At the close of each year I go through a huge home detox. Part of this is due to the fact that we live in a small 1938 farmhouse, but also partly due to the fact that I realized it changes the amount of stress and chaos in the home.

So, before the holidays, the great purge occurs.

The first few weeks I do a grab and go laundry basket of 20 items each day. This can be trash or donations, but 20 things have to get out of the house. I move from room to room each day. Then just before Thanksgiving I switch gears from tossing things out- to deep cleaning. Then as guests or major cooking begins, the house is done… no more thought goes into it. This lightens the stress load tremendously.

So, take some time before the big rush, and minimize the clutter in your home. You won’t regret it!

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