Why Even a Professional Organizer is Craving Simplicity This New Year:
Tips to Simplify Your Life in the New Year
The start of a new year always feels like a chance to hit the reset button. It’s an opportunity to reimagine routines, reprioritize what matters most, and simplify the things that weigh us down. But here’s the truth: even as a professional organizer, I’ve been craving simplicity more than ever lately. If you feel overwhelmed, like there’s too much to juggle and never enough time to enjoy what really makes you happy, you’re not alone. I’m right there with you.
Simplify Your Life: Finding Fulfillment Amid Busy Days
Like so many of you, my life is busy. Between work, family, and the endless responsibilities that come with maintaining a home, I rarely feel truly rested. Most days, I’m ticking boxes off a to-do list but finding little time for the things I enjoy, and then reflecting back at the end of each day asking "where did the day go?". I want to do more than just keep up—I want to carve out space for creativity, freedom, and joy. I want to wake up excited about how I’m spending my time, not just getting through the day.
This realization has been a reminder: no matter how skilled you are at organizing, life can feel overwhelming if you’re trying to do too much. And often, what we really need isn’t to do more—it’s to do less, but better. Research backs this up— an article in the Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Minimalism and personal well-being: a study of current trends in China’, found that simplifying your environment can reduce anxiety and increase focus, making it easier to prioritize what truly matters.
Simplifying the Repetitive and the Excess
One thing I’ve noticed is how much of my day is consumed by repetitive tasks—things that need to be done daily or weekly just to keep life moving forward. While these tasks are necessary, I’ve realized they don’t need to be as complicated as I sometimes make them. My focus this year is on finding ways to simplify and even automate wherever I can. Tools like Any.do or Notion are great for streamlining household management tasks and creating systems that work for your lifestyle.
Another key to simplifying is cutting out the excess. I’ve learned that the more I bring into my home, the more I have to manage. Packages (which often lead to returns), cups (I don't know about you, but all of those cups sitting around my house drive me bananas!), and those “just one more quick trip to the store” moments all add up. So much of it is unnecessary and only creates more work. By saying no to these extras, I’m creating space for what truly matters and giving myself one less thing to stress about. This aligns with the findings of professional declutterer Margareta Magnusson, whose book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning emphasizes reducing possessions as a way to lighten your mental load.
Staying Grounded in What Matters
Keeping up with my home is essential to my well-being. It’s not just about having a clean space; it’s about creating a haven where I can recharge. To stay on top of it all, I’ve learned to ask for help. My family pitches in because this isn’t a one-person job. I’ve also become more intentional about saying no to extra activities that drain my energy or make it harder to maintain our home.
A tidy, cozy space inspires me. Every time I walk into a clean bedroom at the end of the day, I feel an instant sense of calm. I'm proud of myself for making the bed and picking up my clothes even when I don't feel like it. It's those little things that reward me at the end of a long day. It’s a reminder that simplicity isn’t just about organization; it’s about creating moments of peace in the everyday. And science agrees—a Princeton University study found that physical clutter competes for your attention, increasing stress and making it harder to relax.
Finding Joy in Simplicity
Simplifying doesn’t mean letting go of your responsibilities or striving for perfection. It means focusing on what truly brings you joy and clearing the clutter—physical, mental, and emotional—that gets in the way. As we step into the new year, I’m encouraging myself (and you!) to make small, meaningful changes. They don’t need to be dramatic to make an impact. Sometimes, it’s as simple as cutting back on what you bring into your home or saying no to one more commitment.
If you’re looking for ways to start simplifying your life, I invite you to join my January Jumpstart challenge. Together, we’ll tackle manageable 15-minute tasks each day that will help you create a more organized and intentional home. Let’s make 2025 the year we simplify and find joy in the details of everyday life.
You don’t have to do it perfectly—you just have to start.
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