Five Ways to Organize as the Seasons Change
Fall always feels like a fresh start to me. I open the windows, let the crisp air in, and look forward to the holiday festivals that are just around the corner. Then all of a sudden, we're well into the school year, Halloween has snuck up, and Thanksgiving plans are underway. We all start new beginnings with the best of intentions to get organized, but the pressure to do more and be more somehow wins out every time.
Everyone knows the importance of rest and down time, but we rarely make it a priority. With the weather transitioning, I’ve come up with this list of five tips to help keep your physical space (and your mind!) a little more clutter free as you brace for the holiday season and beyond.
1. Don’t let winter take you by surprise. Winter is a pretty big part of life in Minnesota. We cling to the warm days of summer and wear shorts well past the appropriate temperature, but somehow the first day we need hats and mittens, I never have them at the ready.
Do it now. Set a reminder on your phone. Put a post-it on your mirror. Whatever you need to do! Get out the cold-weather gear, make sure it fits, and is ready when that first frost hits. Donate or discard the sets that have been outgrown, and make a list of what is needed for the new season. I love Kid A Consignment or Once Upon A Child not only to purchase gently used kid gear, but also to sell back the pieces my kids grew out of.
2. The pro organizers favorite two words: “Drop Zone.” With the influx in gear, clothing, backpacks, homework (and in the case of my collector children, rocks, twigs, and leaves) designate your family’s “drop zone” – the place where everyone takes off shoes and coats, drops their bags, etc. Whether it is a full mudroom or just a hallway, anticipate your needs to make the space work for you! Does your family refuse to use coat hangers? Over the door hooks or an installed hook rail will keep coats off the floor. No closet for storage? Hanging or wall mounted baskets make vertical space more functional. Kids bringing home souvenirs from the playground? Give them a jar or box with their name on it to keep their treasures. When the box is full, it’s time to get rid of some things. Identify your family's weaknesses and look for specific solutions.
3. Pare down. We are fortunate to live in a society of excess. As the weather cools and we head into a season of thanks and appreciation, it is a natural time to pare down toys, clothes, and unused items in our homes. Spring cleaning gets all the press, but I love to enter the winter months feeling clutter free and minimalist, making room in my house and my soul for gratitude.
Go through your summer clothes and discard the ones you didn’t wear this year. Have your children choose a few toys in good shape to donate to a shelter or toy drive. Round up any old towels and blankets and donate to your local animal shelter (Bonus: You get to see some cute animals while you’re there!) Ridwell is a twice-monthly service that collects and recycles lightbulbs, batteries, plastic film, and textiles, right from your door, but also has a rotating category to help you declutter all year long! Any time is the right time to get rid of unwanted and unused items, but think of this as your winter “nesting”. A clutter free home is a gift to yourself you will never outgrow!
4. Reset expectations. Your home should serve you, not the other way around. You have control over what comes into your home, and what stays there. While gifting is a common and often enjoyable part of the holidays, if you find yourself using what should be your down time to tidy and declutter, it might be time to reset expectations with your loved ones.
Cultivate a culture within your home that is particular about what enters. If grandparents and relatives are looking for gift ideas for your family or children, give them non-material ideas such as experiences or consumables (look for our next post on holiday giving!). Write “no gifts please” on party invitations. Practice declining promotional products and giveaways. Set an example by offering time instead of a material gift.
According to Marie Kondo “The true purpose of a present is to be received.” You will inevitably receive items you don’t love, or even like. The gift is not the person, and hanging onto something you will never use or don’t care for doesn’t do anything to honor or strengthen the relationship. Always thank the gifter graciously, and if it is not something that suits your taste or style, you are allowed to discreetly donate or discard that item. Your home is your space and you get to choose what lives there.
5. Know thyself. After all her kids grew up and moved away, my mom went through a phase where she didn’t put up a single holiday decoration. She said she got so stressed out every Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas unpacking and repacking decorations, it stopped being fun. If decorating for the holidays doesn’t bring you joy, don’t do it. Similarly, if sending holiday cards is a time suck, hosting a “friendsgiving” sounds like a chore, and participating in a cookie exchange makes you cringe, don't do these things. These are traditions that many people do out of habit, but do not necessarily enjoy. If you do enjoy these traditions, make it a family activity that everyone can help do together (including clean up and tear down!). With so much of our lives on display with social media, creating that Pinterest-perfect, home for the holidays look sometimes overshadows the real sentiment.
Years ago, I invited a friend to join a book club I had started. She replied “Thanks for inviting me, but that sounds really boring.” I was at first taken aback, but then appreciated her candor - I learned more about her interests (and disinterests) and she protected her own time. She could have been a little less rude in her response, but it is OK to decline an invitation, even if you don't have a “good” excuse. Make plans to not have plans!
