Is it possible that we are already five days into the new year? Seems just like yesterday we were stressed over all the Y2K hoopla that never materialized. I know a few people who are still holding on to freeze-dried mac and cheese they bought to sustain themselves through the millennium. Eighteen years later, I think it is time to let it go.

Speaking of letting go, this is the time of year I look forward to de-cluttering every area of our home, from kitchen drawers to the walk-in attic. I have always been “a place for everything and everything in its place” kind of organizer. Messes make me uncomfortable. Knowing I will be spending time in the home of a hoarder pert near brings on a panic attack. Yet, I have family members and friends who tend to live on the opposite end of the clutter scale. Several of them are resigned to their lifestyles, while others continually dream of streamlining their surroundings. Whether it is your own home, or the home of the person you care for that is out of control with stuff, here are some ideas to help you achieve and maintain a peaceful ambiance.

First, and most importantly, stop acquiring stuff you do not need. If you know you can’t pass up the seventy percent off sale on cookware – although you already have a cabinet full of pots and pans you never use – do not set a foot in the store.

Second, make an honest evaluation of your surroundings. Chronic hoarding has been identified as “having rooms in a home which have become unusable for their intended purpose.” For example, if you cannot eat at your dining table because it is stacked with magazines, groceries you have not had a chance to put away, and laundry that needs to be folded, tackle this small area as a symbol of what order can look like.

Next, when deciding what to keep and what should be removed, ask these questions developed by Satwant Singh, a cognitive behavioral therapist who works with hoarders:

“When was the last time I needed it? When was the last time I used it? How likely is it that I will use it in the future? What is my track record of using items like this? What is the impact of keeping the things in relation to my problem?”

Taking before and after photos is a good way to keep track of your progress. Set a reasonable goal, design a schedule that works for you, and promise yourself a reward when you have accomplished your task. You may want to invite friends over for a home-cooked meal around the dining table – a simple pleasure the previous clutter may have prevented you from planning.

Professional organizers often suggest dividing all the stuff you decide to discard into three groups: sell, give away, and throw away. Large items such as furniture can be advertised in the newspaper. If you have lots of usable and decorative items, a yard sale may be the best choice (although this can be labor intensive). Any charity with a thrift store will gladly accept articles in good condition. If it is broken, worn-out, obsolete, or just disgusting, do the right thing – put it in the trash or recycling if that is an option.

The beginning of a new year is a good time to put things around us in order. Initially, it can be a chore, but the resulting calm atmosphere will be beneficial to you and your loved ones.