The start of a new year is a wonderful opportunity to refresh your life, clear out the clutter, and set intentions for what lies ahead. Some thoughtful January organization can transform not only your home but also your mindset, paving the way for personal growth, peace, and productivity.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 simple but impactful ways to get organized in January. These practical tips and actionable steps can help you ease into a January reset and start this year strong!
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But here’s an important note: You don’t have to do all of these January organization challenges to see a positive impact. Instead, focus on the tasks that you feel will make the biggest difference in your life right now.
Every person is unique, and what feels overwhelming to one person may be exactly what another needs to feel refreshed. By picking just a few items to work on, you can still make meaningful progress without feeling like you need to tackle everything at once.
1. Design Your Personal Operating System
Imagine running your life like a well-oiled business, with you as the CEO. Of course, life isn’t actually a business, but having an ‘operating system’ can help you get past feeling like you’ll never catch up. Kick off your organized year by setting up a system that streamlines your daily tasks and keeps your big goals in clear view.
How to Start:
- Build a Morning Routine: Begin each day with a ritual that sets a positive tone – whether it’s a quick workout, a few minutes of journaling, or savoring a mindful cup of coffee while reviewing your top three priorities.
- Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Plan brief sessions throughout your week: a Monday kick-off to outline your goals, a midweek review to adjust your course, and a Friday wrap-up to reflect on your wins and learn from any hiccups.
- Mix Digital and Physical Tools: Find the system that works for you. Use digital tools like calendar reminders or task managers (think Trello or Todoist) to keep you on track on the go, and pair them with a trusty planner or bullet journal for a tangible, creative way to capture your progress.
Why It Matters:
A well-crafted personal operating system turns daily chaos into clear, actionable steps toward your big life goals. With a solid routine and regular check-ins, every day becomes an opportunity to move closer to the intentional life you envision.
2. Gather Tax Information
January is the perfect time to tackle tax organization. By gathering your tax documents early, you’ll avoid the stress of scrambling at the last minute. This task is especially important if you’re aiming to simplify your life and reduce procrastination-related stress.
What to Do:
- Create a physical folder for tax-related paperwork and a digital folder to store tax files and forms that are delivered electronically.
- Sort through receipts, statements, and other financial records that may have piled up during the year.
- Make a simple checklist of information you’ll need for your taxes to ensure you don’t miss anything.
- Schedule a tax appointment or run a preliminary return to get an idea of your situation. This proactive step is a great way to start the year with peace of mind.
Why It Matters: Getting ahead on taxes not only reduces stress but also gives you a clear picture of your finances. This clarity can help you make better decisions about spending, saving, and investing in the coming year.
3. Winter Declutter
January is the perfect time to start a winter declutter challenge. At the beginning of the year, many of us feel overwhelmed by excess items. Decluttering your home during this quieter season can provide a sense of renewal and peace.
This doesn’t have to be overly difficult. Make a list of what to declutter and set aside time to focus on one area at a time. Keep your list simple, and start with the easiest places.
Decluttering Suggestions:
- Holiday decorations you no longer use.
- Winter clothing that doesn’t fit or hasn’t been worn in years.
- Old books, magazines, and household items cluttering your space.
For more inspiration, actionable tips, and a printable list, read this post on winter decluttering. Decluttering your home helps create a peaceful environment and sets the stage for productive habits in the months ahead.
4. Pantry Cleanout
A pantry cleanout is an impactful way to kick off your January organization efforts. Over time, our food storage areas become cluttered with expired items or things we no longer use.
How to Start:
- Check expiration dates and toss outdated products.
- Donate items you no longer eat or need if they are still within the expiration dates.
- Organize shelves for easy access to frequently used items.
Doing a pantry cleanout also makes meal planning easier and saves money on groceries. For more pantry decluttering inspiration, visit this helpful guide and my post on why keeping a large stockpile may not be helpful.
5. Do a Complete Foodstuff Inventory
Building on the pantry cleanout, take the time to do a complete inventory of all food items in your fridge, freezer, and pantry. This simple organizing list will make it easier to meal plan, avoid food waste, and stay on top of your grocery shopping.
Steps to Take:
- List everything you have, separating by category (e.g., fridge, freezer, dry goods).
- Identify what needs to be used soon.
- Plan meals around what you already have.
Personal Insight: Last year, after months of picking up bargains for the freezer along with doing regular grocery shopping, my husband and I did a full pantry inventory. Before we started the inventory, we estimated that we had enough food for about 2-3 weeks’ worth of dinners on hand. We were shocked when we started meal planning with the list of what we found and ended up eating dinners made from the freezer for over 6 weeks!
