By: Nory Simoneaux
In the book of getting your house market-ready to sell, decluttering is considered on of the basics—it’s a given. But sometimes seeing what needs to be decluttered (even when you aren’t moving) is quite the battle. I love helping people take that overwhelming task and break it down into more manageable parts.
I liken the New Year to a move—it’s a great time to go ahead and clean house! Every January, I take on some form of minimizing/organizing challenge, and this year I am taking you on that journey with me in my Instagram stories (@nory.and.co), using the hashtag #NorysNewYearChallenge. Follow along, join me, and make it work for you!
What is this minimalist-organizing-crazy-person-challenge stuff you ask? Traditionally a minimalist challenge is getting rid of the number of items that corresponds with the date, every day for a month. January 1st you would rid yourself of one item, on the 2nd two items and so on until on January 31st you are removing 31 items from your home. It is pretty intense, but I like to remind people that extra button in your junk drawer from a jacket you haven’t seen since 2004 counts as one thing. So rest assured, it can be anything. Organization challenges typically list a a specific area to be organized each day of the month—closets, pantry, bathroom #1, bathroom #2, etc.
For January 2019, I am creating my own challenge and combining the two ideas—as I focus on organizing each area, I’ll be removing as many items as possible, aiming for a minimalist outcome. Find my outline below! Ask questions, make suggestions (please), and follow along while I try to make some spaces in our home more useful and less cluttered. Use the hashtag #NorysNewYearChallenge as you declutter your own spaces!
1. Meal Plan for the Month – (I know this isn’t decluttering, but getting meals charted for the entire month is a great way to plan out what I need in my pantry, and set us off on a healthy start to the new year.)
2. Entryway
3. Master Bath
4. Hall Bath
5. Medicine Cabinet
6. Organize Christmas Decorations For Storage
7. Closets
8. Kid’s Closet
9. All Toys
10. Pantry
11. Kitchen Cabinets
12. Kitchen Drawers
13. Dressers
14. Master Bedroom
15. Kid’s Bedroom
16. Refrigerator/Freezer
17. Car
18. Linen Closet
19. Craft/Party Supplies
20. Filing Cabinet
21. Books
22. Phone (apps, pictures, etc)
23. Emails (unsubscribe)
24. Storage
25. Office
26. Desk
27. Family Room
28. Dining Room
29. Kid’s Art
30. Built in Shelving
31. Junk Drawers (yep, we have 2…how many do you have?)
No matter your plans for 2019 starting with a well organized and intentional space is a good place!
Nory Simoneaux is a Broker with Nest Realty Wilmington. With an eye for detail and great passion for customer service, Nory strives to handle each transaction how she would for a close friend or family member.