The Organized Life archives

THE FABULOUS DRAWER™

Dear Subscriber,

Many of us have a place where we keep things that we off-handedly refer to as the "junk drawer". But I have to tell you, that phrase really bothers me.

We take it for granted, the junk drawer, but the phrase is more complex than it seems. Because when you refer to something -- anything! -- in your home as "junk", in a sense you are referring to something about yourself that is junk. That is a form of negative self-talk.

Negative self-talk is the monologue that goes on inside our heads, creating a roadblock to progress in our lives. We all need to fight against this insidious voice, a voice that that puts us down and sows the seeds of self-doubt. Telling yourself that something you own is "junk" is a way of saying that you aren't worthy of surrounding yourself with things you love, or of living in a beautiful home that supports you in every way.

The irony of junk drawers is that they frequently contain some of the most useful stuff we own. Plus, they're usually located in central locations, giving us easy access to the things inside.

So let's take a look into one such drawer -- in my house! It's in the kitchen, right near my front door, and it contains a pretty wide assortment of stuff.

I've changed its name, though; I call it my "Fabulous Drawer™."

Peeking Into The Fabulous Drawer

Every time I open this drawer, my first thought is -- oh, it's chaos in here! But then I recognize the essentials inside: small change, a tape measure, a box cutter, extra eyeglass cases (in the back, keeping everything from sliding around), extra sets of house keys, IDs, two small flashlights, glasses-cleaning cloths, an old change purse of my Mom's that reminds me of her... and a rotating assortment of other things that come to rest there.

My husband and I organize this stuff in small bowls and baskets we've picked up in our travels; the change in a small silver bowl that's a family heirloom, the extra keys in a beautiful African wire basket. So things we love are present, even in a place that's mostly hidden from view.

We call it Fabulous because so many small, essential things "live" there. It gives us a way to use souvenirs that might otherwise become clutter. And whenever something small seems to be missing, we know we're likely to find it in our Fabulous Drawer.

There's No Such Thing As A Junk Drawer

You may think you have lots of drawers with "junk" inside; I've seen this in many households. But with a bit of focus and effort, and with Intention, you can transform them from clutter magnets into storage that makes your life easier.

Follow the steps below to create drawers that have identities as unique as your fingerprints. At the end of the process, every drawer will have a purpose, whether it contains items that are important but otherwise unconnected or specific things like silverware and light bulbs. The essential miscellany of your life is about to become Fabulous.

Diving In

Take a deep breath and begin. First, fish everything out and put it on a nice big surface. Savor the experience I so often have with my clients when we're overhauling their "junk" drawers: the "discovery moments".

First there's the, "Oh, I’ve been looking for this everywhere!" moment. There's nothing like the relief of unearthing something important and giving it a home, so you can find it when you need it.

I've been in situations where we've discovered missing keys, driver's licenses, and checkbooks that had gone astray. In fact, the home for this stuff may end up being the very drawer we're in the process of creating. It's already home -- you just didn't realize it.

Next comes the "Gee, I didn't know I still had this" moment. It's great to rediscover meaningful things you love. It might be an old photo or postcard, or a small souvenir from your travels. Now's the time to give it a place where it will receive the honor and respect it deserves.

And finally there's the ultimate "junk" moment: "Wow, this is trash!" Here's your opportunity to purge the true "junk", exactly as defined in the dictionary: "articles that are worn out or fit to be discarded." By all means get rid of it. Now you have every right to stop calling this a "junk" drawer.

A Fabulous Drawer™ of Your Own

You're almost done. Dust out the drawer, track down a few small containers that fit easily inside; perhaps you'll finally make use of your basket and bowl collection. Gather together your small essentials, put them in their new containers, and close the drawer.

Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of a Fabulous Drawer™. Treat it that way from here on out and it will enhance your life -- and change your inner monologue.

I'm on my way to Minneapolis this week for NAPO's annual conference, and I'm especially excited to be going since my election as 2007-08 President of the New York chapter. I'll be listening closely for great organizing advice to bring you in future issues of the Organized Life newsletter.

Until next month, Happy Organizing!

Sincerely,

Ann Bingley Gallops
The Organized Life

P.S. Listen in to a Sirius radio interview that a client and I did recently on the Martha Stewart Living show.  Hope you enjoy it!

ORGANIZING DISCOVERY OF THE MONTH

Searching for a way to store broad-brimmed hats and accessories without crushing them, and so that you know what you've got?  Here's a great solution from The Container Store, a clear hatbox.  It's attractive, well-sized, and holds multiple hats stacked on one another, but it's also great for scarves, gloves, or what have you.  You'll never lose track of these things again.

ABOUT Ann Bingley Gallops

Ann is a Feng Shui consultant and Decluttering Consultant in New York City, specializing in improving the energy flow and organization of homes and businesses.  She is 2007-2008 President of the New York chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO-NY).

GETTING IN TOUCH

Call or write to schedule a Feng Shui or Decluttering consultation for your home or office in the New York City area.

And please drop me a line with comments, questions, or suggestions for future newsletters.

Ann Bingley Gallops
The Organized Life
646-382-3878
ann@theorganizedlife.net
www.theorganizedlife.net