While the holidays are supposed to be a time of gratitude, giving, and joy, 38% of people find that their stress levels increase during this time of year. And while getting gifts is great, there's also the added stress of more stuff being brought into the household.
If you're already struggling with the clutter you have, new stuff just makes it feel that much more overwhelming. And that can heighten your anxiety and depression levels since there's a direct correlation between clutter, anxiety, and depression.
Finding new tools to help you survive both the emotions of the holidays and the impact of more stuff into your life can help. And you can actually use the same tools to deal with emotional clutter as you can physical clutter.
If you're looking to reclaim your power this holiday season, keep reading. We're sharing with you our favorite 5 tips on how to get and stay organized and happy during the holidays.
1. Identify and Set Goals to Get and Stay Organized
Take some time to figure out what you want/need to accomplish this holiday season. Planning ahead helps you avoid potential problems and stresses in the future. Here are a few ways to plan ahead:
Write out shopping lists to cut down on trips to the stores
Plan out when each task needs to be done and mark it on a calendar
It's also important to realize there's a difference between wants and needs. If you have extra time and money, you can fulfill a want but otherwise, just accomplish what you need to and let the rest go.
2. Set Boundaries
During the holiday season setting boundaries is a must. It will help you reduce and eliminate both physical and emotional clutter. Here are a few ways to set boundaries:
Shop online if you hate crowds
Set a rule that no politics, religion or other triggering topics are off-limit during gatherings
Stop buying gifts for people if you can't afford it or they don't acknowledge you for it
Aim to eat 80% healthy foods so you can enjoy treats without feeling guilty
Do not allow guilt, fear or shame to make your decisions for you
Boundaries are often hard to set, especially with family members and friends. However, if you find yourself the target of a toxic persons negativity, you have every right to remove yourself (or them) from the situation immediately.
3. Clean as You Go
Make life easy on yourself by cleaning as you go. It's harder both mentally and physically to attack a larger cleaning job than it is smaller projects.
You don't have to do everything at once. And you certainly don't have to have a perfect-looking home. Instead, try cleaning what you can as you go along.
Some ideas on how to do that are:
Wipe down counters while food is in the oven or on the stove
Vacuum while doing laundry
Ask others to help with the cleaning
Allot one room where things get a little messy while you keep the rest of your home clean.
Get plenty of sleep so that you have the energy to get everything done.
4. Trust Your Gut
Learning to trust your instincts takes some practice, but it's the best tool you have if you want to get and stay organized. If something feels wrong, it usually is and if you get yourself into that situation, walk away.
If planning a dinner for 30 people feels too overwhelming without help, trust your gut rather than putting your mental and physical health at risk. If you feel a family member will be too toxic to include, do yourself and everyone else a favor and don't invite them.
5. Ask for Help
You are not a machine. The easiest way to get and stay organized is by asking for help.
Here are a few ways to get the help you need and deserve:
If you live with others (including kids) ask them to help decorate, clean, and cook
If you have extra funds, hire someone to help you with the cooking and cleaning
Even Santa has elves and reindeer to help him make and deliver gifts. If he's magical, why would you think you could do better as a mere mortal?
Learn Organizational Tools and Strategies
It's harder to get and stay organized during the holidays when you haven't learned the proper tools and strategies
We can help. Contact us today to schedule a session.