According to professional organizers, your birth month is more than just a time of celebration – you should capitalize on your birth month traits to perfect your decluttering.
Unconvinced? We were, too. But after delving into it with an astrologer, we're fully on board with this unusual, celestial approach to getting your home in order.
Here, we share how to make the most of any decluttering method by keeping your birth month and your related traits in mind.
How to use the traits of your birth month to declutter
January
According to Carmen Turner-Schott, who is an author and astrologer, if your birth month is January, you can harness related energy to take responsibility for things that need to be done in the home.
'You're a worker, and want to accomplish things,' she explains. 'Dedicated with a strong work ethic, you can harness this earthy, practical, and responsible energy to hold yourself accountable to declutter, and finish things you have been putting off. Tap into a desire for structure, commitment, and discipline to overcome procrastination.'
To use this tangibly, Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, advises, 'Treat decluttering like a project plan; to stay excited, declutter one room a week, and give yourself completion deadlines.' Using a to-do list, such as the Pen+Gear Desk Notepad available at Walmart, is a great way to get motivated to declutter and visually keep track of your progress.
Additionally, Scott recommends using clear labelled bins, such as the Sterilite Large Storage Bins available at Walmart, for this same reason.
February
If you're a February baby, 'get creative and think outside the box on how to declutter your space,' suggests Carmen. 'Open up the windows and let some fresh air in the house. Get whacky and eccentric on how you declutter your space.'
For this, we recommend decluttering techniques like the scavenger hunt method or the temptation method.
And, to get the most out of your streamlining session, says Scott, take advantage of the fact that you do your best when helping others.
'Donate things you haven't used in six months and think about who may need the items,' he advises. 'Let that emotional motivation get the job done,' collecting items in a storage basket, such as the Ornavo Home Rope Laundry Storage Basket available at QVC.
March
If you're born in March, think about what inspires you and use it to your advantage/
'Put on some of your favorite music, and light your best candles and incense to help inspire you,' says Carmen. 'Distracting yourself and zoning out while decluttering can help time fly by. Tap into your need for solitude by spending time alone when you declutter your space.'
If you're feeling ready to declutter but struggling for time, try micro-decluttering by setting a timer for 20 minutes, recommends Scott.
'And keep in mind that open baskets attract clutter; keep visible clutter down by only using opaque bins,' he says, such as the Cella Collapsible Storage Bins available at QVC, which conveniently fold flat for easy storage when not in use.
April
'This month's energy is fast and quick, so you won't want to spend hours rearranging things,' says Carmen. 'Start early in the morning and go, go, go until it's done!
'Tap into your energy and competitive approach by challenging other members of the family or household to chip in and help. Announce whoever cleans up first gets treated to dinner and drinks!'
We're doubtful there could be a better way to encourage your family to declutter and turn it into a family bonding activity. Using a chore tracker, such as the Weekly Planner Pad available at Amazon is a great way to keep on top of things.
Importantly, says Scott, those born in April are typically driven to action but impatient, so the "one-touch" tidying rule is ideal.
'Know that when you pick something up, you have an immediate choice to make,' he says. 'Use stackable bins for decision-making empowered decluttering.
The toddler method is great for tapping into your instinct and knowing immediately which of two items you like more and want to keep, while the fork method homes in on what is the most useful.
May
If you're born in May, chances are you love comfort, says Scott.
'Don't declutter to be a minimalist; declutter to have peace,' he suggests. 'Using underbed storage [such as the Periea Set Storage Boxes with Gliders available at QVC] to store seasonal items can help you maintain a comfy space.'
You can, however, adopt a minimalism exit strategy for clutter, and make use of decluttering strategies minimalists swear by.
June
People born in June tend to be social and sentimental, says Scott, which can make it difficult to declutter sentimental items. The problem, though, is that this will often leave you with a host of sentimental items that are simply wasting space.
'If it's hard for you to remove keepsakes, take a photograph of the items you want to part with,' he recommends. 'You won't feel so stressed, and your memories will be preserved without the mess.'
You can use an affordable flatbed Epsom printer from Amazon to easily digitize photos at high quality and resolution too.
July
July-born individuals are usually optimistic, generous, and determined, so, to tap into this energy, Scott suggests starting in small spaces and streamlining as a method of self-care.
'Re-organize all your scrapbooks, photo albums, and antiques that you just can’t part with,' recommends Carmen.
Using a special photo album, such as the Personalized Linen Hardcover Photo Album available at Etsy, is a gorgeous way to organize family photos without taking up too much space.
You can also declutter your beauty and hair products to make mornings easier.
August
As people born in August tend to be natural leaders, 'involve the whole family – delegate!' says Scott.
'Assign each family member a space to declutter and provide them with a color-coded basket to use,' which is a surefire way to get round decluttering when your family isn't on board. We recommend the Sorbus Fabric Storage Cubes available at Amazon for this.
'Involve your children in the cleaning and decluttering and have some fun doing it together,' adds Carmen.
September
'You've got a strong desire to have order,' says Scott. 'Use that desire to your advantage: make it a mission to create micro-zones in every room, like a phone charging drawer, or a mail tray.' Options like the Bavan Wicker Tray available at Wayfair combine style with functionality.
Then, you can pop loose items into these zones every day, which is one of the best ways to keep mess at bay.
October
October baby? 'Spending time with friends and having a party can inspire you to get those things done that you have been putting off for way too long,' advises Carmen.
Make decluttering fun by tapping into your artistic energy to move furniture and hang new pictures around the house. If you live in a rental property, you can use a Command Variety Pack available at Amazon for damage free hanging.
November
People born in November tend to be private yet intense, says Scott.
'You will like to declutter solo, at night, and in small increments of time,' he advises. 'Invest in a label maker [such as the Brother P-Touch Label Maker with Tape available at Walmart] and enjoy the control!'
December
'You're generous and busy,' says Scott. 'Pre-holiday is when you do your best purging. Use gift bags [such as the bagmad White Gift Paper Bags available at Amazon] as donation bags – fill the bags with older, unused items, and give them away for someone else to enjoy.'
This is a great way to make adopting the 'One in, one out' rule both stress and guilt-free. If you're feeling particularly generous, the '1 in 10 out' decluttering rule is brilliant for collecting items for gifting throughout the year.
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This woven basket makes storage stylish, and is available in four different colorways.
These storage boxes come in a pack of two, and feature an opening on both sides for easy access to your belongings.
Keep track of your tasks with this handy notepad, which has 150 grid pages in a compact size to slot right onto your desk space.
Light this linen scented candle to lift your mood while decluttering, which is made from vegan soy wax.
Pop this chore chart on your fridge to keep up to date with family decluttering tasks, which helps kids stay motivated and accountable.
This underbed storage bag features a zip to prevent moisture and pests getting to your belongings, with a clear PEVA plastic top for easy identification.
Meet our experts
Did you know you can also try Zodiac sign decluttering or harness the power of the moon to streamline?
