5 Simple Fixes for Kitchen Clutter

1. Designate a drop spot near the entry you use most so that your mail, keys, purse and wallet don't end up on the kitchen counter or table.

2. Mount hooks for your keys.



3. Your gadgets are likely to end up wherever the chargers are so avoid charging your electronics using kitchen outlets. I have found that one cell phone charging on the counter is HIGLY likely to attract other what-nots like keys and lip balm. We keep our chargers near the computer.



4. Avoid decorative objects on your counters and center pieces on your table. Clutter attracts clutter. If you start with a clean surface, misplaced items are more likely to be noticed and, consequently, put away. Same goes for canisters - try moving them to a cupboard or pantry instead.




And last, but CERTAINLY not least…

5. Resist the urge to create a junk drawer. If you already have one, purge it and find homes (outside the kitchen) for all that "junk."

There you have it - 5 simple fixes for kitchen clutter. Easy peasy, stinky cheesy. ;)

A Montessori-ish Play Space

I am simplifying our play spaces. They weren’t functioning the way I wanted them to so I started voraciously reading about Montessori principles.

I was immediately captivated by the clean, uncluttered spaces that promoted early literacy, math, self-help, fine motor and rest.

After extensive reading, I discovered that I didn’t “buy into” to the Montessori philosophy in its entirety, but that there were definitely aspects that I wanted reflected in our play space.

My Must-Haves
1. Good Design
The space should be uncluttered and everything should be easily accessible to little ones.

2. Promote exploring and learning

In our previous play space, every toy was accounted for - talk about sensory overload!

Before




Confession: Our previous space made me itch a little. That probably explains why we spent very little time there…

Kids are kind of like puppies… give them too few toys, they get bored (and destructive); Give them too many toys, they get bored (and destructive). I decided to pare down and start a toy rotation.
Here is a little tour…





We included a comfy chair with low arms so that the three of us can sit together to read a book or two (or five).

The six cubby unit keeps the area clutter free, organized and the activities are easily accessible. (It will also be easy to rotate new toys in when the kids get bored with these.)

The tent is an all time favorite for my kids. Sometimes they play peek-a-boo from behind the curtain door, and other times they like to sneak away for some quiet time. My favorite is when they go in together and I can’t see them, but can hear them giggling. My least favorite is when they go in together and someone ends up in tears.




The child-sized table is a perfect spot to do something creative like draw or play with play-dough.

The kitchen is a perfect place to “play grown-up,” and a basket of instruments gives them an opportunity to give me a headache make a little music.

As a recap, the must-haves for our Montessori-ish playroom are…

1. Good Design
The space should be uncluttered and easily accessible to little ones.

2. Promote exploring and learning

I hope you enjoyed the tour of our Montessori-ish play space ☺

Sydney likes it!

Less is more

De cluttering can seem overwhelming. A few questions that immediately gave me pause when I started simplifying were: what defines clutter? What if it was a gift? What if I need it again? What if it holds sentimental value? What now?

Well, I have discovered that each one of those questions is (fairly) easily answered.

1. What is clutter? Anything that gets in the way of completing a specific task is clutter, and anything you don't use or (really) love is clutter. (e.g. a centerpiece that has to be moved every time you sit down to dinner).

2. What if it was a gift? So what. Rest assured, the gift giver did not intend to give you something that would collect dust or that you would keep FOREVER. See answer to question 1.

3. What if I need it again? You likely won't, but if you are worried put it in a box and let some time pass before getting rid of it. Also, really think about the word "need" as it is often confused with the word "want."

4. What if it holds sentimental value? Objects don't hold memories. You do.

5. What now? Donate it to benefit someone else or sell it to pay down debt.

When you are done, you won't just have less stuff. You will have more time, more money, and more energy to focus on what really matters to you. Less is more.

Well planned hoarding

For the last few weeks, I have been reading essay upon essay, blog post upon blog post about minimalism. I have been inspired and encouraged more times than I can count and feel more motivated and peaceful than I have in a very long time.

What I have discovered during these early stages of simplification is that the desire has ALWAYS been there. Even looking back to when I first started blogging, my intent was to focus on making life easier so that I could focus on what was important. So my plan was to organize the crap out of my house. My "aha" moment was when I read a blog post that described organizing as well planned hoarding. I thought, "Ha! Yeah it is!!" Another blogger said something to the affect of "if you purge what you don't need/use/love, you will discover that you don't need all of those organization solutions." Touché!

The times in my life that I have felt the "lightest" (figuratively speaking) have been when I focused on the essentials and when I didn't waste time and energy hyper-focusing on my appearance, money, or "stuff." Those times included daily devotions, time with friends and family, prayer, meals, and spending time outdoors. Those things have always been and remain important, but "stuff" was always getting in the way. I was spending more time caring for my "stuff" than I was spending with my family, on myself, or in prayer combined. I needed to simplify in a BIG way. The first thing I did was unsubscribe to home blogs that reinforced/encouraged (me) to acquire more "stuff" or find discontent in what I have or don't have.

I have parted with (and designated "for sale") a lot of stuff. I mean A LOT! It is simultaneously invigorating and depressing. I so wish I had come to this realization sooner. I could have spared myself so much heartache, time, and money. But, I am moving on! I will not dwell in the past. I will move forward with renewed purpose and focus.

I snapped a few pictures to illustrate my journey towards "doing more of what I love with less."

I used this "thing" (I don't even know what to call it), as a centerpiece. I filled the jars with some coffee beans and then put votives in each jar. It appeals (or did) to my design aesthetic because it is "primitive" looking and I like candles. However, when I really took some time to think about it, it (and the runner underneath) just got in the way of meals with my family and collected dust. Buh-bye! :)


I also cleared the counters of anything without a purpose. Already, the kitchen has started "taking care of itself."


After a good purge, the only function my nightstand serves now is a home for a bedside lamp, my bible, and some paper.


It feels good to clutter-bust, and as an added bonus, my brain feels clutter-free too :).

Simplify

Confession: I have a "stuff" problem. So much so that I am CONSTANTLY buying baskets to put my "stuff" in. I've come to the realization that I place waaaaay too much importance on material possessions, but they aren't really "important" to me. You read me?

I want to live simply…live with less, and do MORE of what I love. Enter my new goal: SIMPLIFY.

I don't really know where to start, but I do know that I want this to be long term. So, I am going to start slow. If I purge too fast, I know myself well enough to know that I run the risk of going on a spending spree to replace what I purged. Classic Sarah.

My plan is simple. I am either going to donate or sell our "excess."

I am slowly going through our home (systematically), examining its contents, and asking myself these questions:

1. Do I use/need it?

2. Does it add value (not monetary) or meaning to our life?

If the answer to either question is yes, then it stays. If the answer is no, then I ask myself another question…

3. Is someone likely to buy it? (Yes items are noted for garage sale)

If the answer is no, I ask myself one more question…

4. Could someone else need/benefit from this?

No? Trash. Yes? Into a box for donations it goes.

I am hoping this is just the beginning of something great for our family… time will tell. If you are on a similar journey or already living a "less is more" lifestyle, all tips, suggestions and words of wisdom are much appreciated. :)

This is definitely different than any kind of purge I've done before so, like I said before, I'm taking it slow. Radical change doesn't happen over night :)…though my husband might say his Type A wife sometimes attempts just that…