Thankful for Organizing Containers

 “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
1 Corinthians 14:40

Disorder, for organized people, can be disturbing. It is for me. I like being organized more than I like chocolate. Junk drawers scare me. I’ve heard that alien items, that serve no known purpose, get lost there and are never seen again, like socks that never return from the dryer. It’s an eerie place. “Gimme” pens, that haven’t worked a day in their lives, and undeclared items, from other galaxies and decades, die there. That’s why I’ve made it my life-long mission to save useful things from the mysterious, dead-end, grasp of junk drawers. Stuffing things in dark, crowded drawers doesn’t facilitate simplicity and solace. But, order does, and organizing containers help make that possible. They enable us to use and enjoy things as we should. I’m thankful for anything that makes life easier and my home more manageable.

Organizational tools come with many options of textures, styles, colors, and sizes for various tasks. They bring a useful order that turns stressful, cluttered spaces into serene, decluttered places.

I’m on a quest for order in my cabinets, closets, pantry and garage.  (I’ve given up on my husband’s shop. That’s his creative “junk drawer” and a scary place that I enter with caution.)

We’re currently in a long-term relationship with remodeling, and my desire for complete order is not feasible. However, I started this year with a simple plan to discard, donate, or liquidate one item every day. I’m determined to simplify if it kills me. No…more…junk…drawers! No more storing broken items, saving remnants for “might use it one day” projects. No more holding on to things that have out-lived their purpose or don’t fit our current lifestyle. If we don’t need or want it, it’s gone. 

I’m not a natural-born hoarder, but recently, I realized that we have too much stuff—useful, useless, senseless, and sentimental stuff—more than we need or want. We have stuff we don’t remember having, can’t find, don’t use, and don’t enjoy. It feels so wasteful and surely someone else could use them. As I downsize and let go, I already feel a huge load off my shoulders and I’m just getting started.

There are many resources available online and in stores to keep belongings organized, tidy, and in a specified place. The choices are great. When I have items that need better order, I like to use:

• Mason Jars
• Galvanized, Wire or Wicker Baskets
• Unique Totes
• Plastic Containers
• Cardboard Boxes
• Galvanized Trays
• Shopping Bags
• Vintage Tins

The opportunities are endless and the best time to start is now.

If you feel overwhelmed with too much stuff and are petrified to open a closet or junk drawer, take a deep breath, grab your flyswatter or bat, put on a gas mask and some rubber gloves, and jump in:

• Take everything out of the space
• Clean it really good
• Choose & Install your containers
• Decide which items to discard, donate or liquidate
• Organize the items to keep back into the space
• Step back and enjoy your accomplishment
• Repeat as needed

Notice how order brings a calming peace, joy and new appreciation for what is owned. Look at it through thankful eyes. We’re all blessed with something to be thankful for.

Creation reveals God’s orderliness in beautiful, simplistic ways. It shows us how to bring order to our complex, over-indulgent lifestyles and reminds us about what’s really important.

Bring It Home

What are your favorite types of organizing containers?

Praying for you as we grow together,

Smiles, BRC