Feeling like you’re in a slump? Weeks of planning, shopping, and connecting with friends and family, followed by a week of eating leftovers, chocolate and cheese can do that to a person! As lovely as the holiday season should be, it often ends up being really stressful, and uses up a lot of your resources (time, energy and money).
January is a time for a fresh start. Don’t feel like you need to make any lofty resolutions for 2025 – I think at this point just surviving and being a good person is incredible.
Looking for some ways to get back on track and organized after the holidays? Read on.
1. Declutter any unwanted gifts.
We’ve all gotten things that weren’t the right fit for what we need or want. Just because someone gave it to you, doesn’t mean you have to keep it. Once the item was given to you, the gift giver relinquished any rights to that item, and you can do whatever you want with it! Any unopened skincare products can be brought to your nearby personal care bank, clothing and household items can be donated to your local thrift store, and food items can be taken to the food bank. You can also try posting items for free online, and doing porch pickup, for even less work on your end!
Also, recycle your Christmas cards! You don’t need to keep every card that someone has given you.
2. Make room for new items, and do the “1 in 1 out” rule to ensure you have the space.
For those items you received that you do love, make sure to make room for them so that they actually get used. Don’t let them stay in the gift bags for months and months, until you forget that they exist!
Put those clothes away and if your closet is full, take some items out that you don’t wear. Books on the bookshelf, kitchen gadgets in the drawer, towels and linens in the closet or cupboard… You get the point. Find a spot for your new items, so that you will use them!
3. While it’s fresh in your mind, assess what you spend on the holidays this year.
This may be a daunting thing to do, but it’s good to know where you landed this year. Often people will purchase things spontaneously during the holidays because they feel they need to, but it’s good to know what was a good purchase/investment vs what didn’t really work out.
This could be for food if you were hosting a gathering – how many leftovers were there? What food didn’t get opened/used at all? What recipe wasn’t a hit? Are there ways you could have spend less?
For gifts – what did you get for people (maybe make a list, so you don’t get the same things next year)? Did you need to give to everyone on your list? Next year could you do more consumable gifts (eg. baking) to save you money? Could you do a “Secret Santa”-type gift exchange next year so that you don’t have to buy so many gifts? Bringing it up to family now may be a good idea, so it’s not last minute.
4. Go through fridge and make an inventory of leftovers (and compost things that have spoiled!).
Definitely get a handle on your fridge so you know what you have to use up before it goes bad. Freeze items (and label) to prolong their use. Repurpose items into something new to use it up. See if anyone in your circle could use some food!
5. Set aside a day to do a reset on your chores (laundry, dishes, vacuuming etc.).
If you really need to reset, put a day aside to do so! Put those gifts away, clean and organize your fridge, tackle that mountain of laundry, vacuum and dust after having company over. Get everyone in your household involved to make it more efficient!
6. Organize your holiday décor so that it’s easier to deal with next year.
If you find things that you want to declutter, put them all in a box and label it “xmas donations”, and take them next fall to your local donation centre. Unfortunately this time of year is harder for items to be sold, so it’s better to donate in the fall. Check with your local donation centre if you’re unsure! Some have the room to store these items in the off-season.
7. Try a “no spend” January.
Trying to not spend money on anything that isn’t necessarily is a good way to reset after the holidays. Read more about that in my blog here.
8. Make some goals for the new year that are realistic and good for your mental well-being.
If you do decide to make a new year’s resolution, do one that is beneficial for your mental health. Don’t try to lose weight because society thinks you need to. Don’t try to put pressure on yourself to volunteer or learn a new language, when you have enough stress going on in your life.
Maybe instead make a resolution to try new things when the opportunity arises, or send regular letters in the mail to friends, or go thrifting instead of buying things new. What can you achieve that will be good for your wallet and mental health?
9. Take some time to decompress and relax if possible.
Go for a massage, get your nails or hair done, set some time aside to read, craft or go for a long walk in the woods. This will help your brain relax and recharge after a hectic time.
Here’s to 2025! What will you be doing this year to bring you joy?
