As we head into the holiday season, taking the time to declutter and organize your home can do more for your mental health and stress levels than you may realize. It can also be a huge boost to your local nonprofits.
But finding the time and willpower to clean out parts of your home isn’t always easy, and deciding what stays and what goes can be even harder. That’s where advice and support from Valerie Ruha, owner of Very Organized by Valerie, comes in handy.
Valerie founded Very Organized nearly three years ago with the goal of helping people simplify and organize their spaces. She specializes in residential organizing, life transitions, cognitive and neurodivergent support, home libraries and collections, and project management.
“I just love helping people get organized, declutter, and find some peace in their homes that they might not otherwise be able to do themselves,” she says.
According to Valerie, November is a great time of year to take a breather from the busy summer to declutter or offload some items before the holidays fully set in. Decluttering now allows you to get rid of seasonal decor or other items you always thought you would use but never did, and prepare for the holidays by creating defined spaces for guests who may be coming to visit.
It’s important to start soon because once you begin putting up holiday decorations, stockpiling presents, and hosting family gatherings, decluttering and organizing your space becomes increasingly difficult. So where should you begin?
Starting small is key. Decide first which rooms need organizing and then the order in which to tackle them. Sometimes, starting with a drawer or small closet before moving on to an entire room can ensure you don’t get overwhelmed with the task.
The next step is to begin deciding what stays and what goes, an action coined “editing” by Valerie. Asking how meaningful each item is and how it does or doesn’t support your daily life can be helpful in determining what to keep and what to donate.
A perk of working with Valerie is her commitment to donating items to local organizations that are meaningful to you and make a difference in the community. If something once held meaning to you, it can still hold meaning for someone else.
Your old blankets and towels can be used to keep animals warm at the Humane Society or local animal shelter, and your used books can be donated to the local library or organizations like Story Orchard.
Household items and gently-used furniture can help furnish homes through organizations like Bridging MN, and any clothes you donate can help families through Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners, among others.
“It really makes it easier for people to let go of things if they know they’re going to a nice place or a place that will enjoy them,” Valerie says.
Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to organize what is left. Before you begin putting items away, it’s important to consider your goal for the space. For example, you may want bins or labels to make kitchen prep easier or color-coded hangers for seasonal clothing choices.
Creating a system that works for you and designating a “home” for everything makes sure things go back where they belong in the future.
It’s also important to recognize that decluttering and organizing your spaces is an ongoing effort. “It’s never a one-and-done thing. We need to maintain all the time and have a reset, whether it’s once a week or once a month, just to get us back on track so things don’t become overwhelming,” Valerie says.
Some ideas for maintaining your organization include adding a donation bin in your closet or elsewhere. This can help you more easily donate items you no longer find value in.
According to Valerie, “another good rule to follow is one in, one out. Having the balance of not bringing in more than what we’re letting go of can really help.”
If you’ve suddenly found yourself hosting a family gathering or want to make an impact at your local nonprofit before the holidays, try these steps. Decluttering and organizing your space can relieve stress and bring new meaning to your old things.
Ready to get organized? Connect with Valerie at veryorganizedbyvalerie.com
It’s also important to recognize that decluttering and organizing your spaces is an ongoing effort. It’s never a one-and-done thing. We need to maintain all the time and have a reset, whether it’s once a week or once a month, just to get us back on track so things don’t become overwhelming.
It really makes it easier for people to let go of things if they know they’re going to a nice place or a place that will enjoy them.