Step 2: Begin With a Drawer

As we contemplate the why and determine that yes, a change needs to take place, the next step is to begin, now.  Procrastination is not an option and is, in its own way a form of clutter.   It clutters your mind with thoughts of “Oh, I’ve got to get to that…”  Stop it, begin today.

Start with a drawer. Perhaps that ever present household “junk drawer”.

Take it out. Physically take the drawer out of the cabinet, desk or dresser and surround it with a wide open space.  An empty table will do, or an open floor.  Empty it, all of it.  Dump everything out so that drawer is nothing but a beautiful box of emptiness.  Notice the dust in the corners, clean it out.   This is your first big step toward minimalism. 

Now look at that pile of whatever used to live inside the drawer and from that make three smaller piles.  Pile one represents what you need to put back in the drawer, pile two is the trash pile and pile three will be given away, relocated or recycled.

Let’s assume that our project is cleaning out the kitchen junk drawer.  The drawer is now empty, and the pile is high.  This is not a trip down memory lane; embracing the day that rubber band found its way into your home or your fondness for that twisty that kept marvelous loaf of bread fresh is not in the equation. Nostalgia is not part of the plan.  We are making quick “keep, don’t keep” decisions.   Trust me, you wouldn’t call it a junk drawer if it had value.   Ready set go… Rubber bands = trash, twisty = trash, hardened glue stick = trash, recipe pad = keep, pocket knife = trash, fork = silverware drawer… grocery flyer = recycle, go, go, go.  Don’t let this project take all day.  If you dumped the whole lot in the trash your life would only be better for it.  This is a baby step.  The risk of monetary or sentimental loss from cleaning a junk drawer is nonexistent. Keep only what is needed, the recipe pad, some pens, tape scissors, glue, a small hammer and perhaps some nails.  Trash or recycle the rest.  

Don’t stop or second guess, your daughter will not need that pocket knife if she goes to camp in high school, she’s only two.  By the time she’s in high school pocket knives will have lasers not blades.  Trash it.

When this exercise is completed, toss the trash pile. Now, I mean literally, right now, get rid of it.  Drive to the garbage can outside the quick mart if you must but eliminate it from your home.  You want it out and you don’t want to look at it again. 

The giveaway, recycle pile needs to be given away (i.e. donated) or recycled. And please don’t think giving away means giving it to someone else in your home, that’s not de-cluttering, that’s rearranging clutter.

Organize the items that are left. Organize the drawer with the few items in a way that is functional and useful to you. Remember what is there. When you need that pen, you know were to go, the scissors, always there. Feel the peace and rest in it.

Thank yourself. You made a difference. You took a step toward making a lifestyle change that will change your life.

Increase the peace.

Jim