Minimalism & the Holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, friends! I hope the holidays have been merry and bright for you. As much as I love this season, I’ll be the first to admit that it can be extra challenging to keep up my minimalist habits.

Christmas, especially, has a way of convincing us that more is necessary; more gifts, more decorations, more everything. I love Christmas! And when I say I love Christmas, let me be very clear: I LOVE Christmas. I count down the days. I listen to Christmas music all year long. We put our tree up early in November and happily enjoy it for two full months. That’s how much I love it.

But this year has felt a little different.

As I sit with my morning coffee, soaking in the glow of the Christmas tree lights, I look around the house and feel a twinge of guilt. The extra decorations. The seasonal stuff scattered throughout the rooms. Suddenly, it all feels very… not minimalist. And if I’m being completely honest, I start to feel like a fraud. How can I talk about living with less when my house is bursting at the seams with holiday cheer?

But truthfully, even though I love Christmas, I’m kind of excited about packing it all up and sending it back to the attic, along with reclaiming some much-needed empty space. That’s a brand-new feeling for me. In years past, I’ve always dreaded putting Christmas away for another eleven months. This year, though, feels different.

After embarking on my minimalism journey, all of the extra that comes with Christmas has started to make me feel a little anxious and closed in. The decorations I once adored now feel heavier...not because they aren’t beautiful, but because they fill every corner and leave very little room to breathe.

But every day is a new beginning, and here we are, standing at the edge of a brand-new year! With a fresh start ahead, I’m ready to jump back on the minimalism train and really begin decluttering my home with intention.

Who’s with me?!

Let's start with one surface or shelf. Completely empty it of clutter and enjoy having a clean space. Then move on to another.

Here are a few tips when beginning your New Year's cleaning:

1. Start small

2. Sort EVERYTHING in the room into one of these four categories (NO maybe):

   1. Keep

   2. Donate

   3. Trash

   4. Relocate

3. Only buy storage bins/baskets after decluttering

4. Have an immediate solution for mail. Sort into three files: Action, To File, To Shred

5. Complete a daily reset (5-10 minutes of putting things back in their place)

I hope you’re able to end 2025 and begin 2026 feeling a little more in control of the clutter around you. Remember, strive for progress over perfection. We live in our homes, and they’re meant to be lived in. No one expects them to look like a museum.

Be kind to yourself, enjoy the process, and take it one step at a time.

Happy decluttering!