29 Day Organizing Challenge - Update #3

Making Progress! I'm working my way through the P.R.O.C.E.S.S. If you would like to read about the beginning of this adventure you can check out these posts:
Taking the Challenge
Update #1
Update #2

 

During 'R' mode (Removing everything from cabinets) we filled 3 trash bags headed for the dumpster and 3 boxes headed to GoodWill. How is that for purging?


I'm finishing up 'C' mode right now --  Containerizing. This is fun, like playing a game or assembling a puzzle. I collected unused baskets and bins from around the house, plus those emptied earlier in this Process. I also picked up a few at the Dollar Tree and WallyWorld.





As the containers are filled and labeled and find new homes in the cabinets, I find myself in 'E' and 'S' modes -- Evaluate, Solve, Simplify. I have to step back from time to time and ask myself questions like "are we REALLY going to use these?" "is there TRULY enough room for all this?" "will we ACTUALLY use this space in this way?" I had a few grandiose ideas about how I was going to shake things up and get with the program and make this the most awesome hobby center ever! Whoa, Girl! Pull back on the reins! GET REAL! For the most part, we've become accustomed to this area housing toys, craft and hobby supplies, and our sewing center. So, knowing that re-training new habits is something I was just not up to right now, I made choices to purge and condense and fit items back into similar groupings, and back into the same general areas. This is what is going to work for my family. The toys are pretty much done, the kids craft supplies are done, the scrapbooking and beading supplies are nearly finished. I still need to get photo boxes for storage and decide which drawer/cabinet the beading will go into. And then there is the sewing center. My fabric stash is taken care of, but I still have some work to do installing a wall organizer unit for all my notions and tools. Luke said he'd help me with that at the beginning of next week (he promises we'd have it done by Wednesday night. I LOVE having handy-men in the family!)

Here are a few 'Before' and 'After' Pictures for you.

art supplies before containerizing

art supplies after containerizing

toys before purging, sorting, containerizing

toys after purging, sorting, containerizing

And so, I am breathing a little easier now, but still have a ways to go. It's do-able! Yes, indeed we are going to do it! On March 1st I'll be posting a Big Reveal post, showing off our finished Hobby Room. (Ok, everyone will still call it The Basement or Downstairs . . . but me . . . after all this? Hobby Room it's going to be!) So be sure to check back next week for the  final result.

To see what others are doing this month as they take on the challenge, you can check out today's link up at I'm an Organizing Junkie.