As I’m sitting here writing this, I am completely emotionally and mentally drained. I wrote a post a little while ago about 2016 with a person note from me to the universe about what 2016 has taught me from being so utterly shite Well, it’s the year that just keeps on giving and it’s not over yet but I’ve started to get into my ‘preparing for the new year’ mind-set, which is one I always enjoy. I’m an avid tidy-upper and sorter-outer as it is and I’m in my element when I’m sorting things, cleaning things and generally organising things and there’s no better time than the end of a year – especially a bad one – to do that. Here are some things I like to try and do to prepare for the year ahead.
Clothes: I don’t find it difficult to throw things away but clothes do always pose a slightly bigger problem as I’m sure many of you will be familiar with the phrases, ‘Well, I’ll probably wear it one day’, or the ‘But it’s so pretty I couldn’t bare throwing it away’. Anything that doesn’t fit, bin it. Anything that you’ve not wore in over 6 months, bin it. Anything that you bought 12 years ago and still has the tags on, bin it. Or better still, give them to a charity shop. It is Christmas after all and you can end the year doing a good deed.
Have a massive sort out: As well as my clothes, I love to have a huge clear-out of my entire bedroom and everything in it. I turn my entire bedroom upside down, sort out every single drawer and don’t leave a stone unturned. I hate clutter as it is, so the more things I can throw away, the better. Anything I don’t 100% need or want is either thrown, sold or given to charity. I do this a few times throughout the year but always make an extra effort near the end because then you can almost go into the new year having rid yourself of things from the past one.
Organise my laptop folders: With blogging and having an online business, I save a lot of stuff to my laptop. As soon as my last blog post of the year has gone up or my last blog tour has been complete, I’ll grab my USB stick and transfer everything I want to keep from my laptop onto it. But before that, I’ll always go through each and every folder and delete as many files as I can. I also get all my files ready for next year and although they will be empty right now, at least they’re ready to go for when the new year begins!
Narrow down my Facebook friends: There’s nothing I find quite as satisfying as deleting Facebook friends. I know that sounds really anti-social and mean but do you really need to keep that one girl who you met briefly in a club toilet 4 years ago and haven’t spoken a word to since? Absolutely not. It can be so freeing to rid yourself of people from your past. Even if you’ve never been on bad terms with them, if you haven’t spoken to them or thought about them in years then it’s time to let go. No hard feelings but let’s move on.
Finish books I’m in the middle of reading: I don’t know if this is just me but I cannot stand going into a new year in the middle of a book. I always like to finish the book/s I’m reading before the year is out so then I can start afresh with a brand new one for January. I also make much more of an effort with Goodreads at the beginning of the year too so I’ll set myself a brand new reading challenge (which will be much easier than this year’s one!)
Great tips! Hope 2017 is a better year for you.
Great post Jenny – all of the ones about sorting things out like computer folders can save so much time and stress come the New Year, and you’ve reminded me I need to do that myself! I’m so sorry to hear that 2016 has been a difficult year for you as well. This year, by far, has been a hard one and it seems to have affected a lot of people – I wouldn’t be lying if I said I’m glad we’re nearing the end of it now, as I’m ready for a fresh start and a clean slate! I hope you’re doing OK <3 – Tasha
I love these tips! I agree on the clothes I just finished going through mine and really thinned it out! It is a hard one, but I took my time and really thought what I actually wear!
These are some great tips – I might actually use some of these to prepare for the New Year myself. I love the decluttering tips – I try and do this regularly throughout the year as it just feels so good to get rid of stuff you don’t need! x
I do a closet clean out too! I like to donate my gently worn clothing to local clothing drives but this year, I surprisingly haven’t been buying too many clothes I don’t wear. Maybe I’m getting better at de cluttering
Maybe! Great that you give them away though, that’s always a lovely thing to do (: I don’t have many clothes as it is really so this year it was difficult to throw stuff but I gave my mum a few items!
Jenny, I can personally relate to your feelings re 2016! I would really like the freshest of fresh starts for the New Year and will be doing my own cleaning jobs much the same as yours. Thinking about my blogging and writing I want to do so much more in the New Year and, as for reading, I am determined to enjoy that aspect of my life to the full and not let it become a ‘chore’.
Best wishes – always look forward to your posts!
Thanks so much (: the freshest of fresh starts sounds absolutely wonderful to me – something I DEFINITELY need! Hope 2017 is better to you, too <3
Hi Jenny!
I’m sorry that 2016 has been a rough year for you. Hang in there, we have almost reached the end! You have created excellent goals to bring 2016 to a close. I admire you for planning ahead. You have inspired me to start doing the same!
Each new year I like to start a “project” of some sort to blog about. My 1st two years of blogging I did a Happiness project. This year I have done another project that has probably been my most successful. Have a wonderful rest of your year!
<3 Alana
Aww a project sounds nice – wish that was something I could do. I’ve sort of started one – from mid-November I’ve been writing something I’m grateful for in a notebook every day and I’ve kept that up so far so really happy about that. Hoping to carry that into next year and do it for a whole year (or more!) xx