40 Ways to Start the New Year With a Clean Slate

The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to wipe the slate clean and embrace a fresh beginning with a positive mindset and new energy.

Whether you want to simplify your surroundings, refine your routines, or set inspiring goals, taking intentional actions can help you feel more organized, motivated, and ready for what lies ahead.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up practical and empowering ideas across categories like home, digital spaces, personal appearance, and goal-setting. Each of these steps is designed to help you reset and start the year with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Let’s dive into the ultimate clean slate strategies and start the year on a positive note!

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Organize Your Home for the New Year

Wash Your Bedding

Start the year fresh by laundering all your bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and mattress protectors. Clean bedding promotes better sleep and sets the tone for a restful, rejuvenated mindset.

If you need to, purchase new sheets and I highly recommend trying satin pillowcases.

Declutter Your Wardrobe

Sort through your clothes and remove anything that no longer fits, suits your style, or hasn’t been worn in the past year. Donate gently used items to charity or sell them for extra cash. A streamlined wardrobe makes getting dressed easier and more enjoyable.

If you want to make sure your clothes don’t end up in a landfill, Trashie’s Take Back Bag program makes sure textiles are properly recycled, then even have take back boxes for cords, phones, and laptops.

Organize Your Closet and Dressers

Arrange your clothing by type or season to create a more functional and visually appealing space. Use dividers or organizers to maximize drawer space and keep everything accessible. A tidy closet helps you start your day with less stress and more clarity.

If you need inspiration, look on Pinterest for closet organization ideas!

Declutter Your Beauty and Hygiene Items

Go through your makeup, skincare, and hygiene products, tossing expired or unused items. Wipe down containers and organize them in bins or trays for easy access. This small act refreshes your routine and creates a clean, inspiring space for self-care.

Try drawer organizers to keep your items tidy.

Deep Clean the Bathroom

Scrub the tub, toilet, sink, and tiles to make your bathroom shine like new. Don’t forget to clean mirrors, light fixtures, and any nooks where dust or grime collects. A sparkling bathroom sets a high standard for cleanliness and comfort in your home.

Clean Out the Fridge and Pantry

Dispose of expired or stale food and wipe down shelves to keep your fridge and pantry fresh. Organize items by category or frequency of use, and consider adding labels or bins. A clean, well-stocked kitchen makes meal prep and healthy eating much easier.

Declutter Kitchen Utensils and Gadgets

Sort through drawers and cabinets to eliminate duplicates or tools you rarely use. Donate or recycle items in good condition and organize the rest for easy access. A simplified kitchen boosts efficiency and creates more space for creativity while cooking.

Clean the Junk Drawer

Empty the drawer completely, tossing out trash and rehoming items that don’t belong there. Use small organizers or dividers to keep essentials like batteries, scissors, or spare keys tidy. A clutter-free junk drawer makes your home feel instantly more put-together.

Deep Clean the Floors and Baseboards

Vacuum and mop floors thoroughly, including beneath furniture and in corners. Use a damp cloth or cleaning solution to wipe down baseboards, removing built-up dust and grime. This often-overlooked task leaves your home feeling truly refreshed and polished.

Reorganize Your Living Room

Move furniture to improve the flow of the space and create a more inviting atmosphere. Declutter surfaces, tidy bookshelves, and refresh the arrangement of decorative items. A thoughtfully reorganized living room makes it the perfect spot to relax and recharge.

Refresh Your Decor

Swap out old throw pillows, blankets, or artwork for fresh, seasonal pieces. Incorporate elements like plants or candles to bring warmth and life to your space. Small changes in decor can dramatically uplift your home’s ambiance without a major overhaul.

Clean Your Car Inside and Out

Vacuum the seats and carpets, wipe down surfaces, and remove trash or clutter from your car. Wash the exterior and add a new air freshener for a complete reset. A clean car makes every drive feel more enjoyable and helps you start the year on the right foot.

Organize Your Workspace

Clear your desk of unnecessary items and file away stray papers to create a clean, productive environment. Arrange your supplies in organizers or storage bins, and add a touch of inspiration, like a motivational quote or small plant. An orderly workspace sets the stage for focus and success and helps you feel more excited to work there.

Declutter Your Digital Space

Clean Out Your Inbox

Start the year with a decluttered email inbox by deleting old messages and archiving important ones. Use filters and folders to better organize incoming emails and ensure nothing gets lost. A clean inbox reduces overwhelm and keeps you on top of communication.

Update Passwords

Protect your digital life by updating your passwords to stronger, unique combinations for each account. Use a password manager to keep them organized and secure. Regular updates enhance security and give you peace of mind.

Unsubscribe from Newsletters

Take a few minutes to unsubscribe from newsletters or mailing lists that no longer serve you. Streamlining your inbox ensures you only receive content that’s meaningful and relevant.

Unfollow Social Media Accounts

Audit your social media and unfollow accounts that don’t inspire, educate, or uplift you. Curating your feed helps promote positivity and aligns your online space with your goals. A refreshed feed can improve your mental well-being and focus.

Backup Your Files

Create a backup of your important files, photos, and documents to an external drive or cloud storage. This simple habit protects against accidental loss and keeps your data safe. Starting the year with a secure digital archive provides peace of mind.

I’ve had a Seagate external hard drive for years and it works great.

Delete Unused Apps

Go through your phone and laptop, uninstalling apps you no longer use or need. This frees up storage space and reduces digital clutter. A streamlined device makes it easier to focus on the tools that truly serve you.

Change Your Phone and Laptop Wallpapers

Refresh your tech by updating your wallpapers to something inspiring, calming, or seasonal. Choose images or designs that reflect your goals or bring joy. This small change can subtly boost your mood every time you look at your screen.

