We made it. I know that our world won't change that dramatically just because we flipped the calendar and watched the ball drop in our pajamas. But I would imagine I speak for the majority that we are glad to see the back side of 2020, and if the door hits it on the way out, we don't care.
January brings about new enthusiasm for minimizing. We have to put away the gifts, wrapping, and decor that we gleefully brought into our homes, perhaps despite our November pledges to NOT overbuy this year and be grateful for what we already have. Oops.
One of my girlfriends proudly decorates for Christmas with six things. SIX?! That even includes the tree and stockings for her, kid, and dog. If she is reading this, she is doing so with all the extra time she has NOT putting all her crap back in boxes in the attic.
Consider what you DO have when you're putting things away after fall and Christmas holidays. As your kids/families change, consider donating or recycling things that no longer serve you. I try to cull the herd every year, and now that Boy Wonder is decorating his own place, I unloaded a bunch of his stuff to his stash. I don't need the Millennium Falcon ornament that was his in the first place! So long R2D2 - these are not the droids I am looking for anymore!
It may be too late to save yourself, but tell your friends. DON'T buy everything at Target/AtHome/Hobby Lobby during after Christmas sales! The retailers are SUPER happy to get rid of all their stuff so they can stock for Valentines/Easter/Halloween, but you don't have to help them. Yes, prices are 75% off, but I stored some 90% off pumpkin votive holders for years without using them, until I finally pawned off on ANOTHER girlfriend during a garage sale (sorry, Teresa). Be brutal in your choices of sale purchases. Your Biden Bucks from the stimulus checks should not go to holiday decor on sale.
What about storage containers? Target sees you, and you feel seen. They have color-coordinated storage for ALL your putting-away needs post-holiday. Container Store? Even more connected to your inner storage desires. This is counterintuitive to the whole minimalist credo. Cute storage is fun - nay, ADORABLE. But, it just permits our dirty little secret of that 500 snowman collection to thrive amid red and green plastic tubs and bubble wrap.
This year, go hard and cull that herd. Keep the things that add value to your holiday, that you actually display prominently, and consider repurposing the ones you don't. I don't mean toss the stocking Granny made for you as a child because now you use the matching family ones you ordered from LLBean. The Mr. and Mrs. Snowman you won as a centerpiece raffle at the office Christmas party (not this year because Covid)? You hate it, but someone else may like it. And they may only have SIX things and they need at least seven... (sorry, Bex).
Happy January Tidying, minimalist friends. Onward to a vaccine filled 2021!
