You’ve made to Day 8 of the 10 Day Organizing Challenge! Every day for 10 days we are tackling a different space for 10 minutes of focused organizing!
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During these 10 minutes, be aware of what you will actually use. Sometimes we get stuck putting items right back into a space because it has always been there.
Throughout the 10 minutes, pause to ask, “Am I really going to use this?”
Let’s Get Started
- Grab your materials – trash, notepad/pen, cleaning cloth and preferred cleaner, optional: containers
- Set your timer for 10 Minutes
- Go!
Step 1: Empty out your bathroom drawer, medicine cabinet, or the counter area.
Step 2: Begin sorting like with like; trashing and making a “Put elsewhere” pile for items that don’t belong. After you’ve sorted, ask yourself, “Do all these items go back in to this space? Am I going to use this?”
Step 3: Wipe down the area so any items that return here are coming back to a clean home.
Step 4: Think about, “What do you want that space to store?“
- Is it prime real estate (easy to reach areas that you can access with ease) that needs to hold your everyday, most used items?
- It is a space that is hard to get to? Can you use the area to store extra toiletry items or other things you want to keep but don’t need to access regularly?
Step 5: Containerize! Once you know what you’d like to keep, corral like items, organizing sorted items into small containers that fit in the space.
Containers are necessary to keep the space organized going forward especially in such a well traveled area like a bathroom. With specific containers each item has a home to be returned after it’s used.
You do not need fancy containers! One of my favorite things to use in a clients home is shoe box lids or small jewelry boxes. Consider this a “phase 1”; if later you want to upgrade to fancier items or containers customized for the space, do that only after you see what is working best for you.
I also tend to snag containers from other areas. I had a couple of baskets on my bookshelf that I repurposed and used in the bathroom because they just better met the need I had for bathroom containers.
I also really recommend labels. Labels nudge you to put items away when you forget or are in a hurry. We all need a little nudge now and then!
I spent 10 minutes cleaning under the sink in my girls’ bathroom.
Bethany tossed some unused or expired items, sorted and neatened her toiletries, and completely emptied a box of items. Look how lovely the plant looks in that corner!
Remember, as you are working, note any items you are almost out of, or bigger tasks that need to go onto your to-do list.
We Did It!
We want to celebrate Day 8 of the challenge with you, so check in with us! Let us know how it went!
We welcome all updates, before and after pics, or even questions that came up for you as you started the project. Tag us on Instagram @AtoB podcast or Facebook. Or send us an email Hello @ AtoBpodcast.com.
Enjoying the podcast? Please head to iTunes and leave us a rating and review. It helps us to get your feedback, and helps others to find the show. Also, it is not too late to invite a friend to the 10 Day Challenge!
Did you Miss a Day?
- Day 1 Fridge
- Day 2 Cluttered Drawer
- Day 3 Mail
- Day 4 Home Office
- Day 5 Flat Surface
- Day 6 To-Do List
- Day 7 Books
