It's not too late for our plans and goals... there's still Chinese New Year!

When the New Year comes around, many of us think about our goals or plans for the upcoming year. While it is good to evaluate parts of your life and consider changes you'd like to make, it is also helpful to think about your physical environment and ways to make it better and more comfortable. For some, that may mean a coat of paint, a new piece of furniture, or fresh curtains. However, for most of us, changes to our homes involve getting rid of the excess "stuff" we have somehow accumulated.

Letting go of clutter always sounds good, but we all know that it can be difficult to let go of things we no longer need. We have all heard phrases like "I paid good money for this item," or "I might need it someday." But how helpful is it to store something you haven't used in ages just because you paid for it or on the off chance you may need it sometime in the distant future? If you find yourself feeling that way, be clear about your reasons for wanting to make changes. Then imagine how pleasant your environment will look and feel once it is clutter-free.

Once this step is completed, it's time to move on to consider what to let go of and what to keep. Are there some belongings that are particularly special to you? Is there some activity or hobby you would like to make space for? Which items in your home could be passed on to someone else or a charity in order to accommodate your new interest? Making a list of these items could help prepare you both mentally and emotionally to make the necessary steps to get rid of things you no longer need.

A final suggestion, is to think of ways to organize your clearing. Be selective by beginning with an area in your home where you will see the most difference. Doing this will help you to stay motivated to work on other areas, even if you progress a little at a time.

Whether you devote a few minutes a day to cleaning out a drawer or clearing off a shelf or spend a few hours every weekend working on one room in your house, if you keep up your de-cluttering momentum you will soon reap the benefits of a home that is cleaner and more organized than you ever dreamed possible.

Good luck with this task guys! The acts of organizing and working to de-cluttering your living space will help you to be more open and available to opportunities coming your way.