Keeping your new year’s ‘stuff removal’ resolution

Happy 2018! For many, welcoming in the new year means formulating a series of new year’s resolutions that typically focus on self-improvement and promoting greater happiness. Eating healthier foods, exercising regularly, saving for retirement or spending more quality time with family and friends are perennial favorites.

Included on some lists is the intention to become better organized, which often translates into getting rid of unwanted, useless stuff that clutters the valuable real estate within a person’s home.

According to Jen A. Miller in her article “How to make and keep a new year’s resolution,” published in The New York Times, most resolutions fail because they aren’t SMART — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. If the 2018 resolution is stuff removal, consider the following as a guideline for greater likelihood for success:

• Specific: Set clear goals.

• Measurable: Take before and after photos of your progress.

• Achievable: Start with small, manageable projects that are attainable in short periods of time. This provides greater motivation to continue.

• Relevant: Envision the benefit of removing the extraneous stuff.

• Time-bound: Pace yourself and allow enough time to complete the stuff removal goal. Set a deadline.

January is a perfect time to begin a stuff removal resolution because there are many projects that can be completed in the warmth and comfort of the home. (When the weather improves, other more ambitious goals like cleaning out the garage or attic can be added.) Start with simple tasks that can be quickly completed before attempting larger projects. Here are a few examples:

1. Drawers. Select a drawer, perhaps a dresser, desk or proverbial “junk” drawer and donate or discard the unwanted items that keep you from easily finding the important contents.

2. Kitchen pantry and spice cabinets. Throw away all expired foods, stale spices and corroded tin cans. Consolidate the contents of like, open packages to conserve space.

3. Clothes closets. Remove clothing that doesn’t fit because of weight loss or gain, is out of style or hasn’t been worn in two years. Include shoes and handbags also. Donate the wearable items to a charity, shelter or “Dress for Success”like organization that accepts executive clothing for low-income individuals to purchase for job interviews.

4. Home office. As the season for preparing to file the 2017 taxes is upon us, it could be beneficial to know which financial and investment documents to retain and discard. For guidance, visit the website of deGrouchy, Sifer and Co., a professional tax and accounting firm: dscpa.com/retention-guide. Properly shred all documents with personal identification, Social Security numbers and account information.

The next time inclement weather hits our area, your stuff removal strategy will be in place. May 2018 allow you to “treasure your relationships, not your possessions.” — Anthony J. D’Angelo.

Happy New Year!