Clean Your Devices

Physically clean your phone, laptop, and other devices with safe cleaning products to remove dust, fingerprints, and grime. Don’t forget accessories like keyboards, mice, and cases. Clean devices not only look better but also function more effectively.

Reset Your Mindset and Get Inspired

Have a Funeral for Past Frustrations

Start the year with a clean emotional slate by saying goodbye to any situations that frustrated or hurt you in the past year. Write out a letter venting anything that’s been weighing on you, have a good cry or scream into a pillow, declare “I’m letting this go,” and then destroy it. Tear it to pieces and throw it away, or if you have a wood burning fireplace toss it in.

Set New Goals

Reflect on what you want to achieve in the year ahead and set clear, actionable goals. Break them down into smaller steps to make them manageable and realistic. Setting goals helps give your year direction and purpose.

Make a Plan for Your Goals

Once you’ve set your goals, create a detailed plan to work toward them, including deadlines and milestones. Use a planner, calendar, or app to track your progress and stay organized. A well-thought-out plan turns intentions into achievable outcomes.

Plan and achieve your goals with the New Year Align and Focus journal and planner, with 17 pages of activities to help you create your best year.

Adopt a New Habit

Choose a small, meaningful habit that aligns with your goals, like daily journaling or drinking more water. Use habit trackers or reminders to help it stick. Building positive habits creates lasting change over time.

Here are 50 Habits for Success.

Change Your Routines

Shake up your routines by trying a new morning or evening ritual that energizes or relaxes you. Incorporate activities like stretching, reading, or preparing for the day ahead. Changing routines helps you break out of autopilot and be more intentional with your time.

Here are 55 Ways to Refresh Your Routines.

Create a Vision or Inspiration Board

Gather images, quotes, and ideas that represent what you want to achieve or how you want to feel this year. Arrange them on a physical board or create a digital version as your desktop or phone wallpaper. A vision board keeps your aspirations front and center.

Learn How to Create a Vision Board That Works.

Choose a Mantra or Affirmation

Select a phrase that motivates or grounds you, such as “I am capable of amazing things” or “I choose progress over perfection.” Repeat it daily or display it somewhere visible. A mantra can boost your mindset and keep you focused on your goals.

Or, listen to affirmation audios frequently. Here is a great 10 minute audio for having a lucky day!

Create a Motivating Playlist

Compile a playlist of songs that uplift and energize you, whether for workouts, work, or relaxation. Add tracks that make you feel inspired or happy. A good playlist can be a powerful tool for staying motivated.

Read a Personal Development Book

Pick a book that aligns with your goals or helps you grow in a specific area, such as mindset, productivity, or relationships. Dedicate time each week to reading and applying what you learn. Personal development books can spark new ideas and fuel your growth. I highly recommend reading Atomic Habits or The Slight Edge.

12 Personal Development Books to Change Your Life

Start a Fitness Challenge

Commit to a challenge that excites you, such as a 30-day yoga practice, daily steps goal, or new workout routine. Track your progress and celebrate milestones along the way. Fitness challenges are a fun way to build consistency and boost your health.

Set a Fun Savings Goal

Set aside money for something exciting, like a vacation, concert tickets, or a new hobby. Use a visual tracker or savings app to keep it engaging. A fun savings goal gives you something to look forward to while building financial discipline.

Finish Tasks That Have Been on Your To-Do List

Tackle lingering tasks that have been weighing on your mind, whether it’s organizing paperwork or fixing something around the house. Start with one or two small items to build momentum. Completing these tasks clears mental clutter and creates a sense of accomplishment.

Refresh Your Appearance

Change or Freshen Up Your Hairstyle

A new haircut, color, or style can instantly boost your confidence and help you feel renewed. Whether it’s a bold transformation or a subtle refresh, updating your hairstyle is a fun way to start the year feeling your best.

Try a New Makeup Look

Experiment with a fresh makeup style, such as bold eyeliner, a new lipstick shade, or a glowing, natural look. Trying something different can be a creative way to express yourself and add excitement to your routine.

Exfoliate Your Skin Head to Toe

Give your skin a fresh start by exfoliating to remove dead skin cells and reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. Use gentle scrubs or exfoliating tools for both your face and body. This self-care ritual leaves you feeling pampered and refreshed.

My Glass Foot File has been a real game changer for soft feet.

Upgrade Your Skincare Routine

Evaluate your skincare products and add or replace items to better suit your needs, like a hydrating serum or SPF moisturizer. Focus on building a routine that addresses your goals for healthy, glowing skin. Investing in your skincare is an act of self-care that pays off every day. Here are a few of my skincare favorites:

• MAREE Glycolic Acid Pads
• Honeydew Labs Antibacterial Hypochlorous Acid Toning Spray
• Electric Face Scrubber

Refresh Your Closet and Style

Revamp your wardrobe by donating items you no longer wear and investing in versatile, timeless pieces. Experiment with new colors, accessories, or trends that align with your personal style. A refreshed closet inspires confidence and makes getting dressed more enjoyable.

Upgrade Your Accessories

Add a new statement piece like a jewelry, a watch, bag, or scarf to elevate your look. Even something simple like a new necklace or a pretty ring can make you feel excited to meet the world.

Take a Self Love Challenge

The best way to move into a new year with a positive mindset is to love yourself more. I have a free 5 day Self Love Challenge that will lead you through activities, including a meditation to help you love your body, that will help you leave behind feelings of lack and start the year feeling more confident.

Join the FREE Self-Love Challenge

I hope you found these ideas helpful, and have a fantastic New Year!