But first, here’s a quick quiz:
When working on an organizing project, the first step is to:
a) head to the store and buy containers
b) make a plan!
c) clarify your goals for the project.
Answer: c
For many, the first step is to run head out to the store and buy the latest and greatest storage bins, baskets, totes, buckets, or what ever your container of choice may be … but if you don’t know what you need to store, you can get home and feel as if you’re trying to cram a square peg into a round hole. It’s far better to start with your goals … and buy storage containers a bit later in the process.
Here’s a related tip from page 100 of The Happy Scrapper…
Know what you need. Before shopping for storage solutions, know which items you need to store. Know how much of an item you have, how you use it, where you use it and how much space it takes up. Then look for the perfect storage solution or container.
I’ve been guility of this many times. I am learning though to assess my needs first then seek options for storage.
I consider myself an organizing FREAK but rarely have a plan. I am always inspired first by seeing a container then I can picture stuff in it. Rarely do I plan out what I am going to put where and then build/buy/create the organizational solution. One day my mom gave me this old tool caddy the same time dh brought home old canning jars some lady was giving away at work and viola! I had pictured the perfect place to keep all my colored pencils, journaling pens, MM rub-ons…etc in reach on my desk. And I love to look at it!