We are focusing on a quick burst of organizing, only 10 minutes! I am always amazed at all you can accomplish in only 10 minutes! We also ponder the question– is it possible to be too organized? Plus we share the podcasts we have been loving lately.
But before we dive in, we wanted to say thank you to those that have subscribed and also to those who have left a review. Subscriptions and reviews are the best way for others to discover our podcast, so thank you for that support!
Over the summer months we will be releasing an episode every other week and subscribing is the best way for you to get our episodes when they are released. If you haven’t done so yet, you can subscribe and leave a review in iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play.
In case you’re looking for a few new podcasts to add to your queue, here are a few we mention in the episode. Bethany has been loving From the Heart: Conversations with Yoga Girl, The Minimalists, and S-Town.
Also in Episode 15 Taking Action: Shedding Light on a Pesky Problem, Bethany shared a problem she had been tolerating, almost without even realizing. That idea of a “toleration” came from a podcast episode she heard 3 years ago and she realized it totally applied to a recent pesky problem. Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast is a great podcast and resource for organizing as well as tips for those with ADHD.
My long time favorite is The Dave Ramsey Show. His show helps to keep me on track with money management and I never tire of those debt free stories! I have also really been enjoying Young House Love has a Podcast, even if I fail in my own attempts to be more like Nate Berkus.
Do you have a favorite podcast or a new one you have been loving lately? Share away in the comments below! We are always looking for new shows.
Monthly Challenge: 10 Minute Tuesdays
We are bringing back a series that used to occur regularly here on Space for Living Organizing, 10 Minute Tuesdays! For this challenge, you choose one small space and spend 10 minutes organizing that area. Set your timer and after a short intense focus, you are done. It is always surprising what you can accomplish in such a short amount of time!
Hopefully you will join in on this weekly challenge with us. We actually take a little pause in our conversation so Bethany could tackle her 10 minutes. No excuses! You can do anything for 10 minutes, starting today!
The Many Benefits of Organizing
Bethany and I got into a little disagreement whether or not folding and putting away her laundry counted towards organizing for 10 minutes. Of course, I can see her point, what does it matter what you do as long as you actually set aside 10 minutes and do something that improves your home?
My counter argument comes from my love of the long term effects of organizing and the fact that when you organize a space, not matter how small it is, clutter is cleared and you create an area that is easy to use and maintain.
The longevity of an organized space really wins me over, as opposed to chores and cleaning. Daily and weekly household chores start over again, day after day, week after week. It doesn’t matter how well you cleaned the kitchen last night or put away all the laundry last week, it all starts over again! Many times, this can feel defeating.
But when you put in the effort to organize, it lasts! I would even argue that organized spaces are easier to keep clean. Have I convinced you yet?
No matter what you decide to spend 10 minutes of focused organizing energy on, we hope you join in with us! That small amount of time can make a difference and if you don’t believe me, give it a try!
Burning Question: Can you be too Organized?
As much as I love the many benefits of organizing and frankly just staring at beautifully organized space (I’m looking at you Pinterest), there comes a point when I question whether you can actually be too organized. Is there a line where an organizing system crosses over and actually becomes too inefficient and impractical to maintain?
This question first popped into my head as I looked for pantry inspiration. I found so many amazingly, organized pantries. But then I had to wonder, are matching air-tight containers for packaged dry goods maintainable in everyday life? I keep thinking “That is a lot of groceries to unload into containers.”
Now don’t get me wrong, I have pretty containers in my own pantry that I unload bulk items into. I do understand the benefit of seeing what you have with clear containers! However, if your whole pantry involves decanting your groceries, that might soon become impractical. I am encouraging us to find the balance when it comes to organizing solutions.
Take and use those images as inspiration but find systems that will simplify and make things easier.
If you are spinning your wheels, wondering why you can’t maintain a similar picture perfect system, maybe it is not the right organizing solution for you. The wrong system can actually make things more complicated and inefficient.
An organized space should be easy to maintain! Here are few of my favorite low-maintenance pantries.
I love this real-life organized pantry from Kelsey Granda. She shared the “before” on Instagram if you want to check out her organizing skills. I love the use of open bins to categorize food. Talk about super simple spaces to use and maintain!
Although this next pantry has as good amount of clear containers (again I love a good air-tight bin), it also shows systems that could work well even if you do keep your food in their original packaging.
The pull out wire drawers allow you to find items even if you have deep shelves. The top shelf holds extra supplies with extra vertical shelves, like these, that can multiply your space. Of course, the over the door shoe hanger adds even more storage.
If you don’t have a pantry closet, this picture is a good example of a cabinet turned pantry with a few baskets to help sort and contain.
Then of course, built-in drawers can take any cabinet up to the next level! If you don’t have built-in drawers, you can mimic this same idea with bins that sit on the shelf.
I hope you are feeling inspired! Your space can be organized to suit your needs. And if your pantry is feeling a little cluttered, in Episode 9 Less is More, we answered a listener’s question about her pantry and suggested some organizing tips.
Let’s Connect
Join in our 10 Minute Tuesday organizing challenge! What are you going to conquer today? Feel free to let us know! To share use the hashtags #AtoBpodcast.
You can find us hanging out on Instagram @AtoB podcast |Facebook | Twitter
We even have a voicemail line (858) 480-7722! Or send us an email Hello @ AtoBpodcast.com.
Happy you found us? Help others to find our podcast too! We would love your feedback! Please leave us a review in iTunes.
*disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which mean if you click on a link and make a purchase I get a small percentage. I always give my honest opinions on and experiences with products and do not include any products I think might add to further clutter.
What if you don’t have a Pantry? That’s the delima I’m going through. I barely have any space for anything, much less for my plates & cups and spices.
Good point Jenny! I don’t have a pantry either. I shared how I organized my “cabinet pantry” in my old hoome in this post. I guess it is time for an update but I organize my current kitchen cabinet pantry similarly.
In my kitchen, I definitely have to limit how much I stockpile. I also keep spices in a drawer and baking supplies are kept in a tub in a lower cabinet, which saves precious upper cabinet space.
I also walked a reader through organizing her pantry (or lack thereof) in this two part post on Solving A Small Pantry Problem Part 1 and Part 2 Showing a Small Kitchen some Love. Those posts are specific to the reader, Daniella, but hopefully there are a few tips that could work for you.
If you still have questions, feel free to email me snapshots of the problem areas and we can see if we can figure out a few solutions to try.
Thank you for these ideas, but I also have another delima that I was hoping you might have ideas to help me with. I don’t have drawers in my kitchen as well.
No drawers! That is definitely a challenge to work around but I think you have some options.
For your most used items, I would make space on the counter and organize with nice containers if you can. For example, use a utensil caddy for your silverware. Picture a little coffee cart that has all the needed items out and neatly organized for the customers to use.
I have also seen small shelves (or a rod with accessories) mounted between the counter and cabinet for extra space so you don’t clutter up the counter. Also don’t forget the inside of your cabinet door! You can hang and mount so many different types of items, like these baking supplies, or use containers like this example in a bathroom. You can even use the outer cabinet like this.
Command hooks do amazing things and you don’t have to worry if you are in a rental. Ikea is also great place to look for inspiration because they do small spaces so well.
For lesser used items that you would usually keep in drawers, I love making stand-in drawers with containers. For example, like they did in this fridge except in cabinets.
Good luck and please keep us updated!