Before the New Year: Organizing Rituals That Set You Up for 2026
As we wind down the year, I’m sure I’m not the only one looking forward to some days off. Our home is a bustle of activity this time of year, but after Boxing Day (December 26th), the kids are doing their own thing and I finally get around to some personal organizing. Several years ago, I started a couple of organizing holiday traditions that are worth sharing.
- Delete your camera roll.
This is my favorite tradition. I make myself a cup of tea, get cozy on the sofa, and go through my entire camera roll from the past year. It gives me the opportunity to relive all the memories while deleting tons of superfluous photos. I could do this periodically throughout the year, but I never get around to it. This exercise takes me a good couple of hours, and sometimes I break it into two sessions, but I find it both enjoyable and incredibly satisfying to get rid of all the extraneous photos. - Tally up your expenses.
This exercise is nowhere near as much fun, but it’s important to keep track of spending. I go through my credit cards and calculate how much I spent in various categories such as entertainment, clothing, beauty, travel, groceries, etc. I then compare my totals to previous years for some insightful data! - Declutter your office.
Start the new year off on the right foot by organizing your office. An organized workspace clears your mind and helps boost productivity. Shred old documents, mail, and anything else you no longer need. - If you have time left over, tackle another area of your home.
Maybe your bathroom could use a thorough declutter. Perhaps your fridge or spice cabinet? - Set your intention for next year.
I love setting goals. As a business owner, I spend a significant amount of time strategizing for the upcoming year, but I also create personal goals. I avoid the term resolution since these seem to be easily broken. Instead, I assess what worked for me this year, what didn’t, and what I want to add in the year ahead. If you want to take your goal setting to the next level, I highly recommend the Boundless Journal by Andy Bailey and the Boundless Program.
Even if you don’t get to everything on your list, every little bit counts. There’s something incredibly satisfying about starting the new year knowing you tackled a few organizing projects you rarely have the time to get to. It’s a simple way to begin the year feeling lighter, calmer, and more in control.
Wishing you a very happy, healthy, and organized new year!
Janet