Create a “Yes” Home Environment for the New Year
This is the fifth and final post in my holiday series, created to inspire you and help you find more ease during this season. If you missed the previous one, here it is: Mindful Post-Holiday Reset
This post is written for you during a time filled with ambition, opportunity, and excitement for a new year. It's when many people make resolutions to improve their lives and become better versions of themselves. I often see people wish for things without first building a strong foundation, so I invite you to pause and consider this question:
Does your home environment support what you want to bring into your life?
A “yes” home environment is one where every item supports your goals and well-being. Organizing and evaluating your belongings helps you gain clarity about what is important and worthy of your time and attention. This guide walks you through the steps to create a supportive home environment.
01. Set Goals by Category
Much like the KonMari Method® of tidying your home by category, Marie Kondo suggests breaking resolutions into four types:
Personal and Lifestyle Goals: focus on your well-being and supporting your ideal lifestyle, such as having a consistent nighttime routine.
Home Goals: focus on your physical space and how you live in private at home. Can include completing a full tidying festival or hosting with less stress.
Relationship Goals: focus on any relationship that you want to enhance, like having weekly dates with your partner or meeting with a friend for an activity each month.
Mind Goals: focus on your mental health and intellectual growth, such as learning a new skill.
Brainstorm and document your goals in a way that works for you, whether that is in a journal, a note on your phone, or a vision board.
02. Translate Goals into Needs
Identify a corresponding need or want for each goal. Here are some examples:
Personal and Lifestyle Goal: I want to have a consistent nighttime routine, so I have more energy during the day → I need a clutter-free and functional bathroom and bedroom.
Home Goal: I want to feel relaxed and not spend so much time cleaning up and shuffling things around → I need to declutter and find permanent homes for my things.
Relationship Goal: I want to have more friends over and not feel ashamed of my home → I need to create a comfortable, cozy, and safe gathering area.
Mind Goal: I want to start painting again → I need a place for my supplies that is easy to access and a clear surface to paint on.
03. Decide on Your “Yes” Criteria
This is an important step that is specific to your goals. For example, an item stays only if it meets one or all of these criteria:
○ It serves a current and clear purpose that supports a resolution
○ It brings joy
○ It is beautiful and enhances the space
04. Tidy Using “Yes” Criteria
Evaluate each goal and decide what to keep in the relevant space. Ask yourself whether each item serves a purpose in the home environment you're creating to reach your resolutions. Will those expired skincare products contribute to your nighttime routine? Do the unread art books from ten years ago still match your painting goals?
Objects are not placeholders for what you wished for your past self, unfulfilled ambitions, or foregone dreams.
That's why it's important to be honest about what you keep. If something prevents you from working toward your current goals, it is not a “yes” item.
05. Streamline and Simplify
I learned from psychologists that reducing friction and barriers is important. Take note of what you've decided to keep, and organize it in a way that makes access easier.
○ Make sure everything is in good condition and functions properly.
○ Assign a specific spot for each item because you're more likely to use it if you know where it is.
○ Place items in locations that are easy to access and make sense to you.
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By making intentional choices, you create an environment that helps you focus on achieving your New Year's resolutions. I work with people who want a home that reflects what’s important to them and supports how they want to live, no matter the season. You can get support by contacting me to book a no-pressure, complimentary consultation.
