I believe that cleaning and organization are more psychological than physical. Many times we get so overwhelmed with the number of simple tasks we need to do each day that we give up on them all. It only takes a few short days before many neglected smalls tasks add up to a huge problem!
Don’t try to tackle it all at once. The task will seem impossible and burn out is likely. Today find one small “trouble spot” in your home, set the timer for 30 minutes, and work as hard as you can to organize and clean that space. When time is up walk away from the task. If you aren’t finished you can come back to it tomorrow. The goal is not to spend all day cleaning, it is to spend short but extremely productive periods of time cleaning and organizing.
The “trouble spot” I am tackling today, one kitchen drawer. This drawer has been disorganized for so long I cannot even remember what it was originally supposed to hold. I know that half of the items probably belong in the garbage, but I haven’t taken the time to declutter this drawer in months.
What has kept me back from organizing this drawer? Nothing but avoidance. This drawer annoys me, every time I can’t find something in the kitchen I am sure someone has put it in this drawer by mistake.
This might sound crazy, but this drawer is a joy stealer. And things that steal my joy need to go!
Clean Home, Fresh Start is a month long series to help you create a clean and clutter free home. Feel free to join in, follow along, share your tips and encouragement. Let’s all help each other create a peaceful and welcoming home for our families, friends, and ourselves.
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Liz says
This is a great idea! My problem is I feel like I have to do everything in one day! Its exausting… I am going to try this today!
Young Wife says
Great advice! We just moved, and even though there’s SO much to do, I think focusing on one box or area at a time helps keep me going.
Amy :) says
I totally agree about things like messy drawers being joy stealers. Today I am having an overwhelmed day… *everything* is stealing my joy… the dishes, the laundry pile, feeling behind on the kids’ school, etc.
Especially our bedroom closet. I think I am going to tackle finishing up the comforter that I have been working on for a few weeks, and keep sticking in the closet “for now”.
Tonya says
I’m with you! One drawer, one closet (even one shelf) at a time is the only way to do a big cleaning / organizing project. It would be overwhelming otherwise. Who has time to spend a whole week doing nothing but that?
Sheila Gregoire says
I do this all the time! When I have writer’s block, or just don’t feel like doing any work, I clean one small thing. It makes me feel psychologically better and more ready to tackle something a little harder!
Sheila from To Love, Honor and Vacuum
Christy says
I have lots of these drawers all over my house. I am in, one drawer at a time I will return the joy!
Trina says
I know this tip. I even know it well. I just don’t practice it as often as I should. Thanks for the reminder! :o)
Gwenn says
I have that same drawer. I will clean it out after the kids go to bed tonight! I’m right with you, Toni.
Heather says
I have decided until my children are to the independent play stage I will not be annoyed by the clutter. So in a year or so I will follow this advice of tackling a small spot each day to get everything in perfect order. Until then I will grin and bear it…ha ha.
Lori A. says
Thanks for the motivation! I am going to attack a couple of the 5 junk drawers in our kitchen! Yes, 5….as I hang my head in shame. We have too many drawers in our kitchen. 🙂
Taylor at Stain-Removal-101.com says
I love the idea of just tackling a little project every day. It keeps you from being overwhelmed. I think I will tackle the project of cleaning up my laundry room — it needs a good scrubbing down in parts. Thanks for the motivation!
stacy says
I didn’t end up doing a drawer but I tackled our entertainment center. Got rid of 23 vhs tapes. It’s about time since the vhs recorder broke 6 months ago and we threw it out 2 months ago.
Sharee says
I’m hoping to be moving soon to join my husband in Colorado and I’m in the process of getting rid of the clutter. It is overwhelming when I think of the whole house, but I’m breaking it down one closer, drawer, or cupboard at at time. It has been so much easier to get rid of things when I’m thinking about whether I want to pack this item, haul it to another state, and then unpack it. I’m also pretty sure we will be living in a smaller space, so I’ve got to downsize. I’m finding getting rid of stuff very energizing!
ali says
I have 2 of those drawers in my kitchen… I’m planning on getting some dividers for the drawers to divide and conquer what really needs to be in there, and then I need to get ruthless with the tossing this week!