I am kind of in an in-between place. A type of limbo if you will. On the one hand, I am still highly aware of and intentionally looking at what happens in the home in order to assist healing. On the other hand, I am unlocking some incredible gifts with sound. I know they somehow work together but that is where the limbo lies. I am just not sure how yet. Because I am kind of in a bit of an unknown area, I'll talk about what I have done with the kitchen dishes. I let so many dishes go.
When I was a little girl, my dad would say he wished we each just had one cup, one bowl, one plate, etc. That idea stuck in my mind but I didn't act on it. I had often thought as a young parent that it was a good idea but I wasn't willing to even try.
I came across a YouTuber that has done that. She has one dish set for each member of her family. She started with a quarantine box, she had the term before the 2020 drama. It's a box that you put the dishes you don't think you will need. It's kind of the safety net before you actually get rid of things. The chance to see if you like it or if you will miss certain items and pull them out.
We got rid of so many dishes. Normally, I wouldn't have considered them clutter, although I did think we had too many of some things. I just was raised with having an abundance of dishes.
I am choosing to look at my kitchen as always having what we need. Not too much, not too little, just what is perfect for us. I kept extra dishes on the top shelf as I have grandkids that occasionally come over. It's a bit crazy to see so few things in our cupboards and yet it is so nice.
I noticed I had some anxiety at first. This was weird for me because I have been decluttering for so long that I find it easy to let go. I realized that I was anxious because I had let my mind choose what to keep not my heart. I didn't joy test the dishes. I looked through the boxes, pulled out a couple of things, and the anxiety left. Now they have been donated, so there is no going back.
Here is what amazes me. It is impossible to get behind. Even if we don't wash dishes before bed, there are only a handful that have to be washed before the next dinner. They can't go more than that because there aren't enough plates. It's been so nice having so few dishes to wash. I can quickly tidy up and it's heaven.
I don't know if it's the right decision for everyone. I say if you have any curiosity, pull out a box for quarantining. Start with your eating dishes. Pull everything out and keep only one plate per person, one bowl, one cup, and see what happens for a few days when each person only has one set of dishes. If you find it liberating like I do, then move onto another area. Do you need all of your pans? What about the mixing bowls? Do you have too many storage containers for your needs? How about spatulas, whisks, and other cooking utensils.
As you simplify your dishes, how does this affect your sense of self? How does it affect other areas of the home? What do the dishes represent for you? For me, they seem to represent my overwhelm level and I can say, my dishes no longer overwhelm me.
Maybe this isn't right for you and so you decide to take all of the dishes back out of the quarantine box. It's okay. It will all turn out perfectly. Amazing sometimes to believe but it really will all work out.
Lots of love,
Michele