Step 1: Select Your Space
Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, founders of The Home Edit, say to "pick a spot based on where you use the products, the size of the space, and if the area is climate controlled and away from children and pets."
As a twentysomething living in a 700-square-foot one bedroom in the middle of a major city, I need to be small-space savvy as my options are very limited. My bathroom cabinet has historically doubled as a storage space for extra linens, dishwashing detergent and hidden holiday and birthday presents out of pure necessity. So, bathroom cabinet it is.
Step 2: Clear Out and Group
Per The Home Edit, "check expiration dates and take inventory of what you have and need, especially as many of us have purchased new health products during the pandemic."
Fortunately/unfortunately, I'm working with such limited space that I haven't allowed for expired products to contribute to clutter. We’re good there. However, I'm a noted self-care connoisseur, collecting any serum, cream, lotion or fragrance that even remotely appeals to me. Taking inventory of what I actually need is sobering and a struggle. I start by sorting out products that I tried once or twice but didn't ultimately like, then migrate my most used products to the makeshift vanity in my bedroom. Boom: Half a shelf, now empty.
Step 3: Creating a System
Next step: "organization should balance the least amount of effort without sacrificing efficiency. Create designated zones that have a specific purpose and product, such as immune health versus sick/must-have items."
Clea and Joanna also recommend adding bins to group similar products. I grabbed my plastic organizers and sorted almost all my belongings into corresponding areas: One for medicines and vitamins, one for COVID essentials and another for all of the products my partner owns (which, to my shame, only takes up one medium-sized bin altogether).
Step 4: Be Ready to Go
The Home Edit recommends creating grab-and-go systems, like a "sick day" system so you’re prepared if and when symptoms strike.
Inspired, I created a station to function as a one-stop shop for all things illness as cold and flu season merges with COVID. For peace of mind, my bottom shelf contains an ever-rotating supply of BinaxNOW Self Tests to give me quick answers on the state of my health in 15 minutes flat. To the right of the tests, in the event of symptoms, I have over-the-counter medicines, cough drops and Pedialyte packets to help with hydration. Pro-tip: stack your BinaxNOW Self Tests with the expiration date facing upward for easy grabbing.
And since it's clear that I’m a planner, I also made a grab-and-go kit for travelling with cough drops, immune boosters and tissues.
Step 5: Label to Easily Find
Clea and Joanna say that "labels add a layer of instructions that help you find what you’re looking for and guide you where to put items away." I grab a few stickers and label accordingly.
And because I'm an overachiever (a common side effect of being a planner), in true The Home Edit fashion, I rainbow-fied my self-care shelf.
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