Top 10 Home Organization Challenge

Welcome back to life!  I have to admit, as much as I enjoyed the long Christmas break, the last couple of days I was starting to get a little stir crazy.  Turns out too much lounging around isn’t necessarily a good thing!  I was sad to see our Christmas decor go, and now our home looks so bare.  My son takes after me and was sad too.  Last year, I welcomed all the clean and clear spaces.  This year, I’m anxious to bring the feeling of life back.  Bye, bye Christmas tree!  Until next year . . .

On to January, the month where cleaning and organizing takes center stage as we try to declutter and simplify our homes as well as our hectic and busy lives.  We tend to keep things pretty clean and organized around here, but, like any household, we have our “trouble spots” or areas that need a good clean out and reorganization every once in a while.  Places like our pantry usually require a yearly refresh.  And the paperwork is a never-ending process.

Instead of doing a broad “get organized” challenge this month, I brainstormed a list of the Top 10 areas of our house that really need attention and came up with the following list:  Refrigerator, Pantry,  Cleaning Supplies, Gadgets/Cords, Paperwork, Clothes, Kid Clothes, Mudroom Cabinets, Linen Closet/Medicine Cabinet, and Toys.

I know that many of these areas will take a good bit of time to complete, so I’m not setting unrealistic goals like complete a job everyday, but I will spend some time each day working toward getting them done.  My big goal would be to complete them all this January.
To map it out, I went ahead and created a loose calendar schedule for when I plan to do each task.  Blogging the whole process will take longer due to the before and after photos, so I’m accounting for that too.   First up will be tomorrow where I tackle the fridge.  After that, the pantry and so on.
I made a blank list for you too in case you’d like to organize along with me.  I’d be curious to hear what spots top your list!
Update: You can see the organizing challenges I’ve completed so far here:
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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

25 Comments

    1. I know what you mean! I realized after I got my craft supplies organized what I actually had and what I definitely did NOT need to buy more of! And I use my stuff more when it's easily accessible.

  1. Oh my goodness- I've been working on something like this, too and have a feeling we're not the only ones. I love the holidays, but they definitely cause me to neglect regular organization and cleaning. This should be a fun and busy month!

    1. I miss the Christmas decor this year and everything feels so bare- but you're right, it is causing me to get these spaces all cleaned up and organized!

  2. I am considered by all my friends to be the most organized and an anti-hoarder! But, boy, do you have me beat!! And my son is in college! It wasn't as easy when I had a little one and all the toys. You're amazing!

    1. I always think I have it pretty easy with just one son and one who actually likes to keep things organized! I admire all those families with multiple children!

  3. Yay for getting organized and Happy New Year! I had to laugh this year b/c we are moving in Feb so I kept thinking "aaargh" as my son opened each Christmas gift. Oh well, we will just need to discard something old for every new thing to get ready for all the packing…

  4. I am feeling an organizing bug as well, and I just shared my list of priority organizing projects on my blog today. But mine is more of a full year list… I am impressed with how ambitious you are to tackle all of these projects in January! Reclaiming our garage is number one on my list {as soon as the weather allows}, as well as under our bathroom sinks and the toy closet in our basement. I look forward to following along with your progress!

    1. I might be too ambitious! But, I don't want the organizing projects to drag on all year. By February for sure these Top 10 should be accomplished! I want to see your progress too! 🙂

  5. Ooh I like this! We already purged my closet, the kids' closets, and the kids' toys and books (donated everything to the younger classes at daycare). I definitely need to organize my paperwork and desk. My husband and I also made a wish list of home improvement we want to make to our yard, office, bedroom, etc.

  6. Your foyer looks so fresh and pretty with the flowers. They really pop against the stripes on the wall. I am pretty organized overall so the main thing I need to focus on for the new year is relaxing and taking time for myself. I know that sounds silly but I am so busy taking care of my son (total care) and staying on top of all of my to do's and medical paperwork for him that I never take time for myself. I have systems and routines in place for nearly everything in my day so I feel good about that and nothing is really out of control. I am hoping to get back to putting some "me" time into my life; I think that's called balance, lol.

    1. That doesn't sound silly at all! Helping my parents with my Dad's illness gives me a taste of what you go through. It's a lot of physical and emotional stress taking care of someone full time. Making time for you just makes you human. I hope you can carve out that time for you.

  7. I just did my fridge today Megan, such a good feeling! Onto some major toy organising next, plus the home office and somewhere to dump the bags when we walk in the door…. But one thing at a time!! Good luck with your projects 🙂

    1. Hi Wendy! Those stems are from Pottery Barn. My friend Kim gave them to me seriously over 10 years ago when she didn't want them anymore and I've kept them ever since!

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