DECLUTTER

YOUR HOME
IN 15 MINUTES A DAY

A Workbook Guiding You

Through Each Room
in Your House

Dawn Madsen
The Minimal Mom
Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission.
Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom™
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be duplicated, reproduced, or distributed without written
permission from the author. This book may not be stored in a system maintained for retrieval of materials or
transmitted in any electronic or digital form such as photocopying, scanning, photographing, and recording.

To request permission to use this material, email [email protected].

Quotations and attributions used in publications, articles, book reviews, and websites do not require written
permission from the author.

Paperback: ISBN 978-1-7923-7923-9

First Edition: December 2021

Contact information: [email protected]

Website: www.TheMinimalMom.com

Post-it® is a registered trademark of the 3M Company.

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to acknowledge the following friends in the creating of this book:

Content Contributor and Editor: Cindy Kunath-Brock

Editorial Services: Jane Anderson

Rhonda Frank
Jacquie Harms
Dorothy Thorpe
Tiffany Weaver

Photography Services: Chris Knorr Photography

And real-life applications from The Minimal Mom Members Facebook Group.

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 Contents
Introduction Kitchens
2 What is Minimalism? 28 Pots and Pans
3 The Minimal Mom Journey 31 Creating a Company Bin
4 Hierarchy of Happiness 32 Food Storage Containers
34 Dishes, Glasses, Cups, and Mugs
5 Your “Why”
36 Bakeware, Mixing Bowls, and Serving Dishes
6 You Have Permission!
38 Countertops
8 The Support of Others
40 Utensils and Silverware
10 Challenges
42 Ideas for Moving Items Off Counters
43 Breaking Up Sets
44 Cookbooks and Recipes
46 Appliances and Gadgets
48 Pantry
52 Cleaning Supplies
54 Kitchen Linens
Getting Started 56 Kitchen Paper Clutter
14 Inventory 58 Clutter Catchers
15 Supply List
16 “Time Will Tell” Bin Clothes
17 Memory Box 62 Simplifying Clothes
18 Trash & Tidy 67 Kids’ Clothes
20 The Onion Method 70 Setting a Due Date
21 Five Minutes Matters 71 Storing Clothes to Grow Into
22 Your Fantasy Self 72 Creating a Personal Uniform
24 Guilt-Free Timer 74 Jewelry
25 Decluttering Faster 76 Sell or Donate
78 Simplifying Shoes and Purses

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 Bed and Bath Advanced Decluttering
82 Bedroom Floors 120 Toys
85 The Silent To-Do List 124 Chronic Overthinking
86 Flat Surfaces 125 Regrets Over Money Lost
88 Under the Bed 126 Craft Rooms
90 Kids’ Rooms 129 Kids’ Craft Supplies
93 Corralling Stuffed Animals 130 Offices
94 Guest and “Catch-All” Rooms 133 Paper Clutter
96 Bathroom: Drawers and Cupboards 136 Storage Spaces
98 Bathroom: Vanity Tops 140 Space Planner
100 Laundry Room
102 Household Linens

Living Areas Personal Items

106 Furniture 144 Sentimental Items
108 Main Living Area Storage Spaces 149 The Endowment Effect
110 Piles of Items in Cabinets and Drawers 150 Photos (Print and Digital)
112 Foyers, Mud Rooms, and Hall Closets 154 Special Occasion and Holiday Items
114 Dining Rooms 156 Gifts
116 Lack of Motivation 158 Books
117 Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

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 How to Use
This Workbook
This workbook was created to help you find the greatest decluttering success
possible in the shortest amount of time. Each topic is designed to take about 15
minutes. Your goal should be to tackle one topic per day. When you do, you’ll see
progress at the end of each 15-minute decluttering session.

Key Concepts: Throughout this workbook, you’ll see key concepts. These are
mindset shifts that will help you look at the items in your house differently and, as
a result, declutter faster.

