From Junk Drawer to a More Organized Home
The principles you just applied to your junk drawer—Edit, Contain, Label, Maintain—are universal. You have successfully run a pilot program for organizing any small space in your home. The confidence you’ve gained from this single project can now be applied to other clutter hotspots, like a medicine cabinet, a spice rack, or the cabinet under the sink.
Let’s look at how you can immediately apply these skills to another common problem area. A cluttered medicine cabinet can be not just frustrating but also a safety concern, particularly for older adults who may manage multiple medications.
WORKED MINI-EXAMPLE 2: Applying the Principles to a Medicine Cabinet
1. Edit:
Empty the entire cabinet. Check the expiration date on every single item—medications, ointments, and supplements. Anything expired must be disposed of safely. Do not just flush medications or throw them in the trash, as this can be harmful to the environment and others. For clear instructions on how to safely dispose of unused medicines, you can consult guidance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) or find a local take-back program through the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Also remove any items that don’t belong in a bathroom environment (medications should be stored in a cool, dry place, and a steamy bathroom is not ideal) and relocate them.
2. Contain:
Group the remaining items into logical categories. For instance: “Pain & Fever,” “Cold & Allergy,” “First Aid,” and “Digestion.” Use small, clear, modular bins (like 4×6-inch or 5×7-inch acrylic trays) to contain each category. Using clear containers allows you to see the contents at a glance.
3. Label:
Using your label maker with a large, clear font, label the front of each bin with its category name. This is especially important for safety, as it reduces the chance of grabbing the wrong item in a hurry. Position the labels so they are easy to read at eye level.
4. Maintain:
Set a recurring calendar reminder for every six months to do a quick expiration date check. This ensures your supplies are always current and safe to use. When you buy a new bottle of pain reliever, practice the “One-In, One-Out” rule, bringing the older bottle to the front to be used first.
By following these exact same steps, you can methodically and calmly bring order to any small space. Each success builds momentum, making the goal of a peaceful, organized home feel less like a dream and more like an achievable reality.
