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As the new year approaches, many of us are looking for ways to start fresh and make positive changes in our lives. One of the most rewarding and transformative resolutions you can start with is to declutter and organize your living space. Room to Breathe, a professional organizing company, shared a few valuable insights and tips to help you achieve these goals and stay motivated throughout the year to make your 2024 even better!

• Begin with the least sentimental areas:

Decluttering and purging are great ways to lighten weight off your shoulders, but it is often hard to know where to begin. Room to Breathe always recommends beginning with the least sentimental areas, organizing areas such as closets, kitchens, or bathrooms. Once you can start letting go of items, there is usually a momentum that follows that motivates you to want to carry on to other areas of your home.

• Donate, sell, or consign instead of throwing away:

Instead of simply throwing things away, consider donating, selling, or consigning your items. For those that hold value, selling them on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Poshmark can help you recoup some of the cost. Second-hand stores are excellent options for usable items when you don't have the time to sell. You can also make a greater impact by looking for local book, food, and clothing drives or supporting specific causes you care about in your community. Knowing that your items are directly benefiting those in need can make the whole process much more meaningful and easier. As you declutter, be sure to keep separate piles for ‘sell’, ‘donate’, or ‘discard’ by having different coloured bags/boxes set aside.

• Keep only what you love or need:

Room to Breathe loves to abide by this quote from William Morris: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” This is a great rule to follow as you declutter. What you keep should either serve a purpose or bring you joy. If an item doesn't meet these criteria, it's best to let it go. Following this guideline can make it surprisingly easy to release the things that have been weighing you down.

• Tackling sentimental items:

One of the most challenging aspects of decluttering is dealing with sentimental items. It's natural to have an emotional attachment to possessions associated with loved ones and memories. Room to Breathe suggests a helpful perspective: by letting go of these keepsakes, you are not erasing the memories or the impact they had on your life. Be selective about the sentimental items you choose to keep; only hold on to those that you absolutely love or really capture the memory of this person. Display and use these items to honour their memory and reduce the stress of holding onto unused possessions.

• Have a system that works for you:

The key to maintaining an organized living space throughout the year is to create a system that works for you. Don't feel pressured to follow social media trends or strive for perfection. Your organization system must be functional and sustainable for your lifestyle and family.

• Use labels:

Labels remind you of what goes where and help maintain the system. Once you’ve re-homed something, contain it and label it. You can even get your whole family on board so that everyone knows where everything goes. This way, every so often, you’re just doing upkeep and not re-organizing all over again. 

As you embark on your journey to declutter and organize your living space in the new year, remember that it's not just about tidying up, it's about creating a space that reflects your values, brings you joy, and helps you live better. Be patient with yourself and don’t hesitate to seek help from friends, family, or professional organizers if needed.