It seems like only yesterday that we were all celebrating the New Year. But actually, it was exactly two weeks ago. Whether you’re still hanging onto the Christmas feeling, struggling to get back to a normal work routine, or trying to locate your waist after weeks of unhealthy eating, January is the perfect time to start thinking about fresh starts. And it’s not just personal changes we are referring to; the first month of the year is a great time to declutter your home. Whether you’re reclaiming your wardrobe, tackling the attic, or resetting your kitchen cabinets, here’s what you need to let go of in 2026!
Tackle Guilt Clutter
Guilt clutter refers to the items you have been gifted or inherited that you never really liked and didn’t choose. The overwhelming guilt you feel about keeping them will have you holding onto them for years, even if you don’t like them or will never use them. Inherited homeware like ornaments, side tables, or crockery takes up a considerable amount of space, and now’s the time to sort through it. You might also find that you have accumulated a lot of guilt clutter over the holiday season. Secret Santa is an enjoyable activity, whether played at home with family or in work with colleagues, but most of the time, you’ll end up getting something you didn’t expect (and not in a good way). Instead of hanging onto these, find a new home for them by donating them to a local charity or gifting them to a family member or friend you know will use them.
Get Rid Of Duplicate Gifts
You likely have a few duplicate gifts lying around, especially after the Christmas season. Whether you were unknowingly gifted another candle holder that you already had or somehow ended up with 5 of the same vases, it’s time to get rid of any extras you don’t really need. Why not donate some or gift some? It’s unlikely you’ll ever need more than one of most things, and by ridding yourself of any extras you don’t need, you’ll find yourself with a lot more available space throughout your home!
Wardrobe Refresh
Winter wardrobes are filled with thick clothing, which unsurprisingly takes up a lot of space. It’s time to pull everything out and have a thorough sort through. That knitwear that’s seen better days? Donate it. Those woolly coats that still have some life in them but now seem uninteresting to wear, why not sell them on a second-hand clothing app? There are many options for those who are willing to rid themselves of unnecessary clutter. Going forward, prioritise individual pieces of good quality; not only is it better for the environment, but it also means that you end up with less excess. Buying cheaply can seem great at first, but it does usually mean that you end up with excess clothing and clothing that doesn’t last past one wash in the washing machine.
Clear Out Expired Goods
It’s the perfect time to sort through your fridge and freezer, especially because you probably won’t have had time to fully restock them since before Christmas. This task can, of course, take some time, particularly when it comes to defrosting your freezer, but storing any frozen food in freezer bags while you clean it should keep your food bits from defrosting while you wait for the ice to thaw. Once thawed, wipe out all drawers and seals, making sure everything is good and dry before finishing. The fridge is much easier to clean. Remove any expired foods and start by wiping shelves with antibacterial spray. Finally, take out any drawers and wash them in warm, soapy water. Once dried, you can return all shelves and drawers to where they were and begin to place all your fridge food back inside. Undertaking this small task will mean you start your year off right...and with foods that are actually in date.
Digital Declutter
We all have those drawers that are filled to the brim with random charging cables, most of which we wouldn’t even know what they’re for. Now’s the time to sort through these and bin any that you know are for old appliances and won’t ever be used again. Let 2026 be the year of a clutter-free tech drawer. While you’re at it, you should also take a look at some of those old appliances and trade them in for some much-needed extra cash at this time of the year.
Now that you’ve tackled some of those occasional jobs that you’d normally never get a chance to do, it’s time to get back to writing out your New Year’s resolutions......or not!
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