Although I regularly de-clutter throughout the year, there’s one time where it’s on my mind more than ever – and that’s December. Specifically just before the New Year. Although there’s NO right or wrong time to de-clutter, I find going into the New Year knowing I’ve made an effort to de-clutter my life – physically and emotionally – and start on the cleanest, fresh slate I possibly can is very motivating.
In this post, I’m going to be outlining some of the MAIN areas of my home and life that I like to concentrate on de-cluttering before the year is out. These are the places that I find makes the biggest impact. When my life is cluttered, my mind often feels cluttered too. So de-cluttering these spaces (both physical and digital) makes a world of difference in how I feel heading into a new year.
Because nobody wants to go into a brand new year feeling scattered, do they? Despite what you might think about new years resolutions, whether you set them for yourself or not, a new year can ALWAYS feel like a brand new start – if you let it. And I struggle to find that feeling if I go into a new year with things I feel are left unfinished.
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Which is why I always like to finish the book I’m reading or finish the series I’m watching before the month or the year ends! It’s just a little, insignificant thing, but it helps me feel more grounded as the calendar flips over.
I’m lucky in that because I’m self employed, I can give myself some time off over Christmas. I always block out a whole week to do whatever the heck I want and give myself some well needed time off, which is usually when the de-cluttering commences. Whether you do the same or do it one small area at a time, it’s all good.
28 things to de-clutter before the end of the year:
Your bedroom
Bedroom clutter builds up more than anything else, I find. And it drives me absolutely MAD when my bedroom is not only a mess but also crammed with clutter. A few things worth de-cluttering before the end of the year from your bedroom are:
- Your wardrobe (this is a big one because you can donate or sell unwanted items from here)
- Your make-up (anything out of date or you don’t use)
- Shoes and accessories (you may still be able to donate these if they’re in good condition)
- DVD’s, CD’s, games and books
- Old bedding and blankets
- Pajamas and underwear (anything with a hole in, GET RID OF IT!)
- Broken, unused or tatty home-ware, to make space i the New Year for beautiful new pieces like curtains and home furnishings
Your office or workspace
When I first “moved in” to my garden office in the Spring of 2021, I was adamant that it was going to ALWAYS be tidy and clean and I wouldn’t barely have anything in it. That quicklyyyy went out of the window. And I’m sure most people with their own desk, office or dedicated workspace can relate! Some things to think about when de-cluttering your office is:
- Paperwork (be careful with this one – don’t throw ANYTHING that you’re not 100% sure you won’t need. But for the most part, there’s probably a lot of crap bits of paper floating about in your office, so make sure they get recycled)
- Broken stationery or pens that don’t work
- Ornaments or stuff on your desk you don’t want or need
- Notebooks, journals and planners
Your phone and your laptop
Your digital clutter will build up monumentally throughout the year. Digital clutter isn’t something we often think about when it comes to de-cluttering but it’s SO nice to go into a new year with a fresh slate on your digital devices. Some things you could probably do with de-cluttering on these are:
- The photos on your phone
- Apps you don’t use
- Old text messages
- Numbers of people you no longer need
- Downloads that aren’t needed
- The images on your laptop (put them on a USB instead)
- Saved web pages in your bookmarks
- Games you no longer play
- Programs installed that you no longer use
- Folders and documents
Other electrical devices
And digital clutter doesn’t often stop there as a lot of us have tablets and games consoles. For tablets, a lot of the above points apply. But you might also want to consider:
- Deleting images from your camera memory card that you don’t need (I NEED TO DO THIS!)
- Deleting games from your PlayStation / X Box that you don’t play anymore
- As well as deleting any saved game slots or information to clear up space
- Delete apps you no longer use
Your online space
If you’re reading this post, it’s probably safe to say that you have some online space that will need a de-clutter. Even if you think it doesn’t it probably does! Here are some things you could think about de-cluttering in your online world before the New Year:
- Your Facebook friends
- Who you follow on social media
- The websites and apps you’re signed up to (deactivate or delete accounts)
- Your blog (getting rid of things like broken links, spam comments, updating or deleting old content, your image library etc)
Do you like to de-clutter before the end of the year? What are the main areas that you focus on de-cluttering? Let me know in the comments!
