As we welcome 2020 (still sounds like it’s a date from a science fiction novel), I’m sure many of you have done what we all do in January of a new year: the exciting/dreaded New Year’s resolutions.

There will be resolutions about healthy eating, saving money, slowing down, etc.

We all know the odds are stacked against us, as research shows only about 10 percent maintain their resolutions past March, but we do it anyway.

I, too, have made resolutions and I wanted to share one of them with you.

Confession: I have a tendency to clutter.

I realized throughout my personal and professional life there are at least two types of people.: Those who have a clear desk with files and a place for everything and those (like me) who have a messy desk and their organization methods include stacks and piles.

Research shows clutter reduces your brain’s ability to focus. So while I think I’m fine with my stacks of papers, I have realized my brain does not actually like them and it could be affecting my ability to focus and complete tasks.

This year my resolution was to start to declutter. This includes physical things but also to try slowing my brain down and reduce the clutter in there.

Mental clutter can include the to-do lists, family commitments, emails and unfinished projects at work.

Like everybody, I wear numerous hats, and often times, I am required to wear multiple hats at one time: mom, wife, daughter, employee, neighbor, church member and more.

All of the mental and physical clutter can weigh you down and cause you to be tired, disorganized and less efficient.

By reducing the physical and mental clutter, I’m hoping to be the best me I can be while wearing all those hats.

Here are a few tips on how I plan to keep this resolution and declutter.

— Begin small. If you try to redo everything at once you will be overwhelmed and probably give up.

Knowing where to begin is the key. Choose one place or area to begin in your home — one drawer, one room or one pile of mail. Just focus on that spot and don’t worry that it doesn’t look like you’re making progress. Often, things have to look worse before they can get better.

— Make a home for everything. When you begin, designate a place for each item adding to the clutter.

Have a place for incoming mail and a time to go through the pile. Put all non-essential mail you plan to look at later in a separate location.

Share information on where things belong with family members. Build in success for small children and other family members by providing containers or designated places where things belong.

— Purge regularly. “When in doubt, throw it out.” This could include outdated food, medicines and out-grown or unused clothes and toys.

Recycle when you can and donate items others may find useful.

After Christmas, I went through all the kids toys and took three trips to CC’s Closet to donate.

Make a plan to only handle things once if possible.

When you have a place for each item, practice putting things where they belong; act on items if needed, file immediately if something needs to be kept and dispose unnecessary items.

— Give your mind a thorough cleanse. Letting go of the small stuff is more than a cute phrase.

When you purposefully choose to let go of things out of your control, you make room for improved relationships and less stress.

— Make sure you understand your limits. Many of us want to help and do for others, but if adding that to your plate will make it tip over, learn to say, “I wish I could help but right now by plate is full.” Most folks will respect your honesty.

By drawing that boundary you are allowing yourself the time and energy to be the better you.

For more information and tips on decluttering, physically and mentally, contact the Clark County Extension Office.

Happy New Year, and good luck with all those resolutions.

Shonda Johnston is the Clark County Extension agent for family and consumer sciences. She can be reached at 859-744-4682 or by email at shonda.johnston@uky.edu.