Some ideas to help you push through:

1. Expose yourself: Explain to people that you are working hard to make your home one of replenishment and relaxation and that you do not want to bring more things into it. Ask for experiences + time together.
2. Time IS on your side: Between Black Friday and New Year’s Day, look at my donation page and choose at least one place to donate to.
3. Ease Another Person’s Burden: Do you know someone else struggling with clutter? Offer a gift swap of decluttering time.
4. Say No (and if you can’t, say No,Thank You) You don’t have to take all the freebies that might come your way in this season.
5. Be Good to Yourself: Take a few minutes each day to ground yourself and envision the home you are working toward.

You know what’s going to happen!?! The holidays arrive and you will be surrounded by good cheer, family and friends and the onslaught of things.

Then, just as January follows December, you will be inundated with articles, books, advertisements, tips and memes about storage for all of it. It occurred to me that all the storage supplies we are seduced into bringing into our homes is simply more STUFF! When I make house calls I encounter TONS of attempts at storage. It lives side-by-side all the things we have except it starts out aspirational and inspirational and then makes people feel worse as they struggle with personal storage fail.

Here’s a crazy thought from the twitterverse: What future garbage do you want for Christmas this year? HA!!

Here is the list again with added details:

Expose yourself: Explain to people that you are working hard to make your home one of replenishment and relaxation and that you do not want to bring more things into it. Ask for experiences or gifts of time from family and friends.

Time IS on Your Side: Between Black Friday and New Year’s Day, look at my donation page and choose at least one place that will put your things to good use. Clothes to the Career Wardrobe? Books to Mighty Writers?

Ease Another Person’s Burden: Do you know someone else struggling with clutter? Be honest with them and offer a gift swap of decluttering time.

Say No (and if you can’t, say No, Thank You) You don’t have to take all the freebies that might come your way in this season. This tchachke here and that cool thing there add up. Believe me. And don’t think you are going to give it to your neighbor’s sweet kid. Unless you have a gift area set up or a goody bag ready and waiting, you aren’t. It’s gonna grow legs and become part of the noise you encounter every day.

Be Good to Yourself: Try and remember the fun you can have during this time. Take a few minutes each day to ground yourself and envision the home you are working toward. I’m right by your side and I can see it too!

Happy Holidaze! Enjoy it all!