Day #1 ~ Getting Organized Challenge

January 1, 2011
We’ve made it to the New Year… yay!

So, you’ve decided to join the challenge.  You’ve anxiously anticipated what your assignments will be, and you’re ready to finally get organized!  I’m so glad you are here, so lets get started on our journey to organization!

 

Remember, Baby steps ladies (Fly Lady’s usual saying)… Your house didn’t become messy in one day and its not going to get organized in one day.  If you work a little each day, you will have created an organized home before you know it.
Day #1 Challenge (Organizing the “junk” drawer)


Here is your challenge (I started out simple)…

1. Find a drawer, any drawer (preferribly your junk drawer), and take a picture as it looks right now. No cheating here.  We want to see chaos!


2. Now empty the contents into a large box.  ALL OF THEM!  (Trust me, the box will be much easier than the counter… you can transport it). 

3. Get a soapy washcloth and wipe the drawer clean.  

4. Now, go collect some of those organizing containers that I had you stash away and place them in the drawer. The more containers you have, the more organized you are going to stay!

5. Set up your bins & trash can near you:  one bin for “keep”, the trash can bin for “toss”, and the “donation box” you set aside earlier in the week.  

6. Get your box of drawer contents, take a seat at the table, and start purging.  Keep ONLY what you have used in the last 3 months.  Toss everything else… either in the donation box or the trash.  

7.  After you have gone through the whole box, you can start organizing!  This is the fun part.  Try to keep like items together.  Isn’t organizing fun?

8.  Now take another picture and give your self a pat on the back!  Way to go… you completed challenge #1. Don’t forget to come back to A Bowl Full of Lemons and share your success on THIS POST!

Happy Organizing!


My pictures for our Day #1 Challenge…


Here is “before the organization”. I use this drawer for my every day stuff, that we use a lot.  I dont want to keep it on the counter, so it usually goes in here.

Drawer liners are a stylish way to dress up a drawer.
Containerizing things that get out of control is a good idea! These were three for $1.00 at you guessed it, Big Lots!

 

 

This spot is home to my lovely IPAD! Wow, the case is dirty. Wonder if some Basic H would fix that?

 

I put the cookbooks that Im using for the week in here for easy reference and menu planning.

 

My first aid kit is even organized!

 

Much better!

 

This is my “true” junk drawer, but I didn’t think it would be fair to post this, since its already pretty organized.  I used an organizing container with lots of compartments… that worked perfectly for this space.

 

ps.  I have visited ALL of your blogs, and I know some of you have organized your junk drawers already.  So, pick another drawer to organize.  It will only HELP you!  No slackers here. 😉

If you are new to my blog and would like to join in on the challenge, click on the box below. Read the details and join up! (You can join in at any time). I’m so glad to have you.

Dont forget to vote for me today! Just your click votes!  ty.

 


Link up your Day #1 post (JUNK DRAWERS) here…

 


31 comments on “Day #1 ~ Getting Organized Challenge

  1. Thanks for stopping by. I move a lot…I have to be pretty organized. Our 1 car garage is my sore spot, but I can get a car in it.

  2. Toni says:

    You are welcome. Im glad you could link up! 🙂

  3. Amanda says:

    wow love your drawers!!

  4. Jessie says:

    Morning! Can not wait to start but it will have to wait until tomorrow when I hopefully arrive home! Thanks for the start of a great year!

  5. I want to know where you got that cute drawer liner – everything I see is so ugly! Yours is cute!!
    I love that this only took me 15 minutes this morning! Awesome!

  6. Toni says:

    Target, of course! They always have cute stuff.

  7. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! And thanks for the challenge, I have never been so excited to get organized. Your blog has been a great inspiration!
    Yes, feel free to use any of my posts throughout this challenge & going forward! I would be honored!

    http://sustainablychicdesigns.blogspot.com/

  8. I am so doing this, I got all the things ready, the ones on your list, only I had a flooding in my kitchen two days ago and have to tear up all the flooring – will still try to follow the challenge, my house needs it bad time

  9. Jennie says:

    OOOOOO…can’t wait to get home. I have my stuff to do it, just need to get there. WOO HOO!