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I started decluttering my homespace from cleaning my closet to throwing (reciclyn) old towels and bedsheet plus giving some new purpose of life when it comes to furniture.
Decluttering my social media is on my list and some of the oldest blog post which is something I need to plan and sit down to it.
Great post!
Michelle| http://www.brokebutflawless.com
Hope you get around to decluttering your social media!
I started to declutter after Christmas and got rid of so much paper as well clothes and old jewellery that I don’t wear anymore. I donated everything to charity, which makes me feel good, I do good and very important to me things don’t go to the bin and other people will enjoy them.
Good tips here Jenny, I could probably do with some digital de-cluttering as I never do that. I’ve been trying to de-clutter as we have been renovating, but I know I kept stuff “just in case” so I do need to do a room by room de-clutter too. Thnks for the reminder.
Lots of good ideas here for starting the New Year off with a clean slate…always a work in progress!!! It is amazing how things really start to add up…Also, other people can use our gently used items that we no longer need. I promise myself to fill one bag at a time. That way I am not overwhelmed and can work on one area at a time.
Yes absolutely there will always be stuff to donate or give to friends and family!
This holiday season I decided to de-clutter, instead of buying more stuff and I love my decision! Working most of these are here, but the wardrobe has been a tricky one! xx
Great decision!
I hadn’t thought about decluttering my phone! Well I think I should considering 20k + photos are just sitting there! These are great ideas. Thank you for sharing them x
Hahaha yes! I wish I could fit 20k photos on my phone but I’ve completely run out of storage!
I love a good declutter. I always try to download photos from my phone and declutter my home before the start of a new year too. Its just so refreshing.
It really is refreshing isn’t it. Feels like a proper brand new start.
I love this! Especially the part about decluttering your phone and laptop!
Lots of love,
Krissi of the marquise diamond
https://www.themarquisediamond.de
Yes! Something a lot of us seem to forget!
I definitely want to do a spot of decluttering before the new year! I can barely open my beauty draw, so that seems like it will be the best place to start x
Oh no! Definitely a good place to start!
Oh this is such a good list. I definitely need to declutter some things before the end of the year as well. Thanks for sharing
Hope you get around to it!
I think we tend to forget about online decluttering. This post reminded me that I need to delete a bunch of text messages and emails from my phone.
We definitely do!
I’ve been trying to do this! I recently did my room but I REALLY need to get into Leos room. His cot is just full of old clothes. It’s a nightmare!
Corinne x
Oh no! Hope you get around to it soon!
i love decluttering this time of year because it really does start you on a clean slate. I try to declutter regularly – almost monthly which has helped. But as you said, this time of year just always feels like the perfect time to clean & get organized! great post!
It really does, it’s the best time to declutter!
I know “spring cleaning” is a thing, but Christmas and New Year are my favourite times to declutter! Got to make room for all of those bath sets.
I totally agree, I much prefer an end of the year clearout!
I’m due to have a declutter before the New Year starts and I love the ideas you have given me here! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Yay, good luck!
I do not like clutter so I try to keep it away all year round. Your post is very helpful to remind me of areas I need a little help in decluttering that I haven’t thought of on my own. Thanks for sharing.
Yes same but it does build up very easily and very quickly!
Yes! And I need to declutter my makeup box, some old stationeries, and clothes.
Make up is always one that needs doing!
We are planning to move back to Italy by next summer, and this list couldn’t have come at a better time considering we will have some time to declutter during the holidays! I’m saving it for later and will get back to it when we start it – we definitely need all the help we can get here!
Oh yes for sure! Hope this list helps!
I declutter my laptop weekly, but not with my phone lol this is something that I have to do before the end of the year x
I should start doing that!
Definitely need to declutter my closet from time to time,
my phone and the rest on the list. For example, my gmail
is almost full as I didn’t erase my messages before.
Thanks for the tips..
My closet needs a REAL de-clutter at the moment!
I always love a good declutter before the new year starts, it gives me a fresh mind and makes me very happy. I usually declutter my wardrobe and makeup as that’s what I tend to allow to build up. I’ll defiantly be declutting a lot more thanks to the ideas you shared, thank you so much lovely! Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
It really does, it makes me so happy going into the new year organized like that!
Decluttering your phone and workspace is so important, and a good way to start off the New Year x
Absolutely! 🙂