No matter how clean and tidy we keep our homes, clutter seems to be a never-ending burden. And the new year is the perfect time to declutter for a more organized home (and mind!).
If you’ve attempted one of the many decluttering methods out there, you’ll probably be familiar with the famous ‘KonMari’ method. Created by the decluttering guru Marie Kondo, the KonMari method is simple — keep only the things that “spark joy”, get rid of the rest. That way, you won’t procrastinate and dwell on unnecessary things you don’t need.
But if you're having trouble deciding what to keep or ditch, Kondo suggests a few specific, frequently-used items that we should replace for the new year. In fact, this method is actually a favorite ancient Japanese ritual intended to welcome the new year with a renewed sense of energy. Here’s why.
Kondo’s 3 things to get rid of for the new year
Essentially, this act of replacing ‘symbolic’ things is one of three ancient traditions that originated in Japan. The first tradition is “kakizome”, which means writing down our goals and resolutions for the new year. The second is to begin the year with a traditional, symbolic meal called “osechi ryori”. This can also be a traditional dish from your own culture, with each dish representing a wish for the coming year.
Finally, the third is to use something new, meaning we should replace one old item with a new one that can maximize our appreciation of the new year. With that said, here are the three items Konda suggests we must replace.
1. Underwear
According to Marie Kondo, the underwear chosen for New Year's Day is significant in feng shui, as it can influence the mood and tone of the entire year. In particular, the color white is symbolic of new beginnings and having a fresh start to the new year.
“Ever since I found that out, I’ve started the year wearing brand new, white underwear,” states Kondo. “White symbolizes new beginnings, so breaking out something white allows me to begin the year feeling refreshed.”
So, I’ll be sure to go through my drawers to replace my old, worn, or faded colored undies with brilliant white ones. This concept can also extend to old or worn socks that could do with replacing. Fingers crossed, my year will have a good start!
2. Towels
Another item Kondo suggests getting rid of and replacing is our old towels. This is especially the case if you’ve had your favorites for years, and these are now in need of an upgrade.
Plus, I’ve managed to accumulate a bunch of towels over the years, and don’t tend to use all of them. If you don’t want to throw away or donate, there are clever ways to recycle old towels. For instance, old bath towels can be used as an alternative to dust, floor coverings, if you’re learning to paint a room like a pro. Or these come in handy as multi-purpose cleaning rags for large areas, the car, or a faster way to mop up any spillages or leaks.
In any case, check out these 5 tell-tale signs you need to throw out your towels — and ways to repurpose them, for a more clutter-free new year.
3. Toothbrush
Toothbrushes are another item that should be replaced as part of a new year declutter. And even if you have one of the best electric toothbrushes, you’ll need to replace the brush head.
“Of course, it doesn’t need to be underwear. Replace something that you use often, like a toothbrush,” says Kondo.
In addition, it’s good practice to always clean your toothbrush after every use, and deep clean it about once a week to disinfect. For more tips, check out how to clean a toothbrush to get the best out of it.
Kondo suggests these simple adjustments will leave you feeling more refreshed and energized for the new year — I’ll let you know how I get on.
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