It’s almost the new year, and the perfect chance to get your life together – especially during that awkward time between Christmas and New Years, where hopefully you have some extra downtime.
It’s the perfect opportunity to get your life in order, before life feels hectic again and you’re back to work. But it’s also an important time for rest!
So, productive micro-actions for getting life together – at a slow, glacial pace – is where I’m at.
Here are some things I’m doing to get my life together this week. And I plan to do these in the future, whenever I need a quick dose of productivity and decluttering.
If you need a reset, at any time of the year, come back to this list and choose a few of these to tackle, and you’ll feel put together in no time.
1. Declutter your desktop computer
Sort those folders. Get rid of anything you don’t need. And make it a better place to look at once you’re back in work mode.
2. Sort your apps
Whether you decide to make your phone all customized (this is a super fun way to do that with the Pinterest Widget) or you just need to organize things better, a decluttered phone is where it’s at. You can declutter all the things with this list for digitally decluttering.
3. Clear out your following & subscriptions
In with the new, out with the old.
Get rid of things you’re subscribed to that you don’t care to follow anymore. I purged my YouTube and podcast subscriptions and did a mini Instagram unfollow spree. It feels good to remove the excess stuff that you’re never going to watch or listen to.
I especially recommend doing a digital unfollowing spree for social media. You don’t need content that doesn’t serve you popping up on your feed. Just be careful, because if you unfollow too much, Instagram will penalize your account. Do it in short spurts.
4. Create a vision board on Canva
Create a vision board for your mobile phone or desktop computer with Canva. It’s a free app that makes it ridiculously easy to create your own collages. And they’ve already got a ton of templates to work from.
Save images from Pinterest – and search the word “aesthetic” on there to get dreamy photos that embody who you want to be in 2023.
5. Sort your email inbox
Whether that means you fully delete or archive your emails – that’s up to you. But be sure to create a system going forward where you sort emails as they come in (or once a day) so that you can stay on top of it.
6. Create a system for one area of your life that needs it
I love a good system. Ask any of my family or friends, and they’ll tell you that. I’ll spare you the rant, but there’s probably one (or several) things in your life that aren’t working – and it’s not about you, it’s about your systems. Maybe it’s finding a spot for your mail – or creating a better way to structure your morning routine. Time to brainstorm some solutions!
7. Create simplified goals for the new year
Life Goals Collective’s new Goal-Setting workshop is the perfect way to add some structure to your vision for 2023 – in less than an hour and a half. The process takes you through a 4-point system for making goals into action steps that are simple and clear for the new year.
8. Deep clean your fridge
When’s the last time you did this? While you’re at it, check your pantry for expired items.
You likely have some stuff in the back that you haven’t gotten to – and it’s probably time to toss it. Or, if you live in a city with a community fridge, give away anything you know not going to eat.
9. Reflect on 2022
What went well? Have you noticed a change in yourself? What were the highlights? The lowlights? Before jumping into the new year, take a moment to reflect and celebrate all the things that happened this year.
10. Marie Kondo one item in your closet
Tackling your whole closet might be a much bigger feat than a micro action, but is there an area that desperately needs to be sorted? Maybe it’s your sweaters, or your sock drawer – find one area to tackle that’ll make the biggest difference. Or, learn how to fold your clothes KonMari style.
11. Sort the contacts on your phone
If you have an iPhone, you can go into the iCloud to get access to your contact list and mass delete any old numbers you don’t need. While you’re at it, back up those photos!
12. Create an address book
I’m not sure if everyone already has this organized, but I finally got enough adulting energy to create an organized list of all my friends and family’s addresses because I was tired of trying to hunt them down when I needed to send them something. Now they’re all tucked away in one organized place.
13. Update your calendar with important dates
Have important dates to remember in the new year? Add them to your digital calendar – or physical calendar/planner, if that’s your thing.
14. Create a book tracker
First step: create a book goal. Then, track your reading for the year! Use the one we have inside ClickUp for Creatives – or create your own to keep track of the books you read. Good Reads is always the easiest route. I also love this Book Bullet Journal idea from @alltheradreeds on TikTok.
15. Create a budget with an app
Have a money-related goal? Use an app to track your spending in the new year. (We have a budget tracker in ClickUp for Creatives too. 😉)
16. Figure out your new workout routine
Want to spice up your workout routine? There are a lot of apps out there with free trials, so you can give them a test run in the new year, like the Cacti Wellness Collective App.
17. Declutter your makeup/skincare products
Not so fun fact: most opened makeup products expire in less than a year.
18. Sort through your Notes app
Girl, I know you’ve got alllll your little random notes in there. Oh, is that just me? Welp. Consider this your sign to organize them. Delete what needs to go, and organize the rest. Why is this still the simplest app to add our random thoughts to?
19. Take a course
I’m using this downtime to take fun courses. Is there something you’ve been wanting to learn? Complete a module! I’m currently taking the Enneagram IRL course from @NineTypesCo to learn more about the enneagram system! Skillshare has a bunch of fun quick courses you can take, for pretty much anything you could possibly want to learn. New members get a free month with our code. #Partner
20. Sign up for a challenge
Who doesn’t love a good challenge in the new year? The Nike Run Club app has a bunch of running challenges. Plus, there’s a ton of other challenges going on. Now’s the time to get signed up for one!
What would you add to the list?
