Three weeks ago, a couple of days into self-isolation, there was a funny meme going around about how we should all stop mopping and shining our floors because that was a “day 15 of quarantine task.” It was too soon for such a painstaking chore. Now that about twenty days have passed, it does feel like my daily household projects are getting a little more detailed, bordering on fussy. I have busted out the label maker. Things are getting serious.
Although we are all healthy for now, it is starting to feel like it’s not a matter of if we get sick, but when. Sooner rather than later seemed like a good time to take inventory and organize the first aid supplies. If we end up taking care of each other, It is crucial that everyone can find the medicine.
This post contains affiliate links.
Priding myself on being a borderline minimalist, I assumed there would not be much to sort. Wow! I was wrong. Every closet and drawer seemed to have a little stash of something, meds, bandaids, gauze, and the initial pile covered my desk.
First, I tossed some expired meds. Since it’s not a good idea to leave the house now, I kept useful topical and sealed tablets past their expiration dates, but I tossed out anything expired that was subject to contamination, such as eye drops and bottles with loose pills.
Next, I sorted everything according to use.
After that, I went a little off the rails. Last year, I bought this cute little hanging first aid box for the scary bathroom. There is not a ton of cabinet space in there, and a hanging option made the most sense. Until now, installing it never reached the top of my extensive to-do list. Priorities change.
Since the box was plain white metal, I decided to paint a little red first aid cross on it. See what I mean about off the rails? I’m crafting.
After a quick Google search, I located a first aid symbol that I liked, and I brainstormed ways to transfer it onto the box. While I do have had plenty of stenciling experience, I didn’t have anything such as waxed or freezer paper for this small scale project. So, I printed the image onto regular paper and stuck it onto the box with dabs of honey. Times are hard. I couldn’t find a glue stick. Watch out, school, and art supplies. You’re next.
After weighing my options, I decided to trace the design on the box with a pencil and hand-paint it with an art brush. Using leftover red paint from the basement, I carefully painted around the symbol.
The design took two coats of paint. Is it perfect? No, it is not. Do I care? No, I do not. I’m only one part meticulous. The other part of me is a free spirit, thrilled to complete a project without spending extra money.
This first aid kit is mostly for my kids, so I filled it with items they can use with little direction from me. I reused Altoid tins, and I filled the empty prescription bottles with herbal cough drops.
After we dismantled the doll apartment (sob), I saved two small stackable bins with drawers. They were perfect for storing everything else. Here is where I got a little label happy.
When I shared this photo on my personal Facebook page, I received mixed reactions. Comments ranged from “You are my hero,” (These are my friends, after all.) to the laughing crying emoji. I get it. There’s a lot to digest here. Perhaps I went too far.
The COVID-19 drawers are full of items we can use for any common illness, but they are also useful for treating the symptoms of COVID-19. If we are all feeling genuinely awful, everything will be at our fingertips.
I think many of us are seeking a little bit of control during a very unsettling time. How we are handling it probably looks a bit different for everyone.
In the meantime, I will cross my fingers, knock on wood, and rub the lucky rabbit’s foot that everyone stays healthy and that we can flatten that dang curve sooner rather than later.
I’m thinking about you all.
PS: One housekeeping note: If you previously subscribed to the blog, and you no longer get notifications of new posts, you may have to subscribe again. (top, right side of this post) I do not know what happened. I think the interface disappeared during an update.
