Wednesday, January 12, 2021
I will not be talking about fashion today as I normally do on Wednesdays, but come back tomorrow when I link up with Fashion Files.
Today I am linking up with Let’s Look, a monthly affair with a different topic each month. The hostess’ are Erika here and Shay here. Be sure to check out more posts; I need this topic badly!
I think this is really the key…
I really try to scrutinize every purchase that will come into my home. Where will I put it? Do I NEED it? Is there something else that can be used in its place?
The less stuff you own the less stuff you need to organize.
One of the best things I do yearly is my 30 Bags in 30 Days challenge. I list 30 spaces in my home and try to get a “bag” of stuff from that area that I don’t need. I have donation bags and trash bags. The spaces can be larger or smaller. I like to be super specific so that I can tackle more than one in a day or while dinner cooks. I got this idea from a former blogger, Mel Larson. She is on Instagram and has great ideas and is a fun follow!
Here is my list for 2022: (If you are a long time blog reader, you will recognize many of these same spaces.)
- drawer under microwave
- silverware drawer (take out plastic dividers and wash, too)
- dishtowel drawer
- plastic storage container drawer
- baggies, foil drawer
- kitchen junk drawer
- big utensil drawer
- freezer
- fridge
- pantry
- medicines
- spices
- Amy closet jewlery drawer
- Amy socks
- basement storage room
- seasonal decor
- Amy car console
- throw blankets
- seasonal pillows
- wrapping paper box
- cabinet above microwave
- shelves below tv in living room
- book shelves in basement
- playroom shelves
- playroom closet
- jackets and coats – do this quickly so someone can be using
- bathroom linen closet
- mudroom dog towels and beach towels
- under sink cleaning products
- living room hall closet
I’m sure that is super boring to read, but it gives you an idea of how I do this and it holds me accountable.
I don’t mess with any of Tom’s stuff or Jack and Mason’s stuff.
Another tip: Do not go out and buy a ton of organizing products (baskets and bins) until you know where you need them and how you will use them. I did that once and then regretted it big time!
Papers:
-I throw away/recycle anything that can be looked up online.
– take a photo of any important things so that it is on my phone’s camera roll.
-I open mail while standing over my trash and recycling and immediately deposit it in one of the two if I don’t need to keep it.
I am a product/makeup junkie but since I have started buying better brands I don’t throw so much away. When I was buying impulsively in Target and drugstores I had so much that I was tossing out.
I am utilizing a vase for my laundry pods:
and a giant Mason jar for my dishwasher pods:
I love these white baskets in my closet:
I have some varying sizes:
I also keep a paper planner and write lots of lists.
My phone memo section has tons of lists to. I have lists for:
-my next grocery order
-restaurants I want to try
-Shows I want to watch/movies I want to watch
-Books I want to read
-Spring fashion items I am interested in
-passwords
-the grades of all my nieces and nephews are in – hey, I have a lot!
I hope I gave you at least one tip you can use! Leave me your best tip in the comments!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
Thank you, I will try to follow along! When do we start!? Nice idea with the washing pods, I’ll try that! And it’s a great idea to take photos of important papers!
I agree: don’t buy new containers before you know what you need… I have an impression that you fill up the spaces you have… If you get more storage room you will just hoard more things!
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I loved this post. I have been keeping a large box in my upstairs hallway and I add to it all week. On Wednesday I take it to our local Goodwill. I do love picking one area a day to rid and organize. I think I will use your list to tackle mine. I agree with not buying new containers. I have a basement with several in it right now that I have bought through the years. I keep holding onto them thinking I will need them eventually.
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That’s a great idea to build that into your schedule!
Thank you! Yes, join in with me and I will try to do some photos and talk about my progress!
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I love purging and organizing! I have to continually reassess my spaces and figure out what’s working and what’s not but it is amazing how much better I feel!
I love your list of things to organize this year!
xo,
Kellyann
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Such a great post! I too have several children, nieces/nephews, so I keep a note in my phone of gifts I have given them for bdays, Christmas, etc. so I can be sure not to repeat something – and I also use this notes page to capture anything I hear them say they’re into (favorite restaurants, bands, clothing brands) or what they want so I can have gift ideas ready! Sometimes they’ll mention something in passing and I think – oh! I need to write that down so I can gift it later. You’re tip about taking a photo of any important things so that it is on the phone’s camera roll is great and I even take it a step further by creating “albums” in the camera roll for each of my kids so I can file pics of report cards, permission slips, invites to friends bday parties. Gah I love this blog, have I mentioned that before LOL!
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The 30 bags challenge is so helpful. I plan to do some of that after Grace goes back to college. And I really should keep more notes on my phone!
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Isn’t it? Now I just need to get started! Right? It feels too hard while the college kids are still leaving stuff around. I should keep more than I do!
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I love your 30 days idea! I use the notes section on my phone a lot too. That’s a great idea about nieces and nephews. I should do that too! I have 11 …I should write their birthdays / ages down. So many great ideas!
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Thanks! I love my notes section. You have a lot, too! I think I have 10…too many to count.
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I’ve been working on the boys’ room and the last is my teen’s. I have a little post coming up on the little things I have added to make things look neater after I have decluttered. A few baskets, new hangers, just things to make it look prettier and more streamlined after I have gotten rid of the excess.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
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I can’t wait for that post! I have been keeping up with you and commenting from time to time. I have some trouble commenting on many blogs from my ipad – not sure why- might be because it is using my school Google account?
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I need to try that 30 bags in 30 days. I’ve been cruising through our house over break, but maybe I’ll save it for the first month of summer. It’s a great idea!
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I do it every year! Sometimes I don’t make it all the way through, but I do try. I often do it again in the summer. How sad that I let things accumulate that much.
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