Trash & Tidy: So that things don’t go backward, and you start feeling defeated,
spend a few minutes each day to at least pick up trash and do a quick tidy of
the main areas of your home. (See the topics on Trash & Tidy and Five Minutes
Matters!)

In each topic, you’ll find the following information to guide you along this journey.

• Ask Yourself: Get your pen or pencil and spend a little time working on these.
They’re specific to the topic and help you create personal decluttering goals
and guidelines for that topic.

• The Process: Grab your timer, set it for 15 minutes, and follow along with the
steps. Go as far as you can, and then stop when the timer goes off.

• Common Questions and Answers: These are some of the most frequently
asked questions about the topic. Review the answers, and you’re sure to
overcome an obstacle you may have come across!

As you follow the steps in this workbook, you’re certain to see a decluttered
home. It will be a home you can be proud of and one that brings you happiness.
Happy decluttering!

Scan this code for a link to free printable copies

of the worksheets found throughout this book.

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 Why can we acquire items with minimal effort, yet parting with them is so
Introduction

hard and emotional? And why do these items have such a grip on our life?

I don’t know the exact answers to these questions, but I do know that
simplifying our home (to the point of calling ourselves minimalists) has
been one of the most valuable projects I’ve ever done.

It restored my self-confidence, and it has helped me to be a better mom

and wife. It has given me room to care for others and freed up my mental
bandwidth to genuinely appreciate and enjoy this one life that we’ve each
been given.

As I look back now, I realize there is so much at stake, and I genuinely want
you to experience the peace and freedom that comes as you detach from
all of these physical things.

So here is a step-by-step guide for decluttering your home. I hope to come

alongside you as an encouraging friend, sharing my best tips, tactics, and
testimonies to inspire and help you.

You can do this, and you’ll be so glad that you did!

The Minimal Mom

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Minimalism
as a Tool

“Minimalism is a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess

in favor of focusing on what’s important — so you can
find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom.”
— The Minimalists

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Over the last seven years, we’ve been removing items from our home that we don’t use or enjoy.
In the beginning stages of decluttering, I asked myself, “Are we using this?” If we weren’t using it
right now, or didn’t know for sure that we’d use it in the next six months, it went to the donation
center. I was determined to see if minimalism would help calm the chaos in our home, and this one
question helped me let go of 2/3 of the physical possessions in our house.

However, once I got a taste of the freedom that comes with owning less, I wanted to take it further.
Actually, “want” isn’t a strong enough word: I craved to take it further. How I looked at the items in
our home had drastically changed. I now saw each item for what it was: something that I had to
inventory and maintain. Something I had to pick up when a child emptied the contents of their
dresser drawers on the floor. Something I had to protect from the mice that moved in each winter
or the water that occasionally seeped into the basement.

And as I desired to go further, to have even less to manage, a new question or criteria emerged:
“Could I live without it?”

And this is where the magic happened.

This is the stage where minimalism truly transformed our home and our lives. Our home was
peaceful, and I enjoyed being there. Granted, we had four kids ages five and under, and it would
still get “messy,” but cleaning up that mess took less than 5 minutes! It was manageable for the first
time.

I know what you’ll ask next:

“That’s so great for you, but I don’t want to go that

far. Is this book still for me?”

Absolutely! You stop decluttering and simplifying

when you feel that your house is manageable for you
and your current season of life.

One last piece of encouragement: IT GETS EASIER.

As I’ve talked to others, there is a tipping point. You

make a hundred tough decisions and a dozen trips to
the donation center, but then something shifts. You
get a taste of the freedom that lies on the other side,
and we begin to fly through the rest of your house.

Please don’t give up when it feels hard. Keep going,

and you’ll get there, too. There’s no doubt
in my mind!

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Hierarchy of Happiness
You’ve often heard it said that “stuff” will not make us happy. Yet, why
is that? Abraham Maslow was one of the earliest psychologists to study
happiness. He theorized that those who are happiest or most satisfied with
their lives move upward. Once their physical needs are met, they work to
achieve esteem and self-actualization.

