It’s 2020 and we’re officially embarking on a fresh and clutter-free decade. And of course, with each new year comes fresh promises, resolutions and goals to be the best version of ourselves – creating the life we’ve always envisioned and checking things off our bucket list.

In the words of Marie Kondo, ‘From the moment you start tidying, you will be compelled to reset your life’. Although we know organization and tidying doesn’t spark joy in everyone, we do think there is some connection between organization, happiness, and success, so with that in mind, here are a few tips to help you get started on that clean slate for the new year.

Start Small

Rome wasn’t built in a day, so try not to set huge expectations for yourself in the beginning. Start with a small space to begin your organizing journey – whether it’s one drawer or that small hall closet. Once that is organized, see how you feel. Are you empowered and ready to tackle something else? Or did that take longer than expected and your timeline needs revised? The best thing to start with is the area that’s bothering you the most. No matter how small, the makeover of a trouble spot might just bring enough joy to motivate you to tackle another space that needs some organizing.

What’s in a Category

It’s all about categories when it comes to organizing your clutter. Do you use it? Do you like it? Does it need to be in your home? If you are unsure, make piles of things you KNOW you are keeping, then find them a home. From there, it will make your unsure pile turn into a yes or no quickly, based on how often you use the item.

Make a Plan

Biggest rookie mistake when it comes to organizing? Buying containers before you know what you need. Don’t go overboard with the plastic bins, or new glass jars until you are 100% sure what items are really needed. Chances are, you’ll realize much of what you have is not necessary. Bonus point – you may have just saved yourself some money by NOT buying those extra containers.

Slow Down

Perhaps the most important tip of all – do not rush the process. Rushing to organize the entire house in one day will leave you feeling hopeless and possibly defeated. Live that slow life when it comes to organizing, and the decision to keep, toss, or donate.

What are some of your favorite organizing tips?