Challenge #2- The “Junk” Drawer

Did you clear out your mugs and sports cups yesterday? Let’s kick it up a notch today with the “junk” drawer.

Let’s recall the process we are using throughout the month:

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 Seana Method doesn’t think anyone should actually have a “junk” drawer. After all, we don’t buy junk! Rather, every drawer we have should serve a specific purpose. For most of us, the “junk” drawer is really a “supplies” drawer (tape, scissors, pens, calculator, stapler, etc.). Once you have decided what needs to be restored to the drawer, you need to organize it in a way that you (and others who access it) can maintain. This drawer functions best with an organizer inside (see image). If you don’t have one, put it on your “to do” list to get one. If you have a large drawer, you may benefit from getting two. Look for clear organizers. Then, under each section you can take a piece of paper (visible through the organizer) that says what item should go in this section. This will help everyone return items to their proper place.

In the meantime, until you can get yourself a clear desk organizer, you can use small boxes, small plastic food storage containers, or any other items you have on hand to try and put things back in an orderly fashion. The key here is to NOT layer items on top of each other, but rather to limit the items in the drawer such that each one is easily removed and easily replaced. If you can’t fit it all back in, think creatively about another location you could use for some of the items. For example, maybe batteries can go in a box of their own on a pantry shelf.

Good luck! Remember to post any comments or questions you have! One more challenge tomorrow, and then we will take the weekend off!

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