It's almost Christmas time and I am truly elated.

I love this season so incredibly much. There is a re-awakening during this season where people are (mostly) kind and we partake in the joy of giving gifts and giving our time to those we love.

Christmas isn't all about gifts, but it's definitely a major part of it. In preparation this year, although I don't have much to do since I just did this when we moved, I am purging.

I think one of the hard things about the holidays is that we tend to go overboard and then we have so many things, old and new, we don't know what to do with ourselves. We allow the clutter to build up, our new things go unused because we're overwhelmed and the old things continue to collect dust. That is until it's spring cleaning season and then we get rid of a lot of the things we just got a few months earlier and call it a year.

I wouldn't call myself a minimalist by any means, but I do have an appreciation for the time and money that the people in my life put into buying gifts. It's such a beautiful love language and I not only love buying gifts but I love receiving them as well, it's one of my top personal love languages. That being said, the older I get the more particular I find myself about the things that I hold onto.

If I'm welcoming a new item into my space I want it to have a place, a purpose and I want whatever it is replacing to be gone. Whether that is via selling it or donating, I want everything that I put back into the world to be with purpose.

Thus, the purge.

In order to welcome new things in this season, I want to make sure that I get rid of anything I don't truly need.

It is a goal of mine this year to do this once every few months and right before Christmas is a perfect time.

My criteria:

It brings me joy.

It serves a regular purpose.

If there are multiple it's the prettiest and in the best shape version.

It is something I would be genuinely sad to lose or to have break.

I'll be going through clothing, kitchen items, decor and self care items. This will cover my bases for anything I'd receive during the holidays!

What happens to all of the clutter?

During any other time of the year I'd most likely see what I could get for valuable things in good condition on marketplace, but honestly I'm exhausted with a new baby and it's not worth trying to coordinate sales.

Instead I'd rather donate to local thrift stores who support great causes (ahem, not Goodwill) and allow some of the things that I don't necessarily need anymore to go to great homes!

One of my favorite ways to shop for gifts is at second hand stores to cut down on waste and to find unique things that my friends and family would genuinely love. Some of my favorite gifts I've given and have received have been from thrift stores. Plus, these places often give back to the local community and support those who are genuinely in need. It's a win-win!

Giving is a part of this season and although this may not be a glaringly obvious way of “giving”, it is a great way to clean out your house, give back to your community and give you back your space and a sense of freedom. Honestly, even if you don't do gifts around this time of year, it's still a great way to give back and clear your energy.

In preparation for the new year, even though we're not starting “over”, it's important that you let go of weight that you don't want to carry in 2021. Sometimes we need an actual mental reset and for some humans a new calendar year is an easy way to leap into that. Leave behind your clutter and all of the things you don't truly need and clear your space to make room for the people and the concepts that truly matter.

Happy decluttering!

xoxo – Ry