Creating an Action Plan for Your New Year Home Organizing
Now that you've completed your yearly home review and highlighted your notes into those four key categories (Keep & Love, Fix or Upgrade, Let Go, and Problem-Solve), it's time to make a plan. I don’t want you to burn yourself out by trying to do everything at once; instead, create a realistic, prioritized plan that fits into your life.
Start by re-writing (or typing) your notes so that each category has its own list. For example:
Keep & Love: The wooden coat hangers that kept coats off the floor; the larger kitchen trash can.
Fix or Upgrade: The junk drawer that overflows weekly; the entryway system that partially worked but needs tweaking.
Let Go: Unused bread maker; excess reusable grocery bags; decorative pillows that end up on the floor.
Problem-Solve: Kitchen counter as a permanent mail drop; kids' art supplies scattered everywhere.
Next, for everything except the “Keep & Love” category, prioritize within the category. Ask yourself:
Which issues cause the most daily frustration? (You can rate them on a 1-5 scale.)
How much time do you think each item will take to tackle?
Will fixing this issue cost money, and if so, how much? How long will it take to save the money?
Now, set realistic timelines. Look at your paper, wall, or digital calendar. (I love these big wall calendars!) Assign one or two projects per week or month, depending on your schedule and time estimates. Block time on your calendar and make sure to leave buffers to allow flexibility in case things go off the rails. Don’t try to pack it all into January; work to spread things out over at least 6 months, especially if you have a lot to do.
Finally, create a plan for tracking your progress. Check off completed items on the calendar, make a chart and give yourself stickers for accomplishments, or make a simple graph to chart your progress.
In our next blog, we'll dive into practical strategies for tackling these plans, from decluttering sessions to setting up sustainable systems that hold up in real life. If you missed the first BLOG of this series, read it here: A Yearly Home Organizing Review — Fontaine Organizing
