Last November I tackled the closet in our master bathroom. This closet is part medicine cabinet, part linen closet, and where we store all our first aid and extra products. And it was a hot mess. Like many of my organization projects, I actually didn’t intentionally intend to organize it on the day it happened, but when I was digging around looking for something I just couldn’t take it anymore.
I was purging.
I was tossing.
I was on a mission.
It was time for Operation: USE IT UP.
Just another nugget of inspiration for you as we work through our “22 Ways to Inspire Your 2022”!
To catch up on the 22 Ways to Inspire Your 2022- CLICK HERE
To get it organized, I took every single thing out of the white baskets I have in here. I tossed anything that was expired and sorted everything back into it’s appropriate basket. Our school was doing a toiletry drive (perfect timing!) so I made a pile of unopened things to donate. I then made labels for what is in each basket so hopefully it stays organized moving forward.
Then it was time for the final step. Which is what I called… Operation USE IT UP. What is Operation USE IT UP? Well, it’s where I pulled out all of the half empty bottles and told myself I had to USE IT UP before I could open anything new or buy any more new products.
I had so many half used bottles in my bathroom! So much unnecessary clutter! So many things taking up space. So much “weight” when I opened the bathroom cabinets.
I had tons of half used travel sized bottles from our trips (because apparently I need a brand new shiny one every time I travel?!?), and lots of hotel sized bottles from over the years. And in my defense, my bestie moved across the country last summer and I ended up with a box of her half used products and hotel goodies.
So I pulled out every bottle or product that I identified as something to USE UP and put it in a separate basket. And I did just that! Operation USE IT UP took some extra effort for sure. I was constantly bringing bottles in and out of the shower and it would have been much easier to just grab a brand new big shiny bottle of body wash and ignore all of this. But every time I USED ONE UP I gave myself a virtual high five. (it’s the little things these days)
And because I am super nerdy, I saved them all and counted them for you.
So far, we have USED UP 43 bottles. FORTY THREE.
All of THIS is no longer taking up space in my life.
I hope you are inspired to conduct an Operation USE IT UP in your house too!
xoxo-
Heather
22 WAYS TO INSPIRE YOUR 2022 || TO SEE THE WHOLE SERIES CLICK HERE
1. 2022 Inspiration || Time for An Athleisure Refresh
2. 20 Minute Organizing || The Home Binder
3. Daily Looks || A Date Night Approved Outfit
4. My Three Tips for a Simple January Closet Purge
6. Beat The Winter Blues || Wear A Winter White Outfit
7. Two Home Products I Can’t Live Without
8. The Three Pieces You Need To Build A Beautiful Bracelet Stack
9. Statement Art Anyone Can Make
10. Happy Nails || The Perfect Winter Nail Polish
11. Five Books To Read This Year
12. 20 Minute Organizing || My Home Office
13. Taco Tuesday Mexican Cabbage Soup
14. Daily Looks || Six Closet Staples
15. Five Things I Learned From Riding My Peloton Everyday For 30+ Days
16. My Secret For Looking More Pulled Together
17. 20 Minute Organizing || Gift Wrap Closet
18. Three Ways I Zhuzh Up Grocery Store Flowers
19. Pack Your Bags || All the Travel Essentials
20. 20 Minute Organizing || Operation USE IT UP
21. In a Healthy State of Mind || Yummy & Healthy Breakfast Casserole
22. Daily Looks || Winter to Spring Maxi Skirt
Oh boy! I did this in January of 2021. I also promised myself I would not buy any new bath and body products until I actually needed some. I used to sell Beauty Control so I had tons of stuff. I can honestly say that I have stuck to my plan and am down to the last few bottles, using up two more this morning! What do I do when I receive a gift of bath and body products?…….I put the new away until ALL the older products are gone I still can’t resist bringing home the little bottles from hotels though and that is a problem:)
That is awesome that you have worked through so much of your old stuff. It’s so easy to just keep using the new stuff like you said, but I say use it or lose it and clear out the space!
That’s funny because I started that a year ago also. I am so thrilled when I can throw an empty bottle away.
But… I too have a problem with those cute little Hotel bottles, especially if from a cool place like Hawaii, I asked for new ones just so I could have them! But I have continued to use up for the last year….and I still have half empty bottles in my basket! I find I don’t use as much hand/body cream in the winter, especially on my legs!
I definitely have a problem with the hotel bottles! But what’s the point if I never use them up? Glad we are tackling this little operation!