The holidays will be different this year, but the feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed will most likely still be present. Let Laura’s mission is all about helping you create purposeful places for the important things in your life, opening up space and time to focus on living the life you love.
This especially resonates with us around the holidays because isn’t that what the holidays are all about? Spending time with loved ones and not feeling like you’re in a vice grip? Read below for our top holiday organizing tips to feel less stressed this season AND how to get a head start on organizing your home as we head into the New Year.
1. Create a timeline. Make a list of the big-ticket items you need to do this holiday season and set a deadline for each. Break the big tasks into smaller, bite-size pieces to strategically help you manage your time and not feel overwhelmed. Let’s use holiday cards as an example. You may need to schedule a date to take a family photo (or set time aside to look through the overflowing photos you already have), create the card, update your mailing list, buy stamps, stuff and mail the envelopes. Once you can see all of the different pieces and assign deadlines, the process will be so much easier and less stressful. Other big-ticket items may include decorating the house, planning holiday meals and gift-giving!
2. Take inventory of what you have. Focus on your kitchen, decorations, gifting supplies and entertaining items - even if it’s virtual this year. For example, how are you serving your holiday feast? Which serving platters and dishes will you use for all that yummy food? Do you use your china plates or if you are having a small COVID-19 safe gathering do you need to order paper plates and disposable utensils? If you know what’s in your home you will feel less anxious about planning and save time and money on not buying things you already own.
Pro Tip: Include gifts in this category. If you have stockpiled gifts throughout the year, now is the time to find them! Carve out some time to do this NOW and your future self with thank you and feel less frazzled! If you have relatives and friends asking what you want for the holidays create a Pinterest board or Amazon List and send them the link (this works for all family members and Pinterest is great with little kids because it is all pictures).
3. Declutter priority spaces. Review, edit and purge items that you have outgrown, no longer use or don’t love anymore. You are most likely about to be inundated with a plethora of new things and by doing a pre-purge you will create space for new items coming into your home and feel more relaxed knowing you have a place to put those items. Toys, decorations, gifting stations, pantries and entertaining items are some of the most common spaces we organize around the holidays. A friendly reminder to only do what you can and that some progress is better than no progress.
Pro Tip: This is the best time of year to declutter and organize holiday decorations because it is fresh in your mind and decision making will be easier. You know exactly what you just used and what you didn’t. Keep this guideline in mind throughout the year and always review your items at the change of a season or occasion.
4. Outsource and/or accept help. Humans, women in particular often view asking for help as a weakness or a bad thing. Think about shifting your perspective, and you will feel empowered, be more productive and have a clearer mind (all of those “to do’s” take up precious real estate in your head)! Whether it’s getting donations out of your house or peeling potatoes in your kitchen, speak up and delegate or if someone is offering, give yourself the best gift of all and graciously accept!
5. Know it’s OK. Dropped the ball on the holiday cards or decorating your home? Don’t freak out, that will only increase stress, worry and anxiety. Stay calm, pour yourself a glass of your favorite beverage and think of an alternate solution (here at Let Laura we are expert problem-solvers). Most places can print holiday cards with a quick turn around or consider doing something different this year and go digital. I promise it will be OK and you might even start a new tradition of doing what you want to do instead of doing what you feel you “have to do.” This year threw some lemons at us so instead of fretting, take a deep breath and make lemonade.
Enjoy all the hard work, planning and prep you put into the holidays this year and let yourself feel relaxed, happy and most of all - present.
| Let Laura’s mission is to help create purposeful places for the important things in your life, opening up space and time to focus on living the life you love. Their clients want to make their lifestyle and physical spaces more efficient, less chaotic and overall better. The Company shares your desire to keep things practical and pretty. Their systems will help you create a life that is simple, stylish and sustainable. |
Laura has been called fun, detailed, creative, genuine and optimistic. She has always believed the more positive your outlook, the more positive your outcome. When she is not solving space challenges or alleviating the stress of the moving process for clients, you can find her hanging out with her husband and daughter, traveling the world (she has been to forty-two countries and counting!), playing at the water’s edge or cooking up something delicious at home. | |
*This article was first published in Lower Manhattan Macaroni KID.
