A Good Way to Start the New Year

Purge:  To rid someone of an unwanted feeling, memory or condition, typically giving a cathartic release.  Synonym: to cleanse.

My faithful readers know what time it is.  It's purge time.  No, we're not going on a diet or drinking some detox stuff.  Not right now, anyway.

January is a time when you are feeling renewed and refreshed and energetic.  You need to jump on that feeling.  Quick.  It's the perfect time to put your house and your self in order. You will be amazed at how much lighter and more organized you will feel when you start cleaning out all of the things in your house that you really don't need.

For those of you who are new to this, we are going through our house, room by room, drawer by drawer and getting rid of every and anything we don't need.  Don't freak out, we are not doing this in one day!  The best way to purge your house is bit by bit, but following a schedule so that it doesn't go on forever.  I personally like to be done in one month.  I also find that once I start, I get even more motivated.  But it can be exhausting too, I'm not gonna lie.  Pace yourself.

You have to purge mindfully and ruthlessly.  Walk in a room with a trash bag and start with a drawer.  Ask yourself.  Do you really use this item?  Do you need it?  Is it adding value to anyone's life in your house?  No?  Get rid of it.  Holding onto things you don't need is weighing your life down.

It is a very big job to say "purge the kitchen".  It is really simple if you do it drawer by drawer, cabinet by cabinet.  That way, if you have just 5 minutes, you can do a drawer.  Simple.  Well, not the junk drawer.  That's not so simple.

Here is my list (yeah, a list!) of how I break down my purge.  Your's will be different, obviously, based on your house.

2017 Purge

There are several things you can do with the items you decide to purge.  Have a yard sale, sell things online, or ask friends if they need an item.  If you don't want to fool with any of that, take it all to Goodwill.  Better yet, have the vets pick it up at your house!  All you have to do is get it on your porch.

Rubbermaid containers and lots of organizational tools that can help your cause are on sale this month.  As you are purging, if you have a room or an area that is particularly a mess, you might want to think about it.  This room/area is probably not set up the best way possible because it is not working for you.  This is a great time to take advantage of those organizational sales!  While you are purging, you can also make a list of things that need to be fixed.  Handle broken on the drawer you are purging?  Need to get some new kitchen towels because all the ones you have look ratty?  Write it down.

I have one daughter that I love doing this with, she is a great purger.  I have another daughter and a husband who are awful to purge with.  You know the hoarders in your house.  Keep them out of this activity!!

If you are afraid someone is going to have a come apart if you get rid of something, put it in a bag and put it in the attic.  CAUTION:  do not transfer everything from the house to the attic!  Also, staple a piece of paper to the bag with a date 3 months from today on it.  In 3 months if no one has freaked out about it, send it to Goodwill.  I have never had to retrieve anything out of the attic.  Just sayin'.  And...you will have to purge your attic too at some point.  Don't let this be you:

Man, that was embarrassing to share.  My attic.  I have to keep an eye on it at all times.

There are so many ways you can make this fun.  Listen to fun music, invite a friend over to help you (they are super objective!), purge with a glass of wine, purge with a friend and wine!  I promise you, once you do one room, you will feel motivated to keep going.  (Or at least keep drinking the wine!)

You might not want to start with the hardest room in the house.  For me, the kitchen is always one of the worst (where DO all these glasses come from???).  I definitely don't start there.  I like to start with under the sink in the half bath.  There.  That was so easy.  Especially with that glass of wine.  Hey.  Don't judge me.  I'm working here.

Having your house in order makes you feel like you have your life in order.  And in a sense, you do.  Or at least, it's a start.  Ever heard of fake it til you make it?  Surround yourself with only the things you love and need in your home.  You will be surprised at how your life will follow suit.

Start your new year lighter!
~K