The new year is a great opportunity to have a fresh start. From getting organized and preparing healthy snacks to getting active or even learning a new activity or sport, there are fun ways to seize the new year without feeling overwhelmed by not having a new year’s resolution. We share some practical ways and activities to start off the new year “fresh.”
GET ORGANIZED
As we chatted through our goals for the year with our husbands, one of the things they both said they wanted was an organizer for our master closets. While we had a great space, we had too much stuff. My husband even tried to build a double decker closet at one point to try and give us more room. Shoe racks were stacked on top of each other. Clothes were crammed on the rack, making it difficult to find outfits, and often clothing would pile up on the floor.
We were so excited to find Modular Closets. Modular Closets are DIY mix and match closet units for any space in your home that needs organization from the bedroom closet to the mudroom, kitchen pantry and everything in between. You can design your closet on their website or you can work with a designer to help you design your closet. We both loved having the personal designer create our closets. Our husbands even enjoyed giving input to the process. The designers are even available while you install if you have questions.
The Modular Closets units are made from top-grade and high-density wood, and last a lifetime. We liked that because the closet units are modular, each unit can stand by itself, which makes it the strongest and most sturdy closet system available. We also appreciate that Modular Closet’s unique and patented modular system allows you to customize your closet for any budget, giving you the high-end custom closet look for a fraction of the cost of similar closet systems.
Once we got our closets installed, it was a great opportunity to go through our clothing and other items and declutter. When you can see everything at a glance, it also makes it easier to get rid of items that you don’t wear as often. Having a space for each item helps motivate you to keep it all organized.
GET ACTIVE
This year, 50% of Americans listed weight loss as one of their top New Year’s resolution goals. But the reality is that only 8% will achieve any of their New Year’s resolutions. What’s most important is that you start, and stay active as much as possible.
We turn to Macy’s for all our fitness needs. From workout outfits to sneakers, they have a great selection of clothes, and shoes, that are comfy and can handle the sweat. Plus they carry some of our favorite brands including Nike, Adidas, Ideology, Calvin Klein.
Macy’s has an amazing selection of workout gear and equipment. We love all the options from the Lomi Fitness Collection, there are options for the core, stretching, yoga, weights and more. If you’re looking for something that upgrade your routine, have you seen the Echelon Reflect Touch Connect Fitness Mirror? This might be just the motivating addition needed to help you achieve your goals or follow through with resolutions.
And when it comes to getting kids active, we want to make it fun! With the Winter Olympics this February we had to outfit the kiddos in Polo Team USA gear and grab the Franklin NHL Mini Hockey Light Up Goal Set to not only get into the Olympic spirit but have a little healthy competition as we learn about one of the main events, afterall the Women’s Ice Hockey team will be defending a gold medal.
And so much talk surrounding Super Bowl that the family loves playing the sport well into the night thanks to the Cipton LED Light Up Football Kit. There are so many fun athletic options at Macy’s.
GET THE TEAM INVOLVED
Staying organized often falls on the parents. But when we chatted with Christina from the Modular Closets team, she shared some great tips on how to teach the kids how to be organized. One of my favorite tips was using labels with pictures for their toy bins. So having a picture of trains for the bin that all the trains go in or having a picture of Duplos for where all the Duplos go. Then when it is time to clean up, they can match the toy to the picture. We try to “beat the clock” when we clean up and then if all have teamwork and get the playroom clean together then we can get a special snack.
Rather than just give toys away, Christina suggested having the kids be a part of the process if possible. She said it is great to do it 3-4 weeks before a birthday, Christmas and any other holiday where they might receive toys. Have them pick out a handful of toys to give to children in need and remind them that they will be getting some new toys soon too. We also rotate our toys and when I notice that a toy is not being requested or played with, we use it as an opportunity to pass it on to a friend or cousin that might enjoy it more.
Another way to help get the team involved is with the paperwork and artwork that gets accumulated. I have a folder where I collect each child’s work and then at the end of the quarter or semester we do an edit. It is fun to look at their work together. We pick out a few of their items to go in their special scrapbook, we pick out a few pieces to share with grandma and then anything that does not have special or sentimental value gets recycled. The final product is a decluttered school area and a great memory book of their work. My kids love showing their books off to relatives when they come over too.
