Tips for Starting Off the New Year Right

Here we are at the beginning of another New Year…2019. I’m not sure if you were ready for it or not, but I felt like 2018 just kind of rushed its way through. It just seemed like it was over before it really had a chance to get started. However, that’s probably just because I’m a mom. It seems like every year goes by a little quicker than the last now that I have kids. (If you’re a mom, then I’m sure you agree!)

Since we are at the beginning of another New Year, I thought this was an appropriate time to give a few tips for how you can get the year started off right (for you and your family).

• Organize holiday decorations as you put them away. If you haven’t packed up all of your holiday decorations yet, then take the time to organize them while you pack them away in the attic for next year. Spend a little money on a few nice totes to store various holiday décor in. Don’t forget to label everything! You’ll be amazed how much better you will feel once you’ve got your holiday decorations stored away, knowing they are organized!
• Have the house cleaned. For me, one of the most irritating things about the holidays is how disorderly my house gets during those two hectic months. If you feel the same way, then do yourself a big favor and hire someone to come and clean your house once the kids go back to school. Even if you don’t want a housecleaner to come on a regular basis, hiring one to come at the beginning of the New Year is a great way to get off on the right foot. This is especially true if you are like me and function better when the house is in order and everything is nice and tidy.
• Go through the closets. A lot of people choose to only go through their closets once or twice a year. If you ask me, this is not enough…especially if you have kids! Don’t misunderstand me, I do the normal spring and fall closet cleanings, but I also like to go through them again at the beginning of January too. I mean, think about it. If your children received clothes as Christmas gifts, then it just makes sense to take out some of the clothing that they’ve outgrown or don’t wear anymore, right? It doesn’t matter if you’re removing old t-shirts, pageant dresses, slacks or pajamas. All of these things take up room in the closet, so get rid of what isn’t needed.
• Get back to family dinners. Finally, if you aren’t doing this already or it isn’t a regular routine, then start eating dinner together as a family again. At least three nights a week. Sitting down together and enjoying dinner, as a family, actually brings family members closer together. If you’re children are young, then this is something you should start doing now so when they are teenagers, you’ll still find it easy to talk to them and vice versa.