5 New Year’s Resolutions For Your Home

I love the New Year. You get a clean slate and you don’t even need to move to get it. So, now that you are done with the holiday decorations and festivities, it’s time to focus on you and your goals for the upcoming year. These five resolutions for your home can help you achieve those goals.

Resolutions for Your Home #1:  Get Healthy and Fit by Giving Your Fridge and Pantry a Makeover

I signed up for a 60-day fitness challenge at the gym – in November. Honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking. I appreciate truth in advertising and, yes, they delivered on the challenge part. With the temptation of holiday treats behind me, I can use the information that I gained from the fitness challenge to make changes in 2018.  And, so can you.

Step 1: Take a picture of your fridge and your pantry.

(This is your “Before” shot. Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to take any other “Before” shots.)

Step 2: Clean out your fridge and pantry.

Step 3: Plan out your meals this week.

Step 4: Create easy-to-grab healthy snacks.

Step 5:  Take a picture of your new fridge and pantry and share it with a friend. (The “After” shot).

Make one small change in the way you eat. For example, eat eggs for breakfast instead of cereal or add a vegetable serving at dinner. All you need to do is plan, set up your food, and take a few photos. If it looks like Martha Stewart organized your fridge, your healthy snacks will entice you. Your shared photos will help you stay on track because your friends will provide you with the encouragement you need.

Plan ahead with healthy snacks in your organized kitchen.

Resolutions for Your Home #2:  Get Organized by Decluttering

Lose home weight by decluttering your home. It’ll feel so good when you’re done. Since you cleaned out your fridge already, let’s head to another room in your house. If you want to add romance into your life, start with your bedroom. This should be your oasis, a serene getaway. It should not be the place where piles of papers go to die (guilty).  Focus on a specific category like clothing and make your way through the items that occupy your sacred space. If the item doesn’t make you smile, get rid of it.

Make your bedroom a priority when you declutter.

Resolutions for Your Home #3: Live Life to Its Fullest By Making Your Hobbies Part of the Décor

If your New Year’s resolution is to live life to its fullest or to try new things, incorporate your hobbies into your home. Now that you’ve decluttered and organized your home, you can highlight the things that make you happy. If you’re a baker, set up a baking station in your kitchen with your favorite bowls and spatulas ready to go. Wannabe musician?  Display your guitar in the living room within easy reach of your couch. Knitter? Fill a basket with soft yarn, knitting needles and an inspirational knitting book. For the aspiring writer: find that nook for your makeshift desk where a new notebook, a fresh pen and a steaming cup of coffee await you.

Make it easy to access the things you love.

Resolutions for Your Home #4: Spend More Time with Loved Ones By Creating Spaces to Entertain 

The secret to happiness is . . . other people. Close relationships are the number one indicator of a person’s happiness, so make them a priority in your home. First, think about how you like to socialize. Do you prefer one-on-one time with a friend and a cup of coffee? Or,  would you rather invite a group of friends over for dinner and drinks? Maybe you prefer a family night filled with popcorn, board games and a movie.

Then, once you know how you like to spend your time with others, turn your home into a place for easy entertainment. Put two chairs by the window for you and your friend. Place a tray on a table with chocolates, a good book, a candle, and coasters. You’ll be ready whenever your friend stops by unexpectedly. After a few impromptu get togethers, it may become a Sunday morning ritual.  If you prefer dinner parties, display your plates and glassware as a reminder to invite friends over more often. For those who prefer movie nights, move your couches to face the TV with convenient places to put drinks and snacks. Also, remember to keep easy (healthy?) snacks on hand so you can invite friends over spontaneously.

Create a space for your favorite type of socializing.

Resolutions for Your Home #5: Don’t Put Off What You Can Accomplish Today

It makes me sad when people create their dream home right before they list their house to sell. Unfortunately, these home sellers never get to enjoy the benefits of their decluttered, organized, and renovated home. So that it doesn’t happen to you, make the changes to your home right now, this weekend. Set aside time to fulfill all the resolutions for your home that are on your list. In addition, remember to write down your goals in order to achieve maximum success.

Create your perfect home BEFORE it’s time to sell it.

I would love to see photos of your home resolutions! Please share them on social media with the #happymoving tag. You’ll inspire the rest of us to achieve our goals, too.