How to Deal with an Organizing Fail!
So guess what, folks? I’ve recently had to admit true defeat in the area of freezer organization. Just a few short months ago, I posted all about my new freezer organizing system. Of course it looked all pretty and I couldn’t forget the colorful labels.
Here’s what it looked like then:
However, this is exactly what it looks today:
Yep, that’s right. It really looks more like the before now. My organizing system just didn’t work. It looked great, but that was about it. Getting things out from bins that weren’t on top was a big pain. There was no room to add anything. The bins ended up wasting quite a bit of space. Plus the freezer is a space that the whole family uses, so the system has to be easy for everyone to use.
This wasn’t the first organizing method I tried in the freezer. A couple years I tried using Container Store plastic bins, and that quickly fell apart also.
Therefore, I’ve finally realized that I just need to compromise here. Yes, I would love to gaze at a freezer full of match-y containers and beautiful labels, but that’s just not functional or practical for everyday family use. Therefore, I have accepted the fact that the appearance of the freezer won’t be magazine worthy, and I am instead being super diligent about keeping up with my freezer inventory sheet:
I wrote down every single thing that was in the freezer and am being super diligent about crossing things off when I use them along with adding new things when I put them in the freezer. That way, I just need to glance at this sheet to know what I have. I’m never digging around for something that’s not there, and I don’t forget about things for months. When I make my meal plan, I usually glance at this inventory to see what I have. (Note: This freezer inventory sheet is part of my recipe binder set which you can get here.)
This compromise is working great for us, and I think it really is the long term solution I have been looking for. When it comes to organizing, I really think we all have some fails. It’s important to be willing to tweak or completely overhaul systems that just aren’t working. I also think it is super important to accept that not every square inch of our homes have to be magazine worthy. The point of organizing something is to help our lives function more smoothly – not the other way around. When a system causes more stress than it relieves, it’s definitely time to let it go.
Here’s a super short video where I talk about my freezer fail:
How about you? Have you had any recent organizing fails? How did you handle them?
Copyright 2024, Get Organized HQ.
Leslie Says
Laura, thanks for sharing this with us. I appreciate your honesty and realism, and it’s nice to be reminded I’m not alone in having a very imperfect freezer, lol. I think I will try your inventory idea and not worry about the lack of sustainable organization inside.
LauraJane Says
Post authorGlad you liked it – glad I’m not alone in having an imperfect freezer.
JoDi Says
Don’t feel bad! I’m pretty sure it’s nearly impossible to organize a freezer with containers without wasting a ton of space. I like to buy things in bulk and freeze them so space is my priority when it comes to the freezer. I have found it useful to group like items together and try to be very diligent about keeping them that way so I can quickly look through the shelf with vegetables or meat to find what I want. Years ago, I did keep an inventory on the fridge. I think you’ll find that very useful! I fell off the wagon with that after doing it for a while and never started it again, but after reading your post, I think I might do it again. It really made meal planning so much easier!
LauraJane Says
Post authorYes, true, using containers in the freezer really does waste a lot of space. I also like to buy in bulk and freeze, so space is needed. Great idea grouping like items together. The inventory definitely helps when menu planning. I can use what I have rather than going out and buying something new.
Billie Says
I have two refrigerators and two chest freezers. I have found freezer bags are my very best friend… I freeze everything flat on a cookie sheet and make sure the bag is labeled and dated. You will be surprised how much stuff you can fit in your freezer that way. Even store bought bags of veggies I flatten out or if need be put into a freezer bag so it stays uniform in shape and size and I don’t have a weird bulky thing I’m trying to squeeze in.
As far as my organizing fail: my spices!!! I bought a gazillion identical small containers from the dollar store, plus a shelf thing (looks like stair steps)… put all my spices in, made labels… it looked beautiful! …for about a month. 🙁 I’m about to tackle that chore again and see if I can’t do better this time around. I think all organizing is a bit of trial and error to see what works, and what works for me and my family won’t necessarily work for you and yours, and that’s ok 🙂
LauraJane Says
Post authorFreezer bags are great and allow you to fit a lot in! Good luck on your spices