Simple ways to feel lighter before the holidays
- Alyssa Mosher
- Nov 18
- 3 min read
As the holidays inch closer — the gatherings, the travel plans, the winter gear dusted off again — many people start feeling a slow, creeping heaviness at home. Not necessarily cluttered, just… full. Full of stuff, tasks, expectations, and the pressure to make the season magical.
Making all of that — including your home — feel lighter doesn’t have to involve a major decluttering marathon or buying new organizing systems. In fact, some of the most impactful shifts come from the smallest, simplest resets — the kind that take five or 15 minutes, not a whole afternoon.
Here are two easy ways to reset your space (and your mind!) before the holidays arrive.
1. A 15-minute pantry reset
Holiday cooking, baking, and drop-ins from friends all tend to revolve around the pantry. And because of that, it’s one of the fastest spaces to get overwhelmed — or to lighten up.
A quick, intentional pantry reset can help you:
See what ingredients you already have
Reduce last-minute impulse purchases
Make room for holiday recipes
Avoid food waste during a season where so much gets thrown out
"Small resets are a beautiful way to practice gratitude."
Here’s a simple approach:
Set a timer for 15 minutes.
Scan for anything expired or stale.
Group like-with-like so you can spot duplicates.
Combine open bags or boxes of the same item.
Donate unopened pantry items you won’t use before the new year.
Even this tiny reset gives you clarity — and saves you money — before the busyness kicks into high gear.
2. The catch-all basket reset
Every home has one (or maybe two?): the basket, drawer, or bowl that becomes a landing zone for every random thing that doesn’t have a home. Keys, charging cords, receipts, dog treats, hair ties, half-used lip balms… you name it.
Because these spaces are small, they fill up quickly — and once they’re full, they instantly make a room feel more chaotic.
Here’s a fast reset you can do today:
Empty the entire basket onto a flat surface.
Put back only the items you genuinely need easy access to right now.
Relocate anything that belongs elsewhere.
Recycle or donate anything that no longer serves you.
This mini declutter gives your brain a surprising amount of relief. One clear basket can shift the energy of a whole entryway, kitchen counter, or bedside table.
A sustainable approach to holiday prep
The holidays can come with a lot of pressure to buy more — décor, containers, organizers, outfits, gifts. But small resets are most impactful when they’re rooted in sustainability and simplicity.
A few gentle reminders:
Reuse what you have first. A jar, a shoebox, a leftover basket — they all work.
Shop secondhand when possible. It keeps items out of the landfill and often leads to better-quality finds.
Choose intention over accumulation. Your space (and your mind!) will feel lighter.
You don’t need a picture-perfect home to enjoy the season — just one that supports you.
A gratitude lens for your home
One simple question can shift the entire process:
"What can I release?"
"What do I want to carry forward into the holidays?"
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating a home that feels calmer, kinder, and more supportive as winter slows everything down.
Small resets are a beautiful way to practice gratitude for the home you have — and to make space for the things that truly matter in the weeks ahead.
Need support as the holidays get closer?
If your space is feeling heavy or hard to manage this time of year, you’re not alone. A small refresh or an extra set of hands can make an enormous difference.
If you’re craving a home that feels lighter, calmer, and easier to move through, I’m here anytime.
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