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It’s really weird having almost completely empty cabinets in this house. I keep thinking that I need to find something to store something on those shelves but there is nothing that logically makes sense to keep down there. I could move some of the children’s extra bedding down there since it’s closer to their rooms but as of now I need to learn to be okay with empty space.
If you are just joining us, here’s the deal:
I still had this mindset of decluttering being a big ol’ chore up until a few months ago when I read this fantastic post from Nony at A Slob Comes Clean. It was like a huge light went off in my brain! Decluttering is simply the act of getting rid of what doesn’t belong, isn’t needed, or belongs in the trash. It doesn’t mean buying a whole slew of new bins for your things to go in or coming up with some type of system that you hope will change your life – that’s organizing. It’s a whole different ball game. Right now, I’m in the game of decluttering. I just want things GONE.
When there’s less stuff, especially less of what has no purpose in your home anymore, organizing can often happen naturally. You won’t be cramming thirty towels into the closet because you only need ten and they fit nicely. You don’t need to dig through a tub of medicines to find what you need only to keep coming across bottles that are long since expired.
Here’s my challenge: Each week, take on ONE area of your home. I’ve already made the list for you so that part is done. Go to the area, throw away trash, put items that you no longer need but are still in good condition into a donation box, and put other items where they belong. Simple!
You can read more about the challenge on the week one post.
Week 23: Bathroom Drawers
I knew for a fact I would find loads to get rid of in our drawers. They have always been an easy spot to toss things that we needed to get out of the way when doing a quick clean of the bathroom. But after doing this time after time we end up with drawers that are full of junk and cover up the items we actually do need! Just look at these before pictures.
So much junk! The disposable razors on my side have been in there for over a year. I switched to using Harry’s razors (both Micah and I use them now) so I have no need for other razors anymore.
Also in my drawer? Hair pretties that don’t fit anyone, an empty travel first aid container, travel bottles of soap, and pregnancy tests that expired in 2015. A good portion of those things went to the trash with a few things making their way to the donation box.
Micah’s drawer? Two empty razor containers, a pencil(?), lotion from who knows where, empty anti-itch cream, and a few other things that don’t belong in the drawer.
Are you ready for this after picture? This “project” seriously took about ten minutes, and that included taking pictures and wiping down the drawers. Why did I wait so long to clean these out? It makes me want to go on a decluttering rampage through the rest of these weeks but I know it will be better if I go slowly so I don’t burn out.
While I don’t dream of these drawers staying exactly this organized forever at least I know that for the time being, what is in the drawers is actually needed and useful. No more pregnancy tests that are two years past their use by date or mouthwash that expired in 2009. Seriously, true story.
What did you clean out of your bathroom drawers this week?
Share a picture in the comments or on social media with the hashtag #clutterbusterchallenge of what you found to declutter.
Come back next week for week 24 as we clean out our tubs and showers. Do you have empty shampoo bottles that you keep forgetting to take to the recycling bin? What about slivers of bar soap that are essentially useless? I’ll see you here next Tuesday and show you what I found to declutter from our tub/shower!