School Holiday Home Edit: 3 easy steps to reboot the energy in your space and style
Your quick Winter guide to ditching stale stuff and making room for what truly sparks joy
Moving house? Unpacking from a renovation or just drowning in accumulated stuff these holidays?
If you’re surrounded by boxes (and overwhelmed by the knick-knacks residing inside them) or side-eyeing that artwork you impulsively bought in Bali a few years back—take a deep breath. You’re not alone.
Sometimes we all need a gentle (or not-so-gentle) nudge to reset our homes so they feel good, and feel like us. As we grow, our style refines and matures—and I believe our homes should evolve right alongside us. We don’t need to keep things just because they’ve always been there, or throw things out just because someone else deemed it ‘dated’... Intentionality and Authenticity is the name of the game here!
Yes, it means carving out dedicated time (and no, it’s not always the most glamorous job), but the rewards? Clarity in your decorating plan, calmness in your evolving style and a feeling of being content in a space that genuinely supports and energises you.
Think of it as putting in the hard yards now for a lighter, brighter, more “you” home later.
So if you’re nodding along (but still feeling overwhelmed by the idea of actually actioning it) here’s a simple 3-step guide to help you reset and refresh your space — or at the very least, get your mind on board for a much-needed reboot!
Step 1: Recognise The Energy Of Your Stuff
Every piece in your home carries energy—yes, even that lovely-but-sooo-not-you birthday gift kitsch farmhouse jug you’ve been hiding in the back of the cupboard for nine years…
Ask: Is this really me now, or am I just keeping it out of habit?
Think:
The clothes in your cupboard — do they make you feel good and reflect your current style, or a version of you from five or 10 years ago?
The art on your walls — does it still inspire and excite you, or do you barely notice it anymore? Can you move it around to spark fresh energy in a different room or location?
The knick-knacks, cushions, bed linen — do they feel fresh and inviting, or stale and flat?
Think of your home as alive and evolving, just like you. Keep moving, tweaking, and playing — it’s the best way to keep the energy fresh and your bond with your space strong. Take three days or three years… there are no rules!
Step 2: Declutter by Category, Not by Room
Rather than bouncing from bookshelf to bathroom, tackle that to-do list in categories: all shoes (as in each family member’s shoes), all linens, all artwork, etc.
This way, you stay focused on a single thread of intel, avoid overwhelm by looking at a room as a ‘whole’, and there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing a single category shrink (I just did the shoe boxes - who knew 10 caterpillars lived here?!)
Ask: How can I make this feel easier and more doable right now?
Think:
Which category feels the lightest or easiest to start with today?
What area would make the biggest impact if I tackled it first?
Which category will give me a quick win to build momentum?
Step 3: The “Release, Neutral, Love” Test
This is a great step if you’re short on time (especially when the thought of physically sorting and hauling things away stops you before you even start). By doing this mental edit first, you’re lightening the load before you touch a single drawer.
Once you’ve decided what stays and what goes, actually actioning it will feel like a breeze the moment you snag that free weekend day.
And remember, you’re not just getting rid of things; you’re creating space for pieces that genuinely feel like you. It’s less about minimalism and more about intentionality—choosing what stays so your home supports the person you’re becoming.
Ask: Does this deserve a place in my future, or do i need to release it to create space for the right thing to come in?
Think:
RELEASE: It annoys you, you avoid using it, or it makes you cringe. Out it goes—donate, sell, or gift to someone who’ll truly appreciate it.
NEUTRAL: It’s the functional and practical pieces, or, its functional but not quite ‘you’ anymore. It can stay for now, but you’ll be on the lookout for something that feels more aligned when budget permits.
LOVE: It lights you up, supports your life, or just makes your space sing, no matter how small or insignificant it may be to others. It stays.
Start with easy wins—like that random souvenir mug collection—and build from there. Once you experience the freedom of letting go, it gets easier to release bigger, more sentimental things.
Final thoughts
Don’t worry—this doesn’t need to turn into a quarterly ritual! A thoughtful, intentional edit every few years is more than enough to keep your home feeling fresh, supportive, and totally you.
Here’s to spaces that feel as good as they look—and to not being buried under a mountain of “just because” stuff.
May the force of NRL game highlights and Bluey be with you (I mean the kids) these school holidays…
Happy editing!
👉 Want a little extra help with Step #3? Get my free checklist here to help you identify which items you love, and which you’re ready to let go of!