January Checklist

Often in January we make promises to ourselves. New year, new me and all that jazz. Whether you believe in resolutions, or find them hokey and ridiculous, there is never a bad time to check in with yourself and your home. As we go about our lives we accumulate things. It might be mail on the desk, tupperware filling up the fridge, or maybe it’s mental clutter. Whatever needs cleaning out in your life, go for it. It doesn’t matter if you believe in resolutions or not, every day is a new day to start fresh, but it’s up to you to put the work in.

• Check the batteries in your smoke/carbon monoxide detector
• Organize your board games. It’s easy to get lazy putting away a game, saying next time you’ll put things away properly. Over time the mess just becomes the normal state of affairs. Take the opportunity to clean it up, and keep it that way.
• Protect your pipes from freezing. It’s about to get cold, like real cold. If your pipes are prone to freezing make sure that doesn’t happen this year. Winter is better with running water and no burst pipes

• Revive a space in your home. Just like us, our homes become subject to routine. Take a moment to revive a space and invite new warmth into your home.
• Check in with your potted plants. Having plants in your home is a great way to keep things fresh, make sure these plants have everything they need to thrive. In the depths of winter, these little green guys can remind you that spring and summer aren’t far away.
• Put away your holiday decorations. It’s easy to let these sit a little too long. Be proactive and clean them up.

• Take steps to prevent ice dams. You know where the problem spots around your home are. See what you can do to prevent these places from becoming issues in the first place and make your winter go a little smoother.
• Clean out your cabinets & fridge. You know what’s good and what isn’t. Create a little more space and organization in your pantry and fridge. This will set you up for a better diet and make finding the foods you do want to eat a bit easier.

• Clean out your wardrobe. We all have clothes we are saving for the right opportunity, but years go by and we still haven’t found it. Create space, and donate the clothes you don’t wear. There are other people who could make use of what just takes up space in your home.
• Make sure your kitchen is stocked and ready to help along those healthy eating habits you promised you were going to stick to this year. Set yourself up for success.
• Create light. Winter is a dark season. Make sure there is just enough light in your home to feel cozy and bright.

• Organize your desktop. Whether it’s the mess of documents that have accumulated on your computer or that stack of papers you swear is important even though you never look at it. Clean it up.
• Hibernate. After the holidays we are all a little worn. Take some time and space for yourself. Enjoy the space you’ve just revived and a clean home. The winter weather is a perfect time to hunker down, get cozy, and reset.