The Little Space That Saved My Evening

If you’ve ever opened a cabinet and wondered how quickly you could clear it out if you had to, you’re not alone. Most of us don’t think about those small, tucked-away spaces until something unexpected happens. And last night, my kitchen sink reminded me why those quiet organizing decisions matter more than we realize.

When the Unexpected Happens

I turned on the dishwasher, heard a sound that didn’t quite belong, and opened the cabinet under the sink. Water was coming straight down from the pipes. One of those moments where your brain goes, Okay, we’re doing this now.

Without thinking too hard, I grabbed my cleaning caddy with one hand and the trash can with the other. That was it. Nothing else was in the way. Nothing else got wet. No scrambling. No panic. Just quick, calm action.

Why Containment Changes Everything

There are a couple of dozen items in that caddy - dish soap, cleaning solutions, trash bags, sponges, etc. But they were all together. Contained. Protected.

I don’t keep endless cleaning products—partly because I use Norwex and you truly don’t need a lot when you use safe, high quality products, but mostly because I like knowing exactly where things are. That one choice meant the mess stayed minimal, nothing was damaged, and cleanup was simple.

My wonderful husband grabbed the sink snake, fixed the clog, added a little Teflon to the pipe, and we were done. Thirty minutes, start to finish. Easy. Truly easy.

A Gentle Question for You

So now I’ll ask you the same question I’ve been thinking about since last night: what’s under your kitchen sink? And if you had to empty it quickly, could you?

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about readiness. About creating small pockets of calm that quietly support you when life throws a surprise your way. One contained space can turn a stressful moment into a manageable one.

Organizing doesn’t just make things look better—it helps life run more smoothly. Every time something works the way it’s meant to, you get a little gift of ease. And those moments add up.

Pinky Jackson is a Decluttering Specialist and Home Organizing Expert. If you need expert organizing help, don't hesitate to reach out. Pinky and her team would love to help you. Onsite Organizing services are available in the Louisville, KY area and Virtual Organizing services are offered for clients in other locations and for those who prefer to work online. Visit pinkyjackson.com to learn about our services and schedule a free assessment.

Photo: Ketut Subiyanto @ketut-subiyanto