Clutter-Be-Gone!

Here we go again- week 3!

The challenge this week was to go around the room and put away all that little stuff that has a place, but you just haven’t gotten to putting away yet.

I didn’t get as much done as I would’ve liked, but I think it’s pretty important for me to keep blogging about how things are going regardless.

This is the sink area in the back of my room, where I store snacks, food supplies, and supplies for students to access as needed.

Before:

After:

Many of these things could fit in the cabinets, when I just took the time to organize them better! It’s much easier to find what I need back there now. I still need to do something with the pocket chart back there (yellow blob), and figure out a better use for the trays to the left, but the junk is gone.

My desk area has definitely been slowly making progress, too. It’s slow- but it’s getting there.

Before:

After:

This area is still somewhat cluttered, but I went through my pens, pencils, and markers to throw out those not working (and put in my new Christmas pens). I also put lots of little things back where they belong, and started using the blue bucket above as a catch-all for Post-Its, tardy notes, and the other *little* things that find themselves onto my desk. Eventually, I think I want a better solution, but it’s better for now.

I think going through some of the clutter is helping me see which systems are not working. I don’t have a great way to store papers copied ahead (probably in part because I’m not usually working very far ahead!). I need a different place to put scrap paper that students can use for bookmarks (because it’s currently sharing a space and not working!). I need to have a place for extra copies, and another place for copies that I file (and I need a way to make sure I actually file them, too!)

I still have areas that I need to “purge,” but I’m seeing little bits of progress, and I’m excited to keep going!

It’s not too late to join, if you want :) Check out the other participants in this week’s challenge here.

Time to go enjoy breakfast!

P.S.- I have Internet back at home again, and I love it!