If you're local, pick up January's issue of Wrightsville Beach magazine and turn to page 14, if you're not, read on!

​Your home is your sanctuary. If the idea of decluttering seems like the most daunting task in the world, rest assured it will actually make you feel better in the long run. Here are seven reasons why organizing your home reduces stress and increases relaxation, getting you ever closer to that sanctuary you want and deserve.

Your pantry sees a lot of activity. Daily, you and your family are in and out, grabbing food and snacks, putting things back, loading, stacking, shoving, digging, stuffing - it's no wonder it can start to look a little chaotic. Keep reading to learn how you can reset your pantry - or get it organized for the first time - and how to best keep it that way.

The first step to an organized space is visualization. The first ACTION step to an organized space is decluttering. It's choosing which of your possessions you want to keep - which you use, which you love, and which brings you joy. It's letting go of guilt, the parts of the past that aren't part of your future, and the weight (literally and figuratively) of clutter. Decluttering clears the way (again: literally and figuratively) for you and your family to live the life you want and deserve. The first step to getting what you want is getting rid of what you don't. Wow, right? But those of you who have started decluttering know: it's easier said than done.

We all have goals - milestones we want to reach. So why is it that some people reach their goals and some don't? Why do 80% of us fail to reach our New Year's Resolutions with the majority of us giving up by mid-February? Why do 25% of us give up after 7 days? What can you do differently for a better chance at success?

​Life change of any kind can cause stress, and moving is no exception. It can take over a year to adjust to new surroundings, which may sound daunting when you're only on week one in your unknown environment. Experts provide tips such as unpacking ASAP, exploring your new abode, and spending as much time there as possible, but there are also other ways to settle into your new home that require little effort — help lies ahead. 

Whether the space you're organizing is large or small, cluttered to the ceiling or just a little over-stuffed, filled with shoes and clothes or pasta and canned peas - the general organization process is the same. Follow these steps for a more organized space.

Even if you dread cleaning, you can’t deny that it feels good after it's done. However, the benefits of cleaning aren't limited to that glowing feeling of pride you feel when you survey your spotless house. Cleaning and tidying have very real, very tangible effects on our physical and mental health. If you’re committed to taking better care of yourself this year, you should be committed to taking better care of your home.