Welcome to 2016! Make This Your Best Year Yet

NextStep is all about helping you move. But we’re also really into organizing what you have so you can live life without all that excess stuff weighing you down. Whether you’re moving soon or staying put, it’s a good idea to get in control of your stuff and get rid of what’s no longer used or needed.

I’ve read all the Clear the Clutter Challenges, plus the books on being ruthless and doing your whole house at once. While that might work for some, I’m a realist and I know that most of us have neither the time nor constitution to attack our whole house in one cleaning sweep. I believe that slow and steady wins the race. And I also believe in setting realistic, attainable goals.

So my challenge to you is to take on just one decluttering or downsizing project each month. As you work on making this year your most organized one yet, we’ll provide monthly project suggestions to help you make big changes by the end of 2016.

Get your house in order Tip #1 for January 2016

Tackle the holiday surplus! Now that the holidays are over, this is the perfect time to get things in order. Here are four easy steps to make it happen:

1. Christmas Decorations: Like most people, you probably have 3 or 4 bins of Christmas lights and decorations that have not seen a tree or front yard for many years. If so, get rid of them now. Only keep what you use (or what you’re saving for your children).
2. Holiday Dishes: Before you cram all the serving pieces and entertaining platters back into the China cupboard or kitchen cabinets, take a look at what’s already in there! Are there fragile items you no longer use or even care about? Pull them out and donate them to someone who will use them. Free up some space so you can easily access and get to the things you do use.
3. Gifts: Did you get new shoes, coats and pajamas for Christmas? Take the position of “in with the new, out with the old” and let go of stuff that does nothing more than clutter your closets and drawers. After all, how many pairs of socks do you really need? If you got 6 new pairs of exercise socks, then get rid of 6 old pairs of gray socks!
4. Children’s Toys: You can have too many of them – really! When making room for the new bounty of children’s gifts, remove some of the older toys they have outgrown or no longer play with. Make it a game for your kids, with the winner being some other child who could really use and love their excess toys.

Now that you’re in control of your holiday surplus, onward to your best year ever!

Take the NextStep

Taming your stuff doesn’t have to be an impossible task. Do you need help getting your house in order?  Seattle residents and businesses have come to rely on us for the personalized services we provide. Schedule your free consultation today and learn how we can help put your decluttering or downsizing plan into action!