Let’s stop kidding around with this drawer of terror! If you can get your junk drawer to open, tackle it immediately. Try using these two suggestions for a better psychological approach to your junk drawer:
- Rename The Drawer. Junk implies unwanted and unloved objects that no one wants. In reality, what you will find in this drawer are rogue shirt buttons, missing pens, recipes cards, paper clips, post-it notes, loose change, etc. Things in this drawer are not unwanted but misplaced and are often there because we could not figure out where to put them at that moment. So let’s rename the drawer, “Relocation Services” because everything in it is just waiting to be relocated to a new home.
- Pre-Organize Your Drawer. Part of the problem with tackling this drawer is that when it’s opened, everything rolls astray all over the place. Avoid this problem in advance by placing a small silverware tray, small box lids, or an office drawer organizer inside the drawer so when you place objects in there, you can go ahead and organize them. Tackling the drawer will be less daunting when everything already seems somewhat organized.
Now let’s get started on that junk drawer. Approach, Open, Experience the Horror, Attack!
Drop me a line and let me know how it’s going for you.
In my opening post in this series, my recommendation was that you not over organize but just have a strategy. Same rules apply when setting up your home storage systems. Rather than rushing out to invest in an ultra slick, deliciously organized system of stacked plastic containers, baskets, and bins, think about the following:
What is the goal of your home storage system? Simple: Your system should be efficient, "locale" specific, and kid-friendly.
Why efficient? The easier the better. How often do you think you would be motivated to use an organizing system that required "moving mountains" to retrieve or store items aways? Most likely items would get plopped on top of the storage container and develop into a hot mess over time. Think also about the best containers for the item to be stored. Consider a clear versus a solid color storage container for commonly used items such as DVDs, because that would allow a quick visual scan of the container rather than having to put out a DVD APB in your own home.
Why "locale" specific? Keeping everything close to where it's used means less travel for that item and reduces the effort required to put it away after use.
And Kid Friendly? As I discussed in a previous post, we want the family to buy into our home organization efforts. So make it easy for your children to stay involved by making sure their coat and backpack hooks are on their level, using bins with wheels and long handles for pulling, and providing stepping stools so they can easily reach lower level shelves to put toys, shoes, or clothing away.
Recycling is an ongoing project that everyone can get involved in right away. Again, as you’re organizing, make sure you watch for items that can be recycled. At my house, it’s more newspapers and water bottles that I’ve been guilty of tossing in the trash.
Don’t feel a need to purchase anything special because a simple box or plastic storage bin will do. I use a simple cardboard box for newspapers but a plastic one for water bottles so if there’s any spillage, it won’t leak through.
Get your kiddos involved because they will be sure to keep you diligent about recycling. Look for ways to help your local schools out by placing your recyclable items in their bins. Make sure to include the plastic shopping bags in your recycling program because most stores have started their own recycling programs for these and will accept bags from all stores, not just their own.
Donations are good for the soul. So don’t hold back when you find good items during your organization/cleaning program that could be contributed. Besides the obvious tax breaks, donating to your local charities is a wonderful way to teach our kiddos the joy of giving. In fact, they love to be involved and I’ve found are more than happy to search their rooms for giveaways.
As for the adults, the key to our donating success is to be honest about what needs to go. The skinny skirt hidden in our closet from 10 years and 6 sizes ago, gone! The suit pants that not even a belt could love, out! Dusty tools that are in good shape but our fingerprints are nowhere to be found on them, donate! Spread the love you experienced with these products by donating them to a worthy organization for someone else to use in the present.
I urge you to find a box worthy of your gifts and let’s get these things donated! I am wishing you the best with letting go and trust that I know how hard it can be.
Drop me a line and let me know how it’s going for you.
Family Meeting – Check!
Timeline - Check!
Home stations - Check!
Rewards System – Check!
Cleaning Caddy – Check!
The project day has finally arrived! So let's get busy. Wait – do not start anything without a timer! It doesn't have to be anything fancy, you can use a digital watch, the timer on your stove, or the alarm clock on your cell phone. I don't recommend simply watching the time on the clock because I honestly think you'll fare better if you have that timer working it's "psychological tricks" on your mind. Somehow knowing that timer will sound off at any minute just puts more urgency in your step.
Since it's your first time out on this huge project, start out with say 15 minutes and go from there. The most I would recommend you set the timer is only for 30 minutes. After that, it just seems too long and I've found that I'll drag my feet a bit because I think I have plenty of time to get a certain room done. However, if a longer time works for you, have at it!
So……Set the timer, get ready, set, now go!
Next: We'll talk junk drawers, donations, recycling, storing items, etc. Stay tuned.
I know what you're thinking: why didn't we make this cleaning caddy after suggestion #3, where we broke our home into stations? Well, I'll tell you. After you completed the exercise of breaking down every room into individual stations, I thought it best to start thinking about rewards rather than barrel forward with this task – just in case the thought of cleaning each small area seemed overwhelming or caused you to want to throw in the towel.
The Cleaning Caddy – The caddy is for storing and carrying all of your cleaning supplies so make sure whatever container you use has a handle for easy carrying. Each room will have unique needs so the cleaning supplies may be different. I'm not so firm on having a different caddy for each room because most of the cleaning supplies will be the same. However, I do think certain items in your caddy should remain separate such as any cleaning cloths or sponges. The bathroom, kitchen, and dusting cloths should not be used interchangebly – and you know why! Check your local dollar store for a cheap pack of multi-purpose wipes and you're all set!
Next: Let's Get Busy!!!!!!
Here's the fun part of this project – at least until you actually get to use the earned reward that is!
Once your home is broken into stations, choose an appropriate reward for each area. Take a hard look at the home station list because clearly, some areas will deserve a much bigger reward than others. For instance, after tackling say the bathroom areas, perhaps you should earn a manicure, pedicure, or even new bath salts for a quiet soak in your newly cleaned bathtub. The possibilities are endless and since you're the keeper of the list, you get to decide on every delicious reward to be had (insert a slightly evil but very satisfied laugh here).
This project is starting to look like it's going to work out well for you…
P.S. Don't forget to choose an appropriate reward for each family member as well.
