The long, dark days of winter can actually be warm, cozy and comforting if you love your home. In winter we naturally spend more time inside, and a cluttered home can easily become depressing, if not downright claustrophobic, but it doesn’t have to be: Winter is the perfect time to focus on organizing your house so that it’s a place of peace and contentment. So grab a cup of your favorite warm beverage, a pretty notebook or journal, and get ready to make a plan!

Take a look at each room through new eyes. In your notebook or journal, make a room-by-room list of what you like, what you want to change, and anything that needs to be repaired. Gradually, room by room, take action on your lists. January is a great time to spruce things up in your home by buying a few new bins, baskets or organizing items, since they are usually on sale this time of year.

Taking the time to make your house a comfortable and organized place will help to motivate you to be open to inviting friends and family over and to welcoming new opportunities. This will encourage you to want to be surrounded by the things and people you love and enjoy.

Once you get through your list, take some time to explore some of your hobbies, old or new. You may also want to do a few of the more fun organizing tasks you have wanted to do but haven’t had time for, such as scrapbooking, organizing photos and recipes, and so on.

If you find the decluttering process to be difficult or stressful, a professional organizer can help. We leverage our skills to help you pare things down and set up your space in a pleasing and effective way that will allow you to celebrate the items that are to be kept and helping to create a happy and healthy home for your family.

Sherry Onweller, professional organizer, is the owner of Everyday Organizing Solutions by Sherry, a professional organizing company in NJ, offering customized organizing solutions to residential and business clients. She offers assistance with decluttering, downsizing, time management, and managing volunteer projects as well as helping children and adult females with ADD to get organized, set personal goals and more. To learn more, visit EverydayOrganizingSolutions.com or contact Onweller at 908-619-4561.