I Thought I’d Start Decluttering After Christmas
August 20, 2026
My decluttering journey started in an odd way—while decorating my Christmas tree.
Making the decision in December to downsize in 2026 meant one thing—decluttering would have to wait until after Christmas. I knew I wouldn’t discard anything until after the holidays, but that didn’t stop me from thinking about it. I decided that planning to downsize would be my first step.
As I unpacked decorations and hung the ornaments, I found myself asking questions like:
How often do I use this?
Does it still look like something I want to put out?
Is it worth putting on the moving truck?
My cabinets held things I seldom used, but I kept them just in case. There were things I bought and kept even though they didn’t complement my favorite pieces. We also had inherited decorations that were too fragile to put out.
As I went through the month and prepared for Christmas, I paid attention to these things. The more I looked, the more I realized I could let go of several things. Little by little, I began to look forward to downsizing.
My excitement also grew because I remembered moving to our current home and imagining how our things would look fine in our new place. In reality, they looked old and tired. What seemed okay in the old house was out of place in the new. I was glad I remembered that experience, and I could do things differently this time around.
Anticipating our move was also a plus. It motivated me to inspect things closely. I imagined myself in my new home, ready to decorate for Christmas and excited about unwrapping holiday boxes. How do I want to feel then?
Admitting that I didn’t want certain things in my new home now gave me the nudge I would need when the time came to discard them.
And the question about the truck wasn’t just about the vehicle. It was asked to see if an item was worth taking up space in a box, and the energy to pack it, put it on the truck, and take it off again. Would I look forward to unpacking it next Christmas, and be pleased with myself for keeping it? It was a loaded question, but an important one to ask.
These questions were guideposts for my thoughts. They kept me focused on my current goal. They gave me something to do before I could actually start. They will also help my future self feel successful.
So, as I went through the month of December, mentally sorting decor and thinking about my priorities. And, wouldn’t you know it, as I considered what I wanted to keep and let go of, I recognized a voice in my head that challenged nearly every decision: "But that was Mom's pie server." "Nancy gave me that." "You want to get rid of that?"
With thoughts like that, I could tell decluttering would take some fortitude.
I didn’t let these comments discourage me, though. I was grateful for the insight because I was just planning. This was the time to anticipate problems and uncover questions that need answers.
For example, I had several doctor visits in December. In the past, I’d push myself to do what I used to because my brain thought I could. But when I couldn’t keep up, I became frustrated. My expectations set me up for disappointment.
Planning ahead was an unexpected game-changer. I could acknowledge my need for extra time and low energy, and schedule it in. And honestly, I was grateful for the walking I could do. Any progress I made was worth celebrating.
In early December, I didn’t see planning as part of my decluttering process, but it certainly was—it was my first step.
After Christmas, when the tree was down, I was eager to look at decorations and really decide: Will this make the move with us, or will it find another home? I touched every single item, but I wasn't making decisions from scratch. I was already working my plan, and that felt good.
Clearing the Way This Week:
What project do you have coming up that would benefit from planning first?
Imagine yourself unpacking boxes in the life you want without clutter. What can you do to help your future self enjoy that moment?
What planning can you do now to prevent potential setbacks or minimize their impact?
I'm learning to be more intentional with both my thoughts and my things as we prepare for retirement and a major move. I'm sharing what I learn here on Clearing the Way—and I hope you'll find something helpful as you clear your own way forward. If you'd like to follow along, I'd love to have you join me.
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