The Intentional Home, Week Two: Monday

For an Introduction and Table of Contents for The Intentional Home, click Here.

Week Two: Monday

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. 
Proverbs 14:1

STOP: Before moving forward and starting Week Two, I want to make sure we are all on the same page. If you have not completed all of the tasks (not chores), but just the “decluttering” tasks of week one, then go back and start that week over. We’ll meet you back here next week!

You’re back! Great! That means I didn’t scare you off last week. Maybe you’re starting to see the benefits of a little hard labor in the wonderful peaceful bedroom that you created last week. Hopefully, you are finding the load of laundry a day and keeping up with the dishes to be beneficial as well, not to mention that freshly made bed.

This week, we are going to be tackling our bathrooms. Yes, we will be pulling everything out from under those counters and drawers. If you’re like me, it’s always a little interesting what can be lurking down there forgotten! This week you will most likely be throwing away a lot, I hope this makes you reconsider buying green nail polish next time the mood strikes you, ha!

We will also be scrubbing the bathrooms down. You’re bathrooms will sparkle and then I will give you a simple system to keep them that way. Sound good? Let’s get started!

Why not just jump right in and tackle under the cabinets? Let’s target one cabinet at a time. Start by pulling everything out of that cabinet. If I were you, I would pick my easiest cabinet to “declutter” first and that will help you build momentum to get the job done. You’re going to need a trash bag for this job. I don’t know what’s lurking in your cabinets, but I’m going to guess hair products, make up, cleaning products, medicine, a bag of nail polish and maybe towels. 

Once again, be ruthless! If you didn’t even remember it was down there, it might be time to part with it. Or, it might be a pleasant surprise if it happens to be something that you can use. Say goodbye to old make up, nail polish, even that hair product that your stylist talked you into buying and you only used once. Check dates on any medicine and be sure to toss anything expired. This might start getting uncomfortable as you are throwing away things that you did spend money on. I want you to remember this feeling, because this will help you be more careful about future purchases.

While the cabinet is empty, wipe it down with a damp rag. You will want to group like items together. For instance, all the hair products together, make-up together, and cleaning products together. If you have any little plastic containers or baskets, that will be helpful. If you could use some, you can find these handy little plastic bins at the dollar stores where everything is actually a dollar. Always, shop around your house first before going out and buying anything. Put the things in the back that you only need on occasion and the things in the front that you use more frequently.

Repeat this process for all the cabinets, medicine cabinet and any drawers if you happen to have them.

Now, next time you are at the store and see that nail polish (insert the thing that really annoyed you to throw away here) remember all those that you just threw out and reconsider the purchase. You may have also found some lost gems back there like a new bottle of lotion. If you have more than one bathroom repeat this process in the other bathrooms.

I want you to be in prayer daily as you continue this process. Ask for the time to be able to commit to this job and for God’s grace to cover you. Please do not feel pressured this week if these jobs are taking longer than the time I have allotted. Slow and steady is much better than getting overwhelmed and not finishing the race!  

Daily Chores:

One load of laundry from start to finish

Make your bed

Unload the dishwasher in the morning, load and run it at night

Wipe down the kitchen counters and sink