As 2016 comes to a close, it’s time to start thinking about your goals for next year. If you are like many 
people, you’re probably thinking about losing weight or getting healthier, getting out of debt and saving money, and getting organized so you can live a better, less stressful life.
While all of those goals are worthwhile, for most people, setting too many resolutions is little more than a recipe for failure. When you’re trying to do too much as once, it’s easy to become overwhelmed or frustrated, and lose sight of what you are trying to accomplish.
That being said, though, there is one resolution you can make that will help you meet all of those goals, and then some: decluttering. When you clear the clutter from your home and get rid of the things that you no longer need or want, you make space for the more important things — and enjoy a few unexpected benefits in the process.
Decluttering Helps Your Health
It’s a fact: Organizing your home and getting rid of unnecessary items can actually help you be healthier. Multiple studies have found links between excess clutter and stress, anxiety, and depression, but it can also play a role in weight management and other chronic conditions. For example, researchers have found that those who live in cluttered homes are:
Less likely to exercise. If you have to search for your workout gear, or you don’t have space to exercise — or your exercise equipment has become a clothing storage rack — you are less likely to work out.
Less likely to follow a healthy diet. You want to bring a healthy lunch to work, but you’re too busy scrambling to find everything you need for the day to put one together. Your kitchen is so overstuffed with “stuff” that cooking is a chore, so you order takeout or eat mostly convenience foods, and so on and so forth. When you have a well-organized kitchen focused on the necessities, it’s easier to eat healthy meals.
More stressed. Again, think of your morning routine. Are you constantly searching for shoes, backpacks, keys, and other items in mountains of clutter? Studies show that it’s harder to relax when you are surrounded by stuff, especially at nighttime, so if your home is cluttered, there’s a good chance that you aren’t relaxing.
More affected by allergies. Clutter attracts dust, and dust can exacerbate asthma and other breathing problems.
By clearing out extra stuff, you make it easier to follow a healthy lifestyle, which often leads to weight loss, lower blood pressure, better sleep, and better overall health.
Decluttering Saves You Money
The most obvious way that decluttering can improve your financial bottom line is through selling your stuff. Selling unwanted items online, through a consignment shop, or in a garage sale can put a hefty chunk of change in your pocket. Even if you opt to donate items, especially big ticket items like cars and boats, you can save money on your tax bill, which puts cash in your pocket. Some organizations even offer incentives for donations, such as free vacations for donating your unused, old boat, which allows you to have a nice getaway without spending a lot.
However, decluttering can also save you money when it’s easy to find things you are looking for. How many times have you had to replace something you purchased because you can’t find it in the clutter? Spending the time to reorganize can help you get a better idea of what you already have, preventing unnecessary duplication of purchases. Altogether, getting control of your stuff can help you save – and even make – more money.
Getting Started
While you might be tempted to run to the store and stock up on bins and organizers before you get started, stop. Experts note that decluttering isn’t about putting things into boxes and baskets and bins. While organizing the items you wish to keep is useful, it’s better to first go room by room and determine what you want to keep and what needs to go, and then determine the best way to arrange the keepers.
It’s also a good idea to approach the project in phases, and not try to overhaul your home all at once. Start small; you can accomplish a lot by committing to 20-30-minute organizing sessions every day. Choose part of your home to tackle first, and then move through the rest of the place until you’ve done everything. When you do, you’ll not only feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving your goals, but will be healthier and on track to better money management in 2017.