The month of March in Canada means cabin fever is at its peak. Some fortunate families have escaped to warmer, greener climes or ski slopes during this week’s school holiday, but what about those of us who can’t? How can we find contentment in our own space?

A better question might be: from what are we trying to escape? It’s probably not just the winter weather.

I’ll tell you a quick story. Our little family welcomed the new year by renting a cottage in the country for two days – the perfect respite after a busy Christmas. This is bliss, I thought as I vegged on the cozy couch by a gas fireplace, in front of Netflix, with my bag of Cheetos and assorted holiday chocolates (that’s me living large these days). I had ample time to read and play with my DSLR camera, and I felt re-charged.

It was only when we returned home to stuffed kitchen cupboards, and our frightful laundry/storage situation, that I understood what I’d experienced: the sheer relief of being away from clutter.

When you think about it, simplicity is a hallmark of all the best holiday accommodations and the most restful vacations (unless you’re highly extroverted and can comfortably handle a lot of stimuli).

You’d probably hesitate to book a cottage or resort suite that looks untidy in photos, regardless of its amenities. Clutter can suggest uncleanliness, and it’s also a pain. (Who wants to trigger an avalanche in an unfamiliar kitchen when all you need is a grater – or a big bowl for Cheetos?)

Most importantly, clutter can make us feel unsettled and moody. A ton has been written about the psychological effect of clutter, and the positive results of de-cluttering our spaces: the feeling of having more control over our lives, and more free time, as well as the ability to relax and be more creative and productive. Interestingly, those are the same feelings I have while I’m on holiday.

Until Jey and I eventually move into the condo we’ve purchased, we’re looking for every opportunity to minimize our possessions, keeping only what we absolutely need and adore. This isn’t just because we’ll have less space at the condo; we really want to live with less.

What this translates to is less to tidy, store and maintain…and more time for what makes us deeply happy (no vacation required!).

I think many of us have the habit of looking forward to “the next great thing” that will bring us happiness, when we could be giving ourselves the incredible everyday gift of finding simplicity and satisfaction in our own homes. Reading that new novel while cozied up in a ski chalet might sound ideal, but what if you also had the time and space to truly indulge in books at home?

Of course, de-cluttering is only one aspect of creating a restful and inspiring living space (see this Reader’s Digest article I recently bookmarked for myself, titled “The Homes of Happy People Have These 13 Things in Common”), but it’s the most logical and effective place to start.

Jey’s and my personal experience with de-cluttering allows me to offer a few suggestions to help you stay kind to yourself – the most important of which is to start with what you can see. The next step is to tackle just one small space, or drawer, or cupboard, or box daily (or weekly).

Below is the order in which we tackled our first-ever mega de-cluttering project, with great results:

The kitchen.

We’re always in the kitchen. We know what we use, and what we don’t. Think about your loftiest cooking projects. What have you never used in the past 1-2 years when you’ve hosted friends and family, or when you’ve baked for the office potluck? Donating or selling these items will do wonders to speed up your efficiency at meal times.

Reward: Crank some reggae and cook a tropical-themed meal in your newly de-cluttered kitchen.

Photo via Visual hunt

The bathroom.

Keep only your favourite products and responsibly discard the rest. My philosophy is that if a product hasn’t been used in 2 months, it’s not a favourite. Just imagine having space between shampoo bottles in the cupboard!

Last year, we donated new toothbrushes and travel-sized toothpastes—freebies from our dentist—and unopened bars of soap to a local shelter. I offered opened bottles of shampoo to friends, and then rinsed/recycled the packaging of any remaining products.

(As a sidebar, products that contain microbeads should be poured into the garbage. This is better than flushing the microbeads down the drain and having them enter the water system, where they’ve been shown to destroy marine life. I’m strongly in favour of boycotting all products containing microbeads.)

Any medications that have expired and that aren’t being used should be returned to your nearest pharmacy for safe disposal.

Reward: Complement your tidy bathroom with a scented candle that reminds you of summertime.

The living/dining room.

I found that clearing cupboards in the kitchen and bathroom was relatively easy, compared to reducing items that have long been part of our décor. Having an active, toy-slinging toddler put it all in perspective. I immediately recognized which items I’d be upset to have ruined, and what I didn’t care so much about.

Here’s the thing: we babyproofed and, apart from the items I absolutely love and that hold special meaning, I couldn’t even tell you what we packed away. The fact that I can’t remember is a sign we can live without those things permanently. Try packing away a few items at a time, and see if you notice their absence.

Reward: Dress up a table or two with fresh blooms. Host friends for afternoon tea or coffee.

Photo via Visualhunt

The bedroom.

If your bedroom is tidy, I admire your priorities! I find it easy to let it become a dumping ground for stuff that needs sorting. If you can relate, start with what you can see – not including the closet. What feels out of place? What doesn’t represent who you are right now? What’s just “stuff” that you’ve delayed dealing with? Next, tackle drawers and other small storage.

I think the closet is such a big task on its own that it can wait until you feel pleased with your other de-cluttering achievements. I can’t over-emphasize how important it is to be kind to yourself during this process.

Reward: Grab your favourite blanket and pillows, and commit to reading here at least one night a week.

Photo via Visual hunt

The office.

Jey and I tossed every stray piece of paper into a file box and sorted through it over the span of 2 weeks. We put each paper into one of 3 piles: file, recycle or shred (shreddings are then recycled). We also reduced the bulk of our existing file folders. If you’re in a similar situation and are able to do this much before tackling other items in the office, you’ll feel so much better!

Reward: Choose some recent photos to print and display over your work space.

The basement.

This has been the most difficult space for Jey and I to tackle. The laundry room/crawlspace is home to an excess of tools and boxes (many containing remnants of our university years and wedding planning, for example). This is still a work in progress but we don’t mind returning to it, now that we’ve got the rest of our house under control. I’ll be writing a separate post about this project, as it deals with the task of sorting and safely storing sentimental items.

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When we’re attuned to the idea of minimizing our possessions, the seasons of life literally give us an excuse to de-clutter! If a getaway isn’t possible this year, perhaps you can think of it as an opportunity to make peace with your own space. Give yourself the gift of de-cluttering, one step at a time, and reward yourself for every small success.