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Shed the Past: Why Your Best Year Starts with Less

Back in the spring, I wrote about why spring is the best time for goal setting. I still stand by that. But there is something meaningful that can be done this January to prepare yourself for the new year ahead.

The idea isn’t to leap into resolutions or pressure yourself into becoming a brand-new version of you overnight. The point is to lighten your load before stepping into a new season of life.

January is your time to declutter—mentally, digitally, and physically—so that when spring arrives, you’re ready to grow.

You might be thinking: Kayla… this is backwards.
And honestly, if you’re going by the calendar, you’re not wrong.

But hear me out.

We’re told January is about fresh starts, big goals, “new year, new me.” But has that ever actually helped? If you’re anything like me, you hype yourself up for all the things you’re going to do… only to get bulldozed by leftover stress, unfinished to-dos, and emotional clutter from the year you just lived.

You lose momentum, feel overwhelmed, and abandon your resolutions.
And then, worst of all, you feel bad for “failing.”

Here’s the truth:
Spring is the real season of new beginnings.
The sun returns. Flowers bloom. Grass turns green again. Nature comes back to life.

But before that can happen, everything must first let go in winter.

So that’s what we’re doing here—letting go of the old to prepare for your regrowth in the spring.

Below is a simple, intentional plan to help you release what no longer serves you.

. Declutter Your Mental, Digital, and Physical Spaces

Mental Declutter

Start by doing a brain dump. Open your Notes app or grab a journal and unload:

  • Overdue tasks
  • Worries
  • Random reminders
  • Things you don’t want to carry into the new year

Clear your mind so you can start fresh.

Digital Declutter

Your digital life deserves a refresh too.

Email:

  • Reply to anything that needs attention
  • Archive or delete old messages
  • Unsubscribe from anything that doesn’t serve you

Photos:
Be honest—your phone is full.

  • Back up the photos you want
  • Delete duplicates
  • Clear out old screenshots

Apps:
Let go of what you don’t use. Cluttered devices = cluttered mind.

Physical Declutter

Go room by room, or start with closets—they create the most impact.

  • Clear out items you haven’t used in 6–12 months
  • Donate clothes you haven’t worn
  • Toss products you never use
  • Match your Tupperware (we all avoid this one!)
  • Remove anything that feels heavy, crowded, or unnecessary

Creating space physically helps you feel lighter mentally.

2. Audit Your Spending, Saving, and Financial Habits

Mental Audit

Put everything on paper (or digital):

  • Bills
  • Debts
  • Subscriptions
  • Income

You can’t set financial goals until you clearly see where you are. Keeping it visible, not in your mind, reduces stress.

Digital Audit

  • Do you have too many financial apps?
  • Can you consolidate your accounts?
  • Are you paying for subscriptions you don’t use?
  • Turn on spending notifications—they help keep you accountable.

Choose tools that simplify, not complicate, your financial life.

Physical Audit

Paper clutter counts too.

  • Switch physical bills to digital
  • Sort receipts (your tax person will thank you)
  • Review your spending patterns
  • Identify what you can leave behind in 2025

Are you ordering unnecessary things online?
Relying on takeout because it’s easier?
Buying things you don’t need out of stress?

This shows you where your financial clutter lives.

3. Review Your Calendar & How You Spent Your Time

Look back at your 2025 calendar or even your phone’s location history—it’s surprisingly eye-opening.

Mental Time Audit

Ask yourself:

  • Have I ma time for rest?
  • When was my last vacation?
  • Did I pour into my hobbies or things that bring me joy?
  • Or was it mostly work, errands, and traffic?

What events or commitments weigh you down?
Where can you declutter from your schedule?

Digital Calendar

If you’re not using one, now’s the time.

  • Color-code categories (work, home, kids, self-care)
  • Remove old recurring events
  • Add in “me time” and downtime
  • Look at where your time really goes

Physical Time

You only get 24 hours each day.

While some things are out of your control, you can still aim for balance:

  • Sleep
  • Movement
  • Rest
  • Family time
  • Work
  • Play

Decluttering your time makes room for healthier rhythms in the new year.

Let Winter Do Its Work

By clearing your mind, your devices, your finances, and your physical spaces, you’ll step into the new year feeling lighter—not overwhelmed.

This isn’t about reinventing yourself on January 1st.
It’s about removing what drains you so that when spring arrives, you can bloom without resistance.

Balance your mind. Clear your digital world. Clean your space.
Make room for all the good things coming your way this year.

Your springtime self will thank you.