Need some help getting organized with your pantry, shopping, and meal planning? Grab my Essential Meal Planning Printables. Say goodbye to wasted food and hello to easy, stress-free meal planning!
6. Meal Plan
Once your food inventory is complete, it’s time to dive into meal planning. Having a plan for what to eat each week can reduce decision fatigue and help you take control of your schedule while reducing stress – and perhaps even help you eat more in line with your healthy living and budget goals.
How to Start:
- Use your food inventory to plan meals for the week or month.
- Find new recipes that make use of ingredients you already have.
- Create a shopping list for any additional items needed. Be careful here, as you don’t want to overspend on extra or unusual ingredients simply to use up something that you may not really want to eat anyway.
Start with a weekly menu and work your way toward monthly meal planning. This can be as detailed or flexible as you like. For planning ideas, check out these helpful resources: Plan a Monthly Menu and How a Meal Plan Changed My Life.
Meal planning has been a lifesaver for my busy schedule. I used to dread the question, ‘What’s for dinner?’ Now, I have a plan, and it’s eliminated so much stress. Plus, it’s helped me stick to my budget and avoid takeout.
7. Plan a Home Maintenance Schedule
Planning a home maintenance schedule for the year is essential for a well-organized year. It helps prevent small issues from turning into major headaches while keeping your home in excellent condition.
What to Include:
- Seasonal tasks like gutter cleaning, HVAC maintenance, and garden prep.
- Monthly maintenance items like checking smoke detectors and cleaning filters.
- Larger projects to schedule well in advance, such as roof inspections or renovations.
Use a planner, digital calendar, or a dedicated home management tool to schedule these tasks. Breaking them into monthly or seasonal segments will make them less overwhelming and easier to manage.
I recommend adding reminders to your calendar or setting up alerts so nothing gets missed. Knowing you’ll be reminded when tasks need to be done helps eliminate the mental load of trying to remember everything.
How It Helps: A well-maintained home not only looks better but also functions more efficiently. Staying on top of maintenance can save you money in the long run by preventing costly repairs.
8. Review and Organize Subscriptions
Do you know how many subscriptions you’re paying for? January is a great time to review and organize them. Decluttering your expenses can help you stick to a budget and simplify your finances.
Steps to Take:
- List all your current subscriptions (streaming services, apps, memberships, etc.). Check your credit and debit card statements, payment apps, etc. – even those .99 and $2.99/mo small charges can really add up!
- Cancel any you no longer use or need.
- Set reminders for renewal dates to avoid unexpected charges.
Why It Matters: Trimming down your subscriptions frees up money for more meaningful investments and aligns with your personal growth goals.
A few months ago my son discovered he was paying twice for the same streaming service… and had been for years. At some point, he had accidentally set up two different subsciptions without realizing it. He didn’t notice because he was being charged in two different ways with different payment sources. Figuring out how to cancel one of the subscriptions saved him about $150 a year! Taking the time to review your subscriptions is well worth it.
9. Try a Cleaning Schedule
I’ve found a simple cleaning schedule is a game-changer for maintaining a clutter-free and organized home. A regular cleaning routine keeps your home fresh and aligns with the January declutter challenge.
How to Create a Schedule:
- Assign specific tasks to certain days (e.g., vacuuming on Mondays, bathrooms on Wednesdays).
- Incorporate seasonal deep-cleaning projects.
- Adjust the schedule to fit your lifestyle and energy levels.
Start with a weekly or monthly routine that fits your lifestyle – even small, regular cleaning habits can have a big impact. For inspiration, download the Home Cleaning Schedule Printable.
10. Establish a Weekly Reset Routine
A weekly reset routine is a powerful way to prepare for the week ahead. Use Sundays or another quiet day to recharge, declutter, review your schedule, and plan.
What to Include in Your Routine:
- Review your schedule and update your planner.
- Declutter your workspace or living area.
- Plan meals, outfits, and other essentials for the week ahead.
- Recharge your mind and body.
For a detailed guide, check out Why You Need a Sunday Recharge Every Week. A weekly reset routine fosters a sense of control and helps you stay focused on your personal growth motivation and new year goals.
My Sunday reset routine is my favorite part of the week. When I skip it, I feel scattered and stressed. When I stick to it, I feel calmer and more prepared.
Concluding Thoughts…
Starting the year with these January organization challenges can help you develop the motivation transform your life. These 10 tasks are designed to help you achieve a peaceful home, build personal motivation, and Build Your Best Life.
From tackling a winter declutter to planning your meals and home maintenance, each step builds on the last to create a clutter-free, intentional lifestyle.
Let’s celebrate January by making it the start of a more organized and successful year. You’ve got this!
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