You are probably  all aware by now how much I love this first month of the months. But whether you love or loathe it, most of us could probably do with a bit of organising to make sure the year ahead feels as smooth as it can.  Despite not being in formal education for nearly 2 decades, there is something of the back to school fever that grips me in January, similarly in September. After a busy Christmas where all the usual routines fly out of the window, and bedtimes slip and nobody knows what day it is, January is a great time to take a breath and get things organised. 

January is a quiet contemplative month right in the middle of winter. It’s a cozy and indoorsy both literally and figuratively. So all of these ideas fit very well with the concept of a 'slippers-and-cups-of-tea January.  These activities also work if you happened to have busted your ankle, like I did this week. Hmph. 

Even if you aren't experiencing back to school fever, the quiet of winter and the start of a new year is a good time to get back on track with the things you want to be doing. Here are some of the satisfying things I’ve been quietly busying myself with.

11 ways to embrace the new year energy of January in your home, work and personal life. 

Declutter your phone

Delete unused apps and organise the remaining apps into folders. Use the ‘groups’ app to delete multiple contacts at once (very satisfying!) Organise photos and delete duplicates. 

Tidy your bedside table

If like me your bedside table is a bit dusty, and has amassed things like books you’ve finished or dishes or creams you no longer use- take 5 minutes to clear it all off/out. Organise it (re-home, donate or discard anything you no longer need) then put it back neatly. Add a candle or a small bottle of flowers for a bit of added joy. Bonus: you can almost do this from your bed!

Declutter one drawer at a time 

I know I bang on about it but decluttering really can make the most astonishing difference to how our homes (and consequently how we) feel. I believe decluttering and simple living is a way of living rather than a set of actions, so am always looking for ways to reduce and simplify. But i’m not talking about a Kon Marie style mega declutter here (although go for it if you’re in the mood!) As you are pottering around your home over the next few weeks take an extra 10 minutes to sort through and organise drawers and cupboards as you open them. Re-home, donate or discard anything you no longer love or no longer serves a purpose. I always suggest starting with one drawer. (Do we really need that many towels?! Do all those knickers even fit me any more? How long has that lego been in the cutlery drawer?!  These are all questions I have asked myself this week!)

Sort storage

Once you have decluttered, sort out storage (and it’s important to do it in that order to avoid unnecessary spend on storage) I like using old Tupperware and recycled square or rectangular boxes to organise things in the drawers.  if you don’t know where to start, think about where clutter gathers most. Is there enough space? Are things easily accessible and pleasing to the eye? Could you reduce your possessions in these areas or maybe swap storage around to make it feel better for you? I have been slowly working through the drawers and cupboards in my home, tidying, decluttering and organising.  (Next up on my list is the spice cupboard! It’s hard to access, is full of stuff we don’t use and is probably mainly out of date) 

Start a Journal, aka free therapy

Start a new journaling practice. Its such a revealing and interesting practice, and it’s totally freeeee! Treat yourself to a beautiful new notebook (ok so not totally free, but still). Cozy up in bed or on the sofa and follow my tips here.

Deal with the paperwork pile

1) Switch to online billing for everything.  2) Go through the paperwork and shred or burn anything you don’t need. Advice here on what you need to keep . It’s surprising how little you actually need.  3) Organise what’s left into a manageable folder or drawer.  I now have a small accordion file with important documents and some bills, and the rest is discarded. 

Clear out your purse

Or wallet or handbag. Empty them out completely, throw any rubbish and old receipts away and any cards you’re not using (loyalty card for Cafe Nero from 3 years ago anyone?) . If you find that things get messy in your bag quickly, try using some cotton pouches to keep things organised (eg one for cables and tech stuff, one for toiletries and sundries). Call me woo, but there is also something promising about clearing the messy energy of my purse; it’s like a statement to myself that i’m ready to make money. Make sense?!

Check or make your budget

It’s probably time to start one if you don’t have one. Sit down with a cuppa and log in to all your accounts and check all your bills, standing orders and direct debits (I bet there are some in there that you won’t need, didn’t know you had, or some that are more than you thought.) Set or review savings targets, note when you need to switch credit card providers etc. I use a shared Google Sheets spreadsheet with Dave and it works well, but there are now some apps that help. Money Dashboard, YNAB etc. 

Put dates in your calendar.

Putting 2020 dates in my online or paper calendar is something I probably get way too much joy from. Anyway- put the dates you know into the calendar and take a moment to consider how your general planning system is working for you. recommend a process that encompasses both appointments and wider year/ life goals. There are lots of apps and systems around to make this easier for you (Slack, Trello etc). I use a combination of paper and online calendar planning. (read more about my planning system for non-perfect people here)

Declutter your laptop

Use the ‘Cleanmymac’ app to delete any old unused items (my fave mac app). Clear your desktop. Organise photos, delete any old documents, files or photos. Then clear your trash. So much spaaaaaace!

Sort through your make up bag and toiletries

I have very little makeup and toiletries but still found some stuff last week I hadn’t touched in years. I donate any good stuff to Beauty Bank and chuck anything that’s past it’s best. (I am very careful about what I buy now to prevent that chucking away)

So, if you need me in January, you know where to find me. I’ll be wrapped in a blanket at my desk planning and organising or shuffling around my home in my slippers. January, I like you. 

Have I missed anything on this list?