Challenge #1- Travel Mugs/Sports Cups/Plastic Cups

Want to take the first step to getting organized? Let’s begin with CUPS!

It always feels good, when beginning a project, to have success. This provides motivation to keep going. So your first task is one you can make real progress with.  The process we are going to use will be the same throughout the month, so let’s review it now:

THE PROCESS

• Gather your supplies:
  • Boxes or bags labeled with: “Donate”, “Elsewhere”, “Store”
  • Trash can/recycle bin
  • Damp rag/wet wipe

• Empty challenge area for the day. And by empty, I mean EMPTY.

• Once the area is empty, wipe it clean with a damp rag.

• Now sort the items into these categories: (The Seana Method’s R.E.D.D.S. system)
  • R- “Restore”: items to go back in
  • E- “Elsewhere: items to keep, but which don’t belong in this space
  • D- “Donate”
  • D- “Dispose”: trash or recycle
  • S- “Store”: items to keep for sentimental reasons, or perhaps for a long-term future use, but which are not regularly used. (These items will eventually need to go into a bin/box in an attic, basement, or closet.)

• As you are sorting, put items into the boxes/bags you prepared.

• Once you are finished sorting, put the “Restore” items back into your designated area.

• Carry the “Elsewhere” box/bag around your house and redistribute its contents.

• Move the “Donate” box/bag to the car to be donated.

• Trash/recycle the “Dispose” items

•  Put the "Store" box aside for now. When the month is over, these items will be packaged for long-term storage.

THE TASK

The first challenge is to clear out and sort all of your cups, sports bottles, travel cups, kiddie cups, etc. (You don’t need to consider china, stemware or glasses today). A good rule of thumb for adult cups (e.g. travel coffee cups, sports bottles) is one per person in your household, plus two (total) spares.  For children’s items (e.g. sippy cups), consider 2 per child, plus 2 (total) spares. For some of you, this may seem like an insufficient amount, but trust me, it is easier to wash a cup than to have them come crashing down every time you open the cabinet. The ULTIMATE restriction on how many you can keep is the physical size of your space. If you cannot comfortably replace the items you’ve decided to restore into your space, then you have to go back and get rid of more. If you have extra space when you are finished – and you want to keep more- then add a few extra back in.

Are you ready to get started? Give it a try – and let us know how it’s going!

Submitted by Seana Turner, founder and President of The Seana Method