
Where to Start: A mail & key station
The First Step: Designate a spot! Where is everyone dumping the mail and keys most frequently? How about school paperwork? I know that for my family, it’s the kitchen island.
Making It Happen: Start small - and don’t overthink it. Find a unit like the one below that can wrangle the paper and keys, but can also provide some some space limitations so things don’t get out of hand! Once a slot is full - well, you’ve got to deal with it. It’s a small system that can have a big impact.
PRO TIP: For tasks like handling paper and mail, try the “beverage rule.” Dedicate the time it takes to enjoy one cup of coffee, tea (or an adult beverage) to sorting through your mail, paying bills, and filing or shredding important papers. A little effort each week prevents paper clutter from taking over your space.
Many people think you need to start with a big project to really make a difference - but you absolutely don’t! Start small and gain momentum… little by little, project by project.
Resolution #4: I’m going to prioritize my mental health / personal growth.
Where to Start: A dedicated retreat space or "wellness zone" - whatever that looks like for you.
The First Step: Take a walk around your home and identify an area or room you can repurpose into your retreat. It might be a cozy corner, a spare bedroom, or even a section of a garage. Then consider what you need in that space to help you achieve your version of calm. This is very different for everyone. An online vision board can be super useful when thinking through what would really be an effective space for you. Make sure you consider how you want to use it - will you be reading? Listening to music? Meditating or drawing? Maybe for you, it's a woodshop out in the garage that is full of sawdust and power tools, but it provides a beautiful form of meditation for you. Whatever it is, find the space that brings you that mental health support you are seeking.
Making It Happen: Once you know where you want to create your space, first consider what is currently there. If what's there can contribute to the space you're hoping to create - great! Otherwise, you'll need to do a bit of reorganizing and decluttering first (which is never a bad idea, anyway). I really encourage you to remove anything and everything that doesn't have a direct contribution to the space. Less clutter means less visual stress - you’ll be surprised what a difference it makes. Then add in the items that you need to create your retreat - whether that's the coziest chair ever... or the world's greatest table saw.
Then soak it all in, and don't forget to prioritize time in your day to use your new space! Work toward making it a regular occurrence - something just as important as your morning coffee or taking a shower.
The Art of Keeping It Together: Maintenance Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult
Committing to maintenance is the real key to long-term success. Even the best organizing systems can fall apart if they aren’t maintained. But here’s the good news: it’s entirely doable with a little consistency and a positive mindset. Think of maintenance as part of your daily or weekly rhythm rather than a chore.
Room resets, for instance, can take just 15 minutes a day if you make them a habit. Walk through each room, put items back where they belong, fluff pillows, and clear surfaces. It’s a small effort that keeps spaces tidy and stress-free. In my last blog post, I mentioned that even as a professional organizer, my own home goes completely rogue sometimes - rooms can become a hot mess. Why? Because humans (and two crazy cats) actually live in my house. But the magic is that I have it organized in a way that I can "reset" any room in no more than 15 minutes. If you make it a habit and take just a few minutes each day, room resets are quick and easy. (And please - get your family involved! Delegating even small tasks can make a big difference.)
The key is consistency. By maintaining your systems regularly, you avoid the overwhelming task of re-organizing everything later. And if life gets busy and things slide for a bit, that’s okay. Just get back on track as soon as you're able - no guilt necessary.
Remember, it’s okay just sigh, giggle, and regroup when things don’t go as planned. That stack of papers you swore you’d handle last week? It’s not judging you - it’s just waiting for its turn. A little humor and a lot of grace can make the whole process feel lighter and more doable. I like to remind my clients that it's about progress, not perfection when it comes to getting organized - it’s definitely not a one-time pass/fail.
Let’s Make It Happen - Flip that Script
As you work toward your goals, just remember, the goal line isn’t achieving a perfect home, but rather a home perfect for you. Big difference.
This New Year, flip the script and give yourself permission to make the changes that will set you up for success. Whether it's decluttering your living room, reimagining your kitchen, or creating a dedicated space for a new hobby, every step you take is a step toward a home that truly supports you.
And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start with your home organization, I’m here to help. Together, we can turn your home into the best employee you’ve ever had. Please reach out - I'd love to get to know you better and learn how I can help you achieve your goals!
Hey there! I’m Kerry, and I’m a professional home organizer in the Northwest, specifically the Portland, Oregon / Vancouver, Washington area. I also travel up to the Mat-Su Valley region of Alaska (Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla) a few times a year - going everywhere clearing clutter from people’s homes. I’ll meet you where you're at, zero judgment (and will bring along a sense of humor).
We can declutter, organize, and create spaces that support the life you want to live!
If you’d like, you can learn a bit more about me here.
Want to schedule a no judgment, complimentary consultation? I’d love the opportunity to meet you, hear your story, and learn how I can help.
