New Year, Cleaner Home: Resetting Your Space After the Holidays (with Pets)
Welcome to the new year! The change from the holidays to January can be a tough one. There’s all those decorations to put away and pesky resolutions to assess. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to be better. Don’t panic!
Whether you are someone who dives into resolutions or someone who leaves it to fate, there is no better time to focus on what you can and can’t control. If you aren’t sure what to do with the new year energy, might we suggest resetting your space after the holidays? Especially if you have pets, the post-holiday tidy-up haste is real.
I love to use this quieter yet buzzier time to go through my belongings, declutter, and refocus with a deep clean. We oftentimes can bite off more than we can chew in the new year, so it is important to start small. It’s time to clean up and get ready for the year ahead with a post-holiday reset!
First Thing’s First: Assess Your Vision
Is the goal to clean up the minimum amount to keep you satisfied and grounded in your space? We can lose sight of our home during the holidays. Maybe you weren’t home much or maybe your home was the gathering spot for many. Either way, there might be some piles and corners you are avoiding. This is especially true if you have a pet or pet visitors. What’s under the couch: hair, toys, other mysteries?
If, like me, you love to use this time to declutter, maybe identify a certain room, closet, or drawer that could use your attention. Odds are, the whole house or basement is going to be too lofty of a goal and get you down when you inevitably run out of time and energy.
Start Small: Pet Goodies
When was the last time you and your pet did a tidy-up? More importantly, when’s the last time you washed and cleaned your pet’s beds and blankets? Stop what you’re doing and get a load of laundry going!
Take a moment with your furry friend to go through their toys. Anything on its last leg and due for retirement? Maybe, like my pup, there are some stinky bones or stuffed animal toys that are ready to be replaced. Our pets deserve to feel the rejuvenating joy of the new year, too!
Get Tidy, Even Where You Can’t See
If you’re feeling brave, a deep clean of your space can be just the restart your household needs to feel the renewal of this time of year. As the days get longer, so does the hustle and bustle. Before time slips away, maybe it’s time for a refreshening.
Remember the under-the-couch clutter and mysterious corners I mentioned? Now is a great time to dig out some pet hair from those more neglected spaces. Maybe under your couch cushions or in the back of your car finds itself caked with fur. Treat yourself to the Lilly Mini Blade! This will help you simplify your cleaning routine for a more attainable, consistent clean to maintain throughout the year.
Less Waste: As Good a Goal as Any!
Buy nice or buy twice. We can likely all stand to be less wasteful in 2026! That is why it is time to turn in wasteful single-use products like lint rollers for those outlined in How to De-Fur and De-Hair Your Winter Fabrics. It is an ongoing journey, but buying and wasting less is likely something we could all benefit from! The planet and our wallets will thank us.
Do What You Need to Have a Great Year
This time of year can bring a lot of judgement instead of reflection, letdown of the holiday season being behind us, and pressure resulting in paralysis rather than motivation. Let the first few months of January be what you need.
Maybe more rest and reset is what is in order, or maybe you’re feeling energized and inspired. Don’t let the external pressures of the new year dictate what the next few months hold for you. Do what you need to do to have a great year for all your family members, furry ones included!