    Jennie {Cinnaberry Suite}

  10. Reginia says:

    I just want to say THANK YOU for starting with something simple haah I am notorious for starting something then stopping but I am determined to do this whole wonderful Challenge!

    Reginia @ theNotsomodernfamily.blogspot.com

  11. Carpenter's says:

    Toni! I am super excited for Monday! Thanks for stopping by and being so kind. You are a FANTASTIC motivator!

  12. Heather says:

    I hope a cabinet counts…I dont have a drawer… LOL but it was evil! Great challenge 🙂

  13. Emma Louise says:

    I don’t have a blog, so not sure that I can join in, but I’m hoping to follow you guys anyway! I started with one drawer yesterday, then another, then my christmas decorations… Before I knew it I had the organising bug! Thanks for the challenge, I will be checking in again for the next installment.

  14. Amanda says:

    bet it feels great knowing that you inspired 85 people to clean their junk drawers! looking forward to tomorrow!!

  15. Sharon says:

    I have accomplished my first goal of the new year! Two drawers clean…and I posted. I will have your button in my sidebar by tomorrow…working on a little blog makeover! :O)
    I’m going to try and have my mobile command center finished this afternoon and be ready for the second challenge tomorrow!
    Thank you for the inspiration!

  16. I just found out about this and I am so excited…I posted a little blurb about it on my blog under New Year’s Resolutions.

    I just organized my junk drawer the other day, but sadly enough…I didn’t take any pictures.

  17. Thanks for stopping by my blog! My husband has been trying to get me to organize for years. Your blog has me excited and ready to organize!!

  18. Thank you for stopping by–thank you for organizing the challenge! I can’t wait for tomorrow’s challenge!

  19. April says:

    I am a new follower and I am totally doing this-thought I am a little alte. I need the accountability!

  20. ~alicia says:

    I’ve added your button to my blog home page, but I don’t know how to link it up…technically challenged!

  21. Toni says:

    Hmmm. Usually when I add someones button, I go to design, add gadget, add picture, (this is after I have right clicked on the picture and saved to my computer), and type in their blog on the link. Hope that helps. 🙂 Toni

  22. Stephanie says:

    I didn’t post any pictures, but I did clean out the two drawers in my nightstand. They really needed it (my junk drawer was recently overhauled). Thanks for the awesome challenge.

    Stephanie
    http://www.eyeballgirl.com

  23. Stacey Gray says:

    Thanks so much! I can’t link up because my blog is private, but I did clean out my junk drawer, and now it seems like it is mostly a battery drawer…
    It only took a couple of minutes-which is good because I’m trying to catch up after having started late.
    I’m excited to get my home back to where it should be!

  24. Amy K says:

    so i just did my junk drawer(s). i guess i’m working my way super slowly! i couldn’t link up, but it’s on my blog.
    thanks for all the organizational tips and great ideas!

  25. Emily S says:

    Looks like I missed the linking party, but I’m still participating! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂

    Emily
    http://neverendingbutterflies.wordpress.com/2011/03/02/21-day-organization-challenge-day-1/

  26. Ananda says:

    Great post! Thank you for the help… Im starting to get teh spring cleaning fever myself

  27. Rebekah says:

    Oh my. I think I’m going to have to join this challenge after I’m finished with my current one. 🙂 Saving this blog for sure!

  28. MojoMama says:

    I’m afraid I missed the linky, but I’m participating in the challenge!!

    Here’s my day 1! http://www.mojomamablog.com/2011/07/day-1-junk-drawer.html

  29. Tina says:

    Just found your blog today, I need this challenge big time! I was going to start tomorrow because I am beat tonight, but being that was such an easy one I decided I am going to do it now.

  30. I have that EXACT same drawer liner! Gorgeous isn’t it? 🙂

  31. Eunice Smith says:

    This is a great idea! This should be helpful, especially for people who are not organized by nature. By taking “before” and “after” pictures, they get to visualize their progress and be more motivated to sort their junk. You have a nice junk drawer, by the way.

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