Unpacking with Purpose

In this new little place I call home, I’ve been letting myself ease into the unpacking part of moving.

Some things came first:

Organizing my closet so I could get dressed easily in the morning and get to work on time.

Finding my linens and making my bed so I could sleep.

Organizing the kitchen so I could feed myself.

Unearthing enough bathroom supplies so I could stay clean.

However, other things I’ve let go at a slower pace. I’ve done this for two reasons.

Reason #1: I want to unpack with purpose so it goes into its place organized.

I don’t want to put things behind closed doors or under beds or into containers just so it is out-of-the-way. Actually, I want to unpack quite the opposite.

See, if things are sitting around and out-of-place, it bugs me. I want everything to have its place – but not only have a place but have its right place. A place that makes sense to me. A place that is organized. Not just a place that is hidden. That’s not really unpacked to me.

So when it takes me 6 hours to organize the kitchen, I’m okay with that. Because everything has its right place – with a pretty lining underneath. That makes me feel better than setting the record for unpacking an apartment.

Reason #2: I want to observe how I live in this space and let that dictate where I put things.

Sometimes that means putting off buying things or unpacking things for a while to allow yourself to observe how you are functioning in the space. Where do you really reach when you get your drinking glasses? What side of the shower do you really get in on so you know where to put your conditioner (meaning not knocking it off the side of the tub every time you step in)?

Watching how you live can make your life easier – and you won’t have to reorganize a few weeks in.

Another positive about watching how you live in a house is that it can actually save you money.

For example, I came from a house with a trash compactor so I didn’t have a trash can to bring with me. I put off buying one because they are just so darn expensive. Plus, I wasn’t exactly sure the style and size I wanted. So I decided to just use a plastic grocery bag until I figured out what I wanted. Turns out, I would be SO MAD if I had bought the tall stainless one I had been contemplating. I don’t want to look at my trash can all day long. Floor space is too valuable in this place. I would rather have a small under the sink one. For one person living here and a dumpster in the parking lot (meaning I can take the trash out daily, nay hourly, if I want to) there was no need to buy a huge one that would take up too much room. So now I know I can spend $7 on a small, white plastic one and be perfectly content.

So Little Miss Organization here is actually preaching that it’s okay to stay a little messy for a little longer. Yup, keep those boxes around until you’re feeling comfortable about unpacking with purpose!