January 1st is the time when many people decide to make changes in their lives with the hopes of improving their future. They have big ideas to reorganize their lives completely. Some write out the plans in detail. Others merely hope that good intentions will carry them through. What if there was an alternative to New Year’s resolutions – a way to improve your life without a complete overhaul? It’s easier than you think!
Don’t Start in January
January 1st can be hectic for many people, especially if they are still celebrating the Christmas season (the 12 Days of Christmas are December 25th to January 5th). During this time, children are on holiday from school, guests often come and go, and regular routines are disrupted. It’s hard to imagine how you can successfully plan to overhaul your life in such chaos.
An alternative to New Year’s resolutions is to start on a different day. After all, any day on the calendar can be the start of a new year. Or you can choose a different “New Year’s Day,” such as the Spring Equinox (March 20th), when the days in the northern hemisphere start getting longer. You could also choose a date with religious or cultural significance, such as Chinese New Year, Hobiyee, Diwali, Rosh Hashanah, or Raʼs as-Sanah. Alternatively, start on your birthday – whenever that happens, it’s the start of a new year for you.
Don’t Overhaul, Start Small
Big goals, even if they are SMART goals, can be daunting. However, almost anyone can work on something for a short period. That’s why one of my most popular blog posts about home organizing is the 15-minute-a-day decluttering solution. In fact, by using this method, you spend 7.5 hours organizing your home every month. That’s an entire workday!
Build Better Habits
Another alternative to New Year’s resolutions is adopting one better habit every week. Again, this is a small change that you can easily accomplish. For example, you want to wake up to a clean kitchen every morning. So, you decide to tidy the kitchen immediately after dinner instead of leaving a pile of dishes in the sink. It’s one easy habit to change. Once you are comfortable with your new routine, then modify another habit. By this time next year, your day-to-day life will look different from now.
Any of the above alternatives to New Year’s resolutions can offer a more practical and sustainable approach to having an organized home and improving productivity. If you’re ready to streamline your home or office, feel free to contact the Out of Chaos team. We’d love to help you reach your goals in the coming year.
