If you’re like me and you live for fresh starts, you know there’s no better time than the month of January. But if January has never been a time you look forward to, you’ll love hearing about how my mindset shifted about this month that follows the holidays. And you’ll be excited to use this slow time to catch up on these important organizing projects:

Tip 1: Put the Holidays behind you.

Let’s be real—holiday leftovers (we’re talking decorations, gifts, and even that pile of returns) lose their charm fast once January hits. So it’s time to pack up the season and make room for a fresh start.

Here’s how to tackle it:

• Schedule It: Set aside time to take down the tree, organize decorations, and put everything in its place.
• Declutter: Didn’t use those ornaments for the last few years? Let them go!
• A+ Extra Credit: Jot down notes about what worked (or didn’t) this past holiday season to make next year even smoother.

Oh, and skip the red and green totes! Go for sleek, neutral bins and label them for a polished look. Trust me, your future self will thank you when you pull them out next year.

Tip 2: Clear the Clutter

Decluttering isn’t the same as organizing—think of it as the cardio to your organizing strength training. The best part? It’s fast, easy, and insanely effective.

Here’s the trick:

• Focus on what doesn’t belong.
• Spend just 5–10 minutes at a time clearing items that need to go in the trash, donation pile, or back to their proper spots.
• Make decluttering part of your daily rhythm—think of it as building your “decluttering muscles.”

Want a head start? Join my free Clutter Busters Program (link below) where I guide you through bite-sized decluttering tasks to keep your home feeling fresh and light.

Tip 3: Organize a Space

January is the perfect time to tackle an organizing project, especially as you find space for new items. Here are some tips to guide you:

• Focus on enclosed spaces like your pantry, closet, or toy room.
• Follow my proven system to organize in a way that lasts—no more quick fixes!
• Avoid buying containers too early; first sort, declutter, and decide on placement.
• Check out my Organize Your Space course (link below) for step-by-step guidance (and bonus container recommendations!).

Tip 4: Calendar Your New Year

Don’t let school breaks, family vacations, and work commitments sneak up on you. Go into this new year with eyes wide open by getting all the important events on the calendar.

• Pull out your calendar and plot out school schedules, vacations, and key events.
• Proactively set aside time for family traditions, personal goals, and professional commitments.
• Consider the busier and slower seasons of the year to plan projects or new hobbies.
• Remember, the more you want to get done, the more organized you need to be.

Tip 5: Reframe Your View of January

January gets a bad rap, but it is actually the perfect time to set yourself up for a great new year!

• See January as the yin to December’s yang—a time for balance and renewal.
• Embrace the slower pace to rest, recalibrate, and prepare for the year ahead.
• Use this month to set goals, reset your space, and appreciate the unique opportunity to regroup.

So what?

Which of these tasks would give you the best start to a strong new year? Set a date to wrap up Christmas, do some decluttering, organize a space, calendar your year, or just shift your attitude about January. This is the time to set yourself up for an amazing year, so take advantage of the slower schedule and make this your best January yet!

And don’t forget to tune check out the Get Organized Bootcamp. We go live with this program twice a year, and the next one is coming up next week (January 6–10). You’ll learn the 3 core routines of an organized life, eliminate clutter, and feel on top of what you have to do. It’s one of the best weeks of the year!

Let’s make 2025 your most organized year yet!