(By Himani Chitora)
January does not have fireworks. It arrives almost whispering, whispering questions far kinder than December had asked. Our homes, like our minds, are full after weeks of hosting, giving, taking in, when January arrives. And this is where the concept of a reset begins.
There is no reinvention here, no transformations, just the simple act of releasing.
Decluttering As A Spiritual Discipline
Organizing in January has very little to do with organizing and much to do with intention. It becomes a ritual of letting go of things that no longer have a purpose, of shedding areas that feel heavy, and of releasing habits of holding on to things 'just in case.' As opposed to holiday cleaning, which happens very quickly, organizing in January happens at a slower pace. It’s a moment to ask, 'What gets a place at the table in the coming year?'
When Space Affects State Of Mind
Sometimes, our emotional experiences may relate to the way we design our living space. Over-filled shelves, nooks, and redecorated furniture may have an influence on the mind in a way that is less visible than the naked eye may perceive. A cleaned space, an opened window, or a rearranged room may evoke a sense of release that has little to do with design.
Start Small, And Let The Impact Grow
To begin a reset is simply to begin in one room, not in one entire house. To begin is to begin in a drawer, in a bedside table, in a corner of a room where things have accumulated over a period of holidays. To declutter without a sense of dread is to experience a sense that rooms are not as weighed down. Light comes with ease. Mornings are not frantic.
Resetting Without Replacing
When it comes to re-setting your space, it won’t necessarily involve the purchase of new products; instead, it’s a process of reevaluating your space in conjunction with existing products. By rearranging or decluttering, for example, changes can be realized. When homes return to a residential lifestyle after entertaining for the holidays, functionality becomes the ultimate aim.
Himani Chitora is the Visual Merchandiser at WoodenStreet