I have no idea where the year went, but here we are in the last month of 2025. What a year it has been. The Trump 2.0 presidency has proven to be more cruel and chaotic than the first time around. New York City has chosen a mayor-elect who will hopefully usher in a new era of compassion and competence. Winter is officially here and it is getting darker and colder each day. And it is time to start planning and setting goals for the new year.
I, for one, always look forward to a new year. It is a time to reset and reflect on all of the amazing people, places, and things in my orbit, but to also set some real intentions for moving forward. I always enjoy the lists of things to do to help people get more organized and prepare for the future.
A list came across my feed and the primary call to action involved letting certain things go. I am trying more and more to live a life free of extraneous items (and people) who will clutter my path and prevent me from seeing the road ahead more clearly.
Some suggestions on the list involve getting rid of clothes you haven’t worn in a year. I always encourage people to give clothes to churches or Goodwill so others can have coats for the winter, and so the items collecting dust in the backs of our closets can be put to good use. They also recommend letting go of broken gadgets. We all have that drawer full of cords, cables, and old electronics that will never be resurrected. This one is particularly hard for me as an academic, but they suggest parting with books you will never reread. It is difficult, but important. We read to know we aren’t alone, and if we can give the gift of reading to someone else, that is a gift that keeps on giving.
They also recommend donating shoes that hurt your feet, disposing of old and worn out sheets and towels, and recycling old and outdated magazines. Disposing of these items will likely take thirty minutes and give our homes more space and clear energy. Finally, they suggest donating or throwing away old toys that kids have outgrown. I know I like a clutter free home, and that may not be for everyone, but I do like to think of my items as useful to someone else.
So, in the spirit of preparing for the new year and new beginnings, let’s get rid of things that no longer serve us. Seasons change and as a dear friend always reminds me, “We need to travel light so we can travel far.” Let’s get to clearing out.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of the books “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.