This unexpected method can help you get organized in the new year.

Organization and decluttering is not always about dealing with the stuff we already have in our house.  It’s also largely affected by what we bring into our house.  I don’t know about you, but after the influx of gifts, décor, sweet treats, events, shopping, etc that we experience during the holidays, I could use a detox!  That’s why the month of January and February are “low-buy” months for me.  I’m going to share with you my strategy for this method and why it can actually be fun!

My Strategy

Limit purchases on Amazon to only things I need right now.  So no pre-buying for things I might need for the future or things I’d like to have.  When the urge to shop happens and it’s not a necessity for this week, I just add the item to my wish list.  It still gives me the thrill of shopping, but just not actually doing it.  And for most things I may not ever buy once that initial excitement has passed. 

Remove shopping apps from the home screen of my phone.  I don’t actually delete the apps, though you totally could.  I just move them so I’m not tempted to scroll sales out of boredom.

Unsubscribe from as many marketing emails as possible, so I’m not tempted by the sales that are inevitable this time of year.  I can always resubscribe later on.  This saves so much time and I love a cleaner inbox!  Plus, for many stores, I may not ever subscribe again or it can be many months before I do. 

Absolutely no meandering through Target.  Target is a dangerous place for me, where the moment I walk through the doors I may as well hand them a few hundred dollars.  So if I REALLY need something, I can order it online or do pickup. 

What I CAN do during a “low-buy” period.

Support local restaurants.  This time of year is so tough on locally owned restaurants and I’ve already heard of many shutting their doors this year.  Since there isn’t a ton to do this time of year, going out to eat at a cozy restaurant is a great way to do something fun.  I love to try new places and also support my favorites, like Bouquet in Covington and Libby’s in Covington. 

Take time to do a project or craft I’ve been meaning to work on.  I have several puzzles I haven’t done yet and I really need to work on digitizing my photos from the 80’s/90’s.

Project Use Up: Pantry/Freezer Edition.  Basically as it sounds – instead of buying a lot of new groceries, we have fun making meals out of what we already have in the pantry and freezer.  It sometimes means we eat some weird combos (fish sticks, with french onion soup, and a side of peas), but my kids think it’s hilarious.

Peruse the local library (or library app) for a new book.  It feels like shopping!  I love to bring my kids to the library too – they think it’s fun to pick out dvd movies that they can play on an old playstation we have.  Makes me sad that they’ll never know the thrill of going to a blockbuster on a Friday night. 

Have friends over for coffee.  No one has to spend money and I find that most of my friends are free on weekend mornings.  I do sometimes pick up donuts from a local shop, but supporting local is not limited in my version of a “low-buy”. 

Decluttering my own home.  Yes, even I need to declutter.  And it feels good to edit, do some deep cleaning, and discovering long lost treasures that I forgot I had.  Recently I found a cozy blanket that I had received as a gift last winter and had put away during the warmer months.  It’s currently draped over my lap as I type and I LOVE it!

And that’s about it!  If you’ve made it to the end of this post, shoot me an email or message on socials to tell me your favorite local restaurant in Cincinnati/Northern KY.  Or even in the Owensboro area, where I visit family. 

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!