A December Declutter Guide

Written by: Claudia Haller NBC-HWC

The holidays are such an exciting time! With all of the traditions, music, shopping, decorating, baking, and celebrating, there is so much to look forward to! From relaxing get-togethers with family to festive gatherings with close friends, this time of year is all about spending quality time together and making happy memories.

 
​However, as much fun as the holidays can be, they can also be a huge source of stress and anxiety. Between shopping for presents, tracking down family members to make travel arrangements, and juggling work and social commitments, it's very easy to feel overwhelmed.

December does not have to be a blur of busyness leading up to the holidays. With a little bit less on your plate, you can actually enjoy all of the moments along the way too! That's why I've decided to take on the challenge of decluttering different aspects of my life over the next month. Here are five areas of your life you can declutter this December.​

How to Declutter Your Schedule
During the holiday season, our calendars tend to fill up quickly with all sorts of events – parties, shopping trips, and get-togethers with friends and family members. While it might be tempting to say yes to everything and spend every waking moment running from one activity to the next, it's important to take a step back and remember that you don't need to do it all. As one of my favorite Peloton instructors, Robin Arzon, likes to say, you have to get comfortable with saying no, in order to protect your yes.

When you say no, it gives you the ability to prioritize the activities that are most important to you and your loved ones. For you, this could mean only choosing a pre-set number of engagements you'll say yes to so that you save room for quality family time. Or you may shop online more this year to save time typically spent walking around the malls or driving around town. Prioritizing the important events first will allow you to re-arrange your schedule and get creative with finding time-saving hacks for giving yourself the downtime you need and deserve. So when those party invitations and shopping lists start pouring in over the coming weeks, don't hesitate to say no.

How to Declutter Your Mind
One effective way to alleviate some of the stress of the season is to take a few minutes each day for meditation. Meditation has been shown to have many beneficial effects on the mind and body, including reducing stress levels and improving concentration and focus.
While meditation might seem intimidating, it truly is for everyone. People who have the ability to meditate for half an hour in complete silence also had to start somewhere. There are countless meditation apps to search through, and they each provide a variety of guided meditations and other resources. The most effective way to soak up the joy of the season is by being present in the moment. So take the time during December to calm your mind, clear your thoughts through meditation, and reap all the benefits of it.
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How to Declutter Your Diet
The holiday season often comes with a lot of sweet treats and hearty feasts. While it’s important to enjoy those traditions, it’s equally important that you maintain your health goals. To stay healthy this holiday season, focus on eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and reducing your sugar intake. If you can apply these principles when your diet is in your control, those treats at holiday gatherings and festivities will truly be treats.
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I know that you already have a lot on your plate this season, so commit to practical steps you can easily follow, such as adding a side salad to at least one daily meal. For the month of December, swap out your snacks for some fresh veggies with a delicious dip you love. Cut out that third cup of coffee and opt for a warm and cozy winter tea. There are countless ways you can simplify your diet this holiday season to be more healthy in the long run. 

How to Declutter Your Physical Space
During the holiday season, it’s easy for our physical spaces to become cluttered. With string lights hanging everywhere, fake snow on every surface and holiday decorations filling up every free space, it can get overwhelming. Take some time to declutter your living spaces. Cleaning is not just for the spring! Organize your closet and create a serene environment that promotes relaxation amidst the seasonal frenzy. Remember that the holiday season is not just a season of gifting, but giving. Consider donating items that you no longer need to loved ones or charities that you know.

One of my favorite rules to use during the holiday season to make sure that I’m not accumulating too much is the “one-in, one-out” rule. For every item that you bring into your home during the month of December, consider letting go of something you already have. This ensures that your space remains clutter-free and that the only things taking up space in your life give you joy.

How to Declutter Your Digital Life
In today’s world, clutter does not just exist in our physical life, but also in our digital life. Our virtual spaces can become just as cluttered as our physical ones. What does digital clutter look like? Constant influxes of marketing emails, repetitive pictures that fill your camera roll, unnecessary apps and more. During this season, take some time to declutter your virtual life. Unsubscribe from email lists, organize your files and delete the apps that you no longer use.

Another way to declutter your digital life is by taking a digital detox. Choose one day of the month where you disconnect from social media and technology. Completely disconnecting may be impossible for those of you who need to use technology to work or communicate with family on a daily basis. If that sounds like you, take one day to only use technology when absolutely necessary; it’s the thought that counts!! Any sort of break from technology can provide a mental reset and help you absorb the precious present moments of the holiday season. 

By taking these tips and applying them to your life, you can declutter your December! This month, gift yourself the ability to soak in the holiday season and start the new year feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Additional Resources
Interested in getting more tips on how to declutter your diet? Check out my personal blog on superfoods, a great way to enhance your holiday dining with nutrient dense seasonal specialties: https://www.vibranthealthbyclaudia.com/blog/tis-the-season-for-superfoods-enhancing-holiday-dining-with-nutrient-power. 

Wondering how you can possibly meditate with so much going on this season? Check out our blog full of meditation tips for the easily distracted: https://www.virtualhealthcoaches.com/blog/meditation-tips-for-the-easily-distracted
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Claudia is an NBC-HWC Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, the owner of Vibrant Health by Claudia LLC  and Virtual Health Coaches LLC. She studied health and wellness coaching at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition where she also completed courses in Gut Health, Hormone Health, and Advanced Coaching. She is a certified 21-Day Sugar Detox Coach as well as a co-author of two Amazon Bestsellers “The Ultimate Guide to creating your soul aligned Business” and “The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a successful soul professional”.

To schedule a time for a free information call click here or join her Vibrant Health Power Community - a free Facebook Group - here.

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