Finally cleared off the third shelf of my bookcase after 6 months of clutter

I had this one shelf that just became a dumping ground for random cables, old notebooks, and a mousepad I never used... it looked awful. Last weekend I spent about 20 minutes sorting everything into a small bin under my desk, and now my whole setup feels twice as open. Anyone else have that one spot that just collects junk no matter what?

3 comments

3 Comments

craig.mila4d ago

Labels are weird like that, it's like they trick your brain into thinking it's a real system instead of just a pile lol. The whole "call it something specific" thing reminds me of how naming a file on your desktop makes you actually sort it instead of leaving it as "untitled".

the_linda4d ago

...and that little bin under the desk is honestly a lifesaver. I've got a corner of my nightstand that's the same way, just a magnet for receipts and loose change. What worked for me was grabbing a small plastic tray from the dollar store and labeling it "misc stuff" so I actually toss things in there instead of piling them up. The key is just having a designated spot that's easy to reach, cause if it's too much effort it'll just end up right back on that shelf. Feels good to finally see the whole surface again though.

the_christopher4d ago

Have you found that labeling the tray actually makes a difference in whether you use it? I ask because I tried something similar, throwing a basket on my kitchen counter for mail and keys. But I never labeled it, and it just turned into a mess again within a week. Maybe I need to be more specific with the label, like "incoming mail" instead of just "stuff." I wonder if the act of labeling forces you to commit to what goes in there, so you don't just toss random junk in it. Seems like a small detail but might be the whole trick.