I recently moved. My previous kitchen was small. My new kitchen is tiny. Although I had decluttered and downsized before the move, I discovered there was not enough room for my dishes, glasses and flatware. Declutter use your best everyday.
My Solution: Declutter Use Your Best for Everyday
I donated my everyday tableware to Goodwill and am now using my “best” for everyday. My best happens to be sturdy and elegant Dansk plates and stainless flatware. I kept only four wine glasses. I have new attractive space-efficient rice bowls for soup, cereal and desserts. I rediscovered never-used porcelain Williams-Sonoma salad/dessert plates which are decorated with 18th century hot air balloons. They bring back memories of my Mother’s 80th birthday hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley.
Delusions of Entertaining
I let go of my delusions of entertaining with this downsizing and simplification. I never had big parties or dinners anyway. Now I have beautiful place settings for four people that I am proud to use. They are a combination of Dansk, Crate & Barrel and IKEA. This is the right size for my new space and my entertaining style.
One of the benefits of declutter use your best everyday is the pure pleasure of using these beautiful pieces for myself. They make even solo meals special.
If you have a cluttered kitchen or are using a motley collection of everyday dinnerware, this will drag down your energy. (Note photo above.) Shop your closets and cabinets. Claim your best for yourself instead of saving it for others, enjoyed only twice a year.
While you are looking at your best dinnerware:
Do you have serving pieces you received as presents and have not used in years?
- They may be more appropriate to a more formal style of entertaining rarely done today.
- They may be indicative of best intensions or delusions of entertaining
- They may be leftover from food fads of the past: fondue sets, hardboiled egg platters.
Are they cluttering your kitchen, dining room, basement or attic?
Donate them. You may think of selling them on eBay. Sadly young people aren’t interested in buying them. Donate them instead.
Let go of the gift and hold on to the good wishes it represents.
Declutter use your best everyday; let go of that heavy energy. Energize your kitchen and mealtimes with the pleasure of using your best. You deserve it. This is an example of the power of beauty to boost your personal energy.
A Bonus of My New Tiny Kitchen:
When I put the finishing touches on a dish for guests, I no longer disappear into the kitchen. Now I can see and talk with my guests and be part of the fun.
If you would like help in bringing beauty and good energy into your home or workplace, contact me.
See more about organizing for beauty and calm:
What to do with Gifts and Heirlooms
A Buddhist Parable about Clutter
What is the craziest kitchen/dinnerware object you found while decluttering? Please share with me in the comments below.