Organization is key in getting a beautiful meal on the table. This can take many forms, having the house organized, time management, to an orderly pantry, to a stream lined grocery list. Here are some resources that have helped me spend more time in the kitchen. Stay tuned for posts that speak to this topic. For the time being here is a list of books and blogs that have gotten me to prioritize my time and my world in order. Keep coming back to this page as it is changing frequently.
EVERYTHING THAT REMAINS
By Joshua Fields Millburn
Joshua is one of the Minimalists who shares his journey in shedding most of his material possessions and finding happiness along the way. His question is for each item is “Does this add value to my life?”
He has inspired my husband and I to experiment life without WIFI in our home this summer. This book inspires one to really look at one’s priorities. What are the obligations that are keeping you from cooking regularly?
THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP
By Marie Kondo
This book got me back to the kitchen. It took me six months to release everything I no longer loved and released me from the shoulds that were weighing me down. There is a freedom of letting go of items and commitments that no longer serve you.
SINK REFLECTIONS
By Marla Cilley aka The Flylady
The Flylady helps people get the clutter out and find order in their homes in a practical manner. She talks about CHAOS-Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome and how to turn that around. Her belief is to start with a shiny kitchen sink. If your house and or kitchen feels disarray, I dare you to keep your kitchen sink shiny for a week. I certainly feel lighter and brighter when it is shiny. Also it is always nice to have a clean slate when creating in the kitchen than having to spend thirty minutes plus washing dishes etc..
A BOWL FULL OF LEMONS
A blog by Toni Hammersly
Questions on cleaning? Need community and accountability on home projects? Need organizing tips for the whole house? Her kitchen pantry make over won me over. This blog has you covered. Beginning every January she hosts a 14 week organizing challenge. I did all 14 weeks in 2018 and changed my world. Can’t wait until January, here is her challenge.
The Messy Minimalist was recommended to me by you tube. I watched her recap of her 6 month journey to minimalism. Rachel eloquently cites the realness of letting go of your things and the relief and freedom of it all. Her videos speak of the must do’s to be successful of clearing clutter and the challenges of finding a new home for your unwanted things. There seems to be an universal pattern of this journey. It is not quick. One is really fussy with what gets to come into your living space after all that clearing. One feels lees rushed, more energized and less stress.
All my life I have been fighting against my messy gene. I have been in awe with people who have an organized living space. I am that person who likes to leave their clothes on the floor and when I was younger I thought it would be awesome to he a rope swing from the door to my bed. Making a path to my bed was not always possible. Hours and whole weekends would be spent putting my things away and always and swear that this is the time it would not get out of hand. Embarrassed by this? Heck yah! Resentful that everyone got to have a weekend while I picked up my stuff because you can’t go out and play until your room is clean. My number one dream was to have a tranquil, orderly and clean living space. Over the years my clothes piled on a chair and not the floor. Things have gotten better but still did not have a handle on it and always wondered what is wrong with me?
Recently I was surfing the web for organizing books and web sites and stumbled across the book titled Real Life Organizing by Cassadra Aarssen. I was intrigued to say the least. At this time I was not aware of Cassandra and her work on organizing. She begins the book by stating that through her years as an organizer she has witnessed that there are four different types of organizers. I know your curious, what type am I your thinking to yourself. Here is a youtube video to get you a bit familiar with her categories which are a ladybug, cricket, butterfly and bee. I found out that I am a butterfly. I cried reading the description. I am not messy, I just need to see all my belongings. For me I need clear containers, lots of hooks and everything labeled.
It is so worth the time and effort to become organized. I have purged so much and every item has a labeled home or is so obvious where it belongs. I can actually relax in my home. I want to everyone to feel peace in their home. So check out her books and website. This information will help get you to the kitchen and able to function in the kitchen better.
She is a bee through and through. She is meticulous . Her ideas are innovative and creative for organizing. Highly recommend her home video tours 1 and 2.
This blog discusses rel living in smaller spaces. Organizing, cleaning and decorating ideas that will ignite your imagination.