4 Ways to Declutter After the Holidays Without Getting Overwhelmed

Declutter your expectations. Look, we all love the holidays. The food, the time off work, the loot—I mean, gifts. But let’s be real for a second: once the guests leave and the sugar crash hits, you’re left looking at your living room, wondering if a festive bomb went off. There are boxes everywhere, wrapping paper scraps hiding under the sofa, and you suddenly own three new air fryers because, apparently, nobody coordinates gifts anymore.

The post-holiday slump is real, and staring at the mountain of stuff can feel like facing a final boss with zero health potions. But don’t panic. You don’t need to burn the house down and start over. You just need a strategy. Here is your ultimate guide to the declutter post-holiday grind without spiraling into an existential crisis.

Start Small (No, Smaller Than That)

The biggest mistake people make is trying to clean the entire house in one marathon session. That’s a rookie move. You’re going to burn out by noon and end up napping on a pile of unwashed holiday sweaters.

Instead, treat this like a side quest. Pick one area—literally just one drawer or a single shelf. Clear it out. Feel that tiny hit of dopamine? Good. Now move to the next one. If you look at the whole house, you’ll freeze. If you look at one junk drawer, you can dominate it. Focus on high-traffic zones first. If you can reclaim the coffee table, you’ve already won a major victory.

Assess Your Inventory: The Decoration Purge

Taking down the decorations is arguably the most depressing part of the year. It’s the official signal that the fun is over. But it’s also the perfect time for some inventory management.

As you pack away the baubles and lights, actually look at them. Do you even like that creepy elf ornament your Great Aunt gave you in 2012? Is that string of lights half-dead? If you didn’t put it up this year, or if you put it up out of guilt, get rid of it. Don’t store things that make you miserable. This is operation declutter, toss it out if it’s not being used.

Also, clean your artificial tree before you shove it back in the box. Wipe it down. It’s a small post-holiday win future you will thank Present you for not leaving a year’s worth of dust on it.

The “One-In, One-Out” Rule is Your New Declutter Religion

This is essential for gamers and collectors, but it applies to everyone. If you acquired new loot during the holidays, some old loot has to go. You got a shiny new headset? great. Donate the old one or recycle it. Don’t just throw it in a “tech graveyard” drawer.

This applies heavily to kids’ toys too. If the playroom is exploding, make a game out of it. For every new toy that enters the rotation, an old one gets donated to a better cause. It keeps the clutter level neutral and stops your home from becoming an episode of Hoarders.

Don’t Forget the Digital Detox

We focus so much on physical trash that we ignore the digital garbage piling up. Your phone is probably 90% full of blurry photos of the dog wearing reindeer antlers. Delete the duplicates. You only need one good shot for the ‘Gram.

And check your email. You probably signed up for twelve different mailing lists just to get a 5% discount on gifts. Unsubscribe. Ruthlessly. You do not need daily emails from a candle company. A huge part of the declutter post holiday mission is clearing your headspace, and an empty inbox helps more than you think.

Reset, Don’t Spiral

Post-holiday clutter can feel overwhelming but remember that decluttering doesn’t have to happen all at once. Focus on progress over perfection, tackle one small area at a time, and permit yourself to take breaks when you need them. The goal isn’t a magazine-perfect home—it’s a calmer space that helps you ease into the new year feeling lighter and more in control.