Ha! Ok, so this one is sort of a joke. When we were going room by room, cleaning things out, Mike asked me if we really needed 15 white cake plates and a million teeny pitchers. And my answer was yes! Yes, we do, actually. Because my goal with this minimalism isn't to live in a sterile, blank space. It is to be content with the things we have, and to lose the things we don't need. I love looking at my white dishes. I think they are beautiful. They make my kitchen feel cozy. So I will keep them, and continue to collect them. But you see, the space I have to display them is quite limited. That will help keep my collection in check.
The kitchen seems to be the place where all of the household papers pile up (mail, school papers, Mike's work stuff, etc.). It makes me crazy. To keep it clean, I try to toss or file the papers as soon as I get them. There is almost always still a pile somewhere, but I know it will eventually get taken care of, so I try not to let it bother me too much.
One of my favorite parts of our big clean out was going through my kitchen drawers. It felt so great to get rid of utensils and dishes and small appliances that we never used. I mean, why did we have two waffle makers for goodness sake? Ridiculous. We are down to the basics, things we use almost daily, and it feels really wonderful.
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I'm feeling inspired by you! My niece is going to live with me over the summer to earn money for college/mission and I'm going to have her help me with some projects -- namely major decluttering! P.S. Keep your dishes!! You have a nice collection.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving these posts this week, Stephanie. Thank you so much for sharing what is working for your family. You're inspiring me! One thing that has helped me implement living a simple life over the years is this quote by William Morrison "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." Isn't that just perfect? It's such sound advice.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning that a serious plus side to a small kitchen is the amount of things you hold on to! Love.
ReplyDeleteThat's one thing I have done right. When I needed new dishes I bought white. Just enough and it's worked perfectly. I love how they look and they are so easy to replace just one, if needed. Not having a kitchen overflowing with unnecessary things works so much better for me.
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen is lovely! We have paper piles, too. I finally got a cute little inbox from Target, so at least it all piles up in once place. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. But like you have said, you both need to be on board. I'm know as the throw it out kind of person and eric is the kind that keeps our Blue ray DVD box for a couple years "just in case" we move so we have the box or it breaks and can take it back:) I think less is better. Since we are done having kids I've been getting rid/selling baby stuff. I do have one box of baby stuff I can't part with, but its small and makes me feel good to have it. Also I kept one rubber maid bin of old baby books and toys that I loved and want to keep for grandkids. Anyway, good for you guys and I love your kitchen. so pretty.
ReplyDeleteYou are so inspiring me!!! I have sorted through my closet and my books. The next thing is my kitchen junk drawer and my stationary collection. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and the kitchen looks lovely. thanks for sharing it.
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