Winters in Canada feel like they stretch on forever. And it is so hard to feel motivated when it is cold outside, and the snow is blowing. However, the winter can be such a great time to get organized, since so much of your time is spent inside anyways!
But if you are just getting started, it is always best to start SMALL. Don’t try to tackle your biggest project first, but do less intimidating ones to build up your confidence.
1. Photos. Whether you have totes of photos, shoeboxes, loose photos scattered about, or actual albums there are always ways to organize your photos. Collect all the photos in your home and go through them while watching TV or listening to music. Toss any photos that are duplicated, blurry or uninteresting. I like to keep photos in shoeboxes rather than albums because they are more space efficient, but it is a personal choice depending on how often you go through and like to look at the photos. Decide how to organize the photos – either by date, setting, people in the photos etc. – and place the photos into their corresponding sorted piles. From there you can organize them into what medium you choose: album or shoebox.
2. Books. Take a look at your bookshelves. An authentic, critical look. Wouldn’t you rather have your bookshelves reflect stories you love and interests that you are passionate about, rather than every book that has ever crossed your path? Take all the books off the shelves and start fresh. Look at each one and ask yourself: Did I read this book? If yes, did I like it? If no, does it interest me enough to actually read it? Does this book represent your authentic self and interests? You shouldn’t feel obligated to keep books that you got as gifts, or ones that you got on sale if when you started to read them they were uninteresting. They shouldn’t be taking up your precious space out of obligation. And don’t feel pressure to keep reading a book that is uninteresting! Move on to another book. There are millions out there just waiting to be cracked open. Only put the books back that you actually liked or are planning to read. Donate the rest to a thrift store, free little library located in your neighbourhood, an actual library, or a charitable cause! And make sure if you come across any books you borrowed from a friend or an actual library that you return them :)
3. Tupperware. You’ve heard the saying that when you lose a sock in the dryer it comes back as a Tupperware lid? It’s so accurate! Food storage containers and lids have a way of getting ahead of you. I like to keep it simple in my own cupboards. I only have specific sets of food storage containers: glass ones by Anchor Hocking (with rubber lids), and plastic ones by Rubbermaid that I’ve had for years. I like to have sets because they stack onto each other, making it a more efficient use of space. Whatever containers that you have, pull them all out and nest the ones that are the same size. Go through and find all the lids in your dishwasher or other rooms of the house and match them with the bottoms. You may come across a lot that don’t have matches. Put them aside in a bag or box and store them for a month in case you find them somewhere. But the rest, put them back in the cupboard or drawer where you store your containers. Doesn’t it look so much nicer without all of the loose ones rolling around without matches?
4. Medications and supplements. Whether they are in your bathroom or kitchen cupboards, there are bound to be some expired medications or supplements in your home! Check each bottle for the best before date to see if they are still within that range. Just because this date has passed doesn’t mean that the items is poisonous – it usually means that it has changed nutritional value or effectiveness – but check with your pharmacist if you are unsure about whether you should still take it or not. For any that are expired that you don’t want to keep, take note of what they are. Consider not purchasing such a large bottle next time – even though it is a better deal to get a larger bottle, you may not use all of it, so it really isn’t a “better deal”. And make sure to drop off anything expired at the pharmacy for proper disposal. DO NOT flush any of it down your toilet or toss in the trash, as this can get into the water systems and have detrimental effects.
5. Fridge and freezer. When was the last time you checked on the items at the back or bottom of your fridge/freezer? There may be something scary lurking back there! Just kidding, but it is still a good idea to check. Like all these other spaces, pull everything out! Sort into categories – sauces, produce, meats/cheeses, etc. on your countertop and see if you have duplicates of anything. Check expiry dates on these items, and see if anything has turned (either by sense of smell or sight). Like with medications, if you have items that have expired, consider not purchasing them again, as clearly they were not favourite items. Make sure to wipe out the shelves and drawers before returning anything into the fridge, allowing you to have a fresh start! Organize the items in your fridge according to category – all sauces together, all leftovers together, all produce together – that way you know what you have just by looking in that section. It’ll make creating a grocery shopping list so much easier, because you can tell what you need by just a glance!
Don’t get in a slump this winter. Put on some good music and use the time inside to get your home organized!
