Cleaning Out The Clutter... One Week At A Time (Master Bedroom)

With the new year comes all of the good intentions of being more organized in every aspect of life.
Since it's January, I am doing my BEST to turn all those "intentions" into reality.
I believe that when your household clutter is so out of control, so is your life and mind.    It's a lot easier said then done.   "Oh, just clean out, throw out and organize everything and it'll make your life better."   Well, when you really step back and look at all that needs to get done it's a bit paralyzing.   At least for me it is.

I know we are a few weeks into January already but it's been rough around here with my father-in-law in the hospital with serious heart and kidney failure.   I'm doing this now because, A) It's NEEDS to be done..B) I need to get my mind back in the game.. C) I could really use the distraction.  

Better late, then never...right?  

I originally was thinking I would do a 31 Day Cleaning/Organizing Challenge, but that quickly became too overwhelming.  After, I typed the whole list on my computer and printed it out, I instantly realized I was being unrealistic and setting myself up for disappointment. I just if I couldn't accomplish something everyday, I would get defeated and give up totally.   I decided it was probably a better idea to give myself a bigger goal but at the same time give myself a longer time frame.    So, I came up with this weekly "Cleaning Out The Clutter" challenge for myself.  

This week it's my bedroom.   I would normally start with an easier room, like the bathroom or laundry room. But I really wanted to challenge myself to get a big job done first.

Here's my plan:

• under the bed 
• both night stand drawers 
• both dressers 
• tv/entertainment center shelves and cabinet 
• closets  (This will be the worst job of them all.  Both my husband's closet and mine are packed  from floor to ceiling with clothes and shoes.    The saddest part is that probably 75% of what's in there, is stuff  we wouldn't ever wear or doesn't fit.)    
• vacuum and steam clean the rug 
• new curtain for window 

Are you doing a cleaning, organizing or decluttering challenge?    I love hearing about how other people tackle their household chores.  

I'll be back every Sunday to update my progress and hopefully move on to another room.  

Tackle It Tuesday

Can you believe it's Tuesday again already?   Well it is and that means it's time for another Tackle It Tuesday  task.    This week the challenge is to clean out and organize a bathroom drawer.
My bathroom vanity doesn't have drawers.  I use baskets on a shelf above the mirror for toiletries and stuff.   I had just cleaned out and organized those a couple weeks ago, so I choose to do under the sink.  


                                    BEFORE                                          AFTER

I have to say it is kinda weird sharing pictures of my bathroom stuff, but these Tackle Tuesday tasks  have really kept me motivated.    

Do you want to join in on the Clean Home Challenge?   Check out the Facebook group and start whenever you can.  Katrina keeps each week easy to handle so you feel accomplished.  

Tackle It Tuesday

One of my goals for 2013 is to be more organized and sticking to somewhat of a schedule for myself.

Last week my friend Cheryl sent me a link to a  Facebook group 52 Week Clean House Challenge.   Each week we tackle an area in our houses to clean and organize.   I think it's manageable, Katrina makes it so you don't feel totally overwhelmed.   I wouldn't be able to keep up with it if I felt like there was no way I could finish the task in a day or two. 

So, I jumped in this week (Week #3) to clean out a kitchen cabinet.  That's the great thing, you can jump in at any time, and that tasks are so easy you could probably catch up on a few in one week.   

I choose the cabinet under my coffee makers (yes, we have two.. I'm an old fashioned-kinda-girl and like to make a pot of coffee and Chris loves to make all sorts of coffee, tea, cappuccinos and hot cocoas with the Keurig)  We have a bit of a hoarding problem when it comes to travel coffee mugs, as you will see in my "before" picture below.

I have old, old base cabinets that have been in our house for probably 30 years.  About 10 years ago Chris made all new doors with beadboard and I love them, so I never felt the need to buy all new cabinets. 

Ok, like I said we have an issue with buying and keeping travel mugs and cups, so that was the first cabinet I wanted to tackle this week.     

BEFORE 

EVEN PUT NEW CONTACT PAPER DOWN

AFTER

                            BEFORE (ewwww)                                                  AFTER (ahhhh) 

Yay for me!  I can't wait to do all my other cabinets.   I've given myself until next Tuesday to finish all the kitchen cabinets.      

Do you have an cleaning/organizing schedule?  I'd love to hear how you tackle your household chores.  

Don't forget if you want to join the 52 Week Clean Home Challenge, join the Facebook group and start at anytime!