Whether it was intentional or not we all have that one drawer in our home that is consumed with just about everything and anything. A junk drawer is where miscellaneous, small, useful items are stored. These items are (for the most part) used on a daily basis so why did it coin the term junk drawer? Doesn’t junk usually refer to garbage, but yet most of the items in the drawer are essential to our everyday lives. With that type of mindset it’s easy for useless things to eventually pile up. The next thing you know you can’t find what it was you were looking for. Follow these five simple steps to tackling that junk drawer once and for all.
Now I know what you’re thinking. Where do I even begin?
Step 1: Take Everything Out
I know opening the drawer alone can be overwhelming, but don’t let that get in your way. We need to start with a blank canvas. That means emptying out the entire drawer.
Step 2: Categorize
During the emptying process you're going to separate similar items together and make piles. I want you to really take your time with this. I want you to grab a trash bag and keep it nearby while doing this. You’re going to have a lot of things in there that are unnecessary.
Step 3: Purge
Listen I get it, letting go of stuff is hard. We often tell ourselves that now that we know we have something we’ll start using it. If you haven't used something in over a year It's time for you to let it go. Some things might not serve you anymore and that's okay. We always tell our clients that donating to charity shops or giving away to friends are an alternative option.
Step 4: Customization
Referring back to step 2 you helped yourself out tremendously at this point. For example, you have your separate piles in front of you. Whether it's one of all your wires/chords, writing utensils, tools and your batteries etc. You now know everything that you’re working with. Get your handy dandy measuring tape out and write down the measurements of your drawer. This is essential to your transformation because it allows you to know what products to buy.
Step 5: The Finale
The time has come to put everything that you've learned together. By now you have your products with you whether you bought them online or went into the store to get them. Play around with your products, forget perfection at the door and allow patience. I like to think of this part as a game of tetris. This is completely customizable to your style and inventory. Once the product is in and you are content with it, put your items in and you're officially done.
Once it’s completely organized and has a new functional system it’ll be easier to keep things in order and most importantly you’ll be more motivated to keep it in order. Don’t forget though that this is a drawer that is getting the most action. There are new things constantly getting thrown around in there. Allow yourself to go through the drawer once every month to refresh it so it doesn't go back to how it used to be.
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