Tame the Holiday Chaos:Declutter and Get Organized Before the Madness Begins

Have you ever watched a Hallmark Christmas movie with impeccably decorated rooms, the perfect holiday dinner, and the family gathered around the fireplace and piano?

The snow is falling, carolers are knocking at the door. It’s a beautiful sight to behold, but it creates an unrealistic expectation of what our holidays “should” look like.

Back home, you’re faced with the real world. You’re exhausted and overwhelmed after spending far too much time shopping, cleaning, cooking, and wrapping.

Your home is a cluttered mess, and you haven’t even had time to decorate the tree, let alone the rest of the house. Your guest room hasn’t been touched in months.

Unlike the Hallmark Christmas home, yours is anything but perfect.

And that’s okay.
You still have time to prevent holiday overwhelm so you can relax and enjoy this beautiful season.

4 Simple Ways to Prevent Holiday Clutter, Chaos, and Overwhelm1.    Manage Your ExpectationsMentally prepare yourself for a busy time of year by finding positive ways to manage everything that needs to be done.Let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect. Does every present need to be perfectly wrapped, or could you use a pretty gift bag instead?Don’t sweat the small stuff. Acknowledge that you only have so much time and energy. Use it wisely, and remember, no one will notice the small imperfections.2.    Prioritize Decluttering and Organizing

Start decluttering right away to give yourself plenty of time. A well-organized space will provide peace of mind during the busy holiday season.

Select specific areas to declutter and organize.
Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to declutter your entire home. Focus on the areas that will give you the most peace of mind.Choose the areas that bother you the most or will have the biggest impact. Decluttering is a form of self-care.Typical areas to declutter before the holidays: guest room, guest closet, guest bathroom, pantry, and holiday decor.Set clear goals for each area.
Example: Guest bedroom – declutter, organize, and purchase new bed linens.
Holiday decorations – sort through unused and damaged decor, and donate to churches, charities, or shelters.Set deadlines for each area.
Example: Guest room to be completed by October 15.3.    Establish Limits

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Max Planck

Is this the year you and your family rethink gift-giving and receiving? For many, this tradition has gotten out of control, and in this economy, many may appreciate a reset.

Gift-giving reset
If you choose to give gifts, establish a limit on how much you will spend and how many presents you will give.Gift-receiving reset
Discuss alternatives to physical presents with your family and friends. Brainstorm ways to celebrate without exchanging physical gifts.

A few ideas:

Experiences you can share togetherDonations to a favorite charityServices you can help with or would like help with as a gift (e.g., decluttering, baking, babysitting, caregiving, or decorating).4.    Delegate Your To-Do List

When you start to feel overwhelmed, lighten your load by asking for help.

Develop a workable plan and to-do list for the next few months so you can have a meaningful, restful, and peaceful holiday.Assess your workload and bandwidth.
Determine which tasks can easily be delegated.Have a group of people who are willing to step in when you need them.
Examples of tasks to delegate: grocery shopping, running errands, gift dropping, or baking.If you want to reduce holiday chaos, clutter, and overwhelm, follow these four simple tips that you can implement starting today:·         Manage your expectations.·         Prioritize decluttering and organizing.·         Set limits.·         Delegate your to-do list.

Wishing you a peaceful and chaos-free holiday season!

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