Having a Post-Christmas Clear Out
Happy 2023! I hope you all had an enjoyable festive season.
It’s time to take down the garlands and pack away the Christmas tree. I find this a very reflective time of year, looking back on the year that has passed, and also looking ahead to what is in store over the coming 12 months.
Reclaiming Your Home
As I reclaim the spaces that have held festive decorations for the past few weeks, sweep away the stray pine needles, rid surfaces of accumulated dust and clear cobwebs, I also find it a good time to consider all the items that have entered our home in the past year, especially over the festive period.
In years past, a new ornament or item of kitchenware might have sparked feelings of joy and gratitude. But I find myself looking at things very differently this year.
My husband volunteering to move his office out of our box room and into the living room to make space for the nursery has put extra pressure on the space in our home. The mammoth effort we have both put in to minimising our inventory this year has radically changed our thoughts around gifting and accepting items into our lives.
Many of our friends and family were good enough to get on board with our request not to buy gifts this year, or to just buy for the children in our lives. I take this as a sure sign that others are in a similar position to us, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in their homes, and would prefer to pass on token gift exchanges.
There are some, however, who express their love through gifting. It seems to bring them joy. I reconcile this by saying that they get their enjoyment by purchasing, wrapping and presenting their gift. Once I have received it, it is up to me what I do with it.
Do I need another pair of pyjamas, a stationary set or a cute fold-away bag for life? If the answer is “no,” then it’s ok to re-gift or donate these items, so that someone else might get use from them.
And while I’m putting together a bag for the charity shop, the jars we kept for making preserves but haven’t used, the pan that has been sat at the back of the kitchen cupboard for longer than I can remember, and various other miscellaneous items can all get thrown in as well.
No longer feeling beholden to items or belongings, and no longer feeling guilt about moving on gifts that do not serve me, has been so liberating.
It is easy to see why people hoard so much stuff over the coarse of their lives. But moving forward, I choose not to hang onto things I do not need. I choose instead to live in a tidy, simple home so that I can spend my time experiencing all that life has to offer, instead of berating myself for not staying on top of the housework. I choose to instil these values in my child.
Post-Christmas Clear Out Challenge
Here’s my challenge to you. Look through the gifts you received this year. Once you’ve passed on your thanks to those who were kind enough to buy you a present, consider what value each of these items actually adds to your life. If it doesn’t fill a need, pass it on.
And while you’re at it, look at a cluttered area of your home. Pick out five more items you could donate to charity.
We all deserve to live in enjoyable, relaxing spaces. Surrounding ourselves with clutter goes against this. So take this opportunity to clear out some clutter after Christmas and start the New Year afresh with good intentions.
I’d love to hear how you get on. Add a comment with the items you’re moving on, and how you found the experience of letting these things go!