In other words, acquiring and managing physical items (beyond those that
meet our basic physical needs) keeps us bogged down in the most basic
level of human needs and does not cause us to feel happy. But as we free
ourselves from clutter, we’re able to pursue activities that add meaning and
purpose, and as a by-product of those efforts, we find happiness.

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 Your “Why”
What’s the WHY behind it all?
Anytime you set out to do something new, you’re going to run into obstacles and challenges
and be tempted to quit. It’s important to remember why you’re decluttering and what you’ll
do with the free time you’ll gain!

Imagine you have an entire day off. All of the dishes and laundry are done. Your house is in
order, and there is no more decluttering to do. How will you spend your time?

WHO would you spend time with? WHAT would you do?
List the names of specific people. List any activities, such as hobbies or volunteering.

WHERE would you go? Place a Post-it® note HERE

List the places you would travel or visit.

On it, write out

your main WHY.

BENEFITS for me?

How will I feel better with a simplified home?
Take this Post-it® note with
you while you declutter!

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 You Have Permission!
“Did you know that you don’t have to keep all of this stuff?” Eight years ago, those words
came out of my computer speakers. I was listening to a podcast with Joshua Becker from
Becoming Minimalist. He had just reached the part in his story about finding minimalism
where he talks about his neighbor challenged him by posing this question: “Did you know
that you don’t have to keep all of this stuff?”

That simple question permitted me to let go of the stuff we didn’t need and begin my
journey of questioning every item in my home. I want to offer that same freedom to you as
well. So here it is:

You have permission to let this item go!

It may seem silly to have someone else give you permission. Yet, for many of us, we DO
need that permission.

Many of the things in our house are meant for a season of life and not a lifetime. The item is
meant to serve you for a period of time. Yet, that doesn’t mean you should keep it once that
season of life has passed.

Some find it’s very therapeutic to release something from their life and pass it along to
others who will enjoy it as much as they did.

Why don’t you go ahead and try this: find an item for which you need permission, and then
think of the words on this page:

“I have permission to let this item go!”

Now, let it go. When you do, a sense of relief will come over you. You will find that you’ll
never miss the item.

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Examples of items that you have permission to let go:
• Clothes that don’t fit (even ones you spent A LOT of money on!)

• Decorative items that have no ideal spot in your home

• Gifts that aren’t something you would use or enjoy

• Sports and exercise equipment that is going unused

• Other items:

Generally, if you look at it and feel bad, whether it’s regret over the money spent
or that you’re not using the item, it’s time for you to remove it from your house.

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 The Support of Others
As you embark on your decluttering journey, other people will walk next to you, tag along behind
you, and head off down a completely different road.

Let’s take a moment and talk about these people.

Let’s Walk Hand in Hand

Those who walk next to you have the same mindset and the same motivation. They agree that
things need to change. They don’t have the decluttering skills or mindset you will have learned.
However, they are 100% a part of your journey because they see it as their journey as well. Be
open to exchanging ideas with them, as they may have a fresh set of eyes and can offer some new
perspectives. These people are gems and should be treasured.

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Come Along for the Ride
Those who tag along behind you are not there to stall your forward
movement. Instead, these people are there to support your effort (“Can I take
out this bag of trash for you?”) and cheer you along (“The kitchen counter
looks so much nicer.”). If you make a clear and detailed request for some
assistance (“Can you help me grab all the items under the cabinet and throw
them away?”), they will be glad to step in and do what needs to be done. If you
find these people along your decluttering journey, success is guaranteed!

I’m Over Here. Where are you?

Those who are on a different path can be a significant bump on your road.
The one key thing to know when these people have maneuvered themselves in
front of you is that everyone has a different path…and that’s ok. No two people
do the same thing the same way every single time. This vantage point is what
makes us unique. As such, the approach you’re taking to your environment is
different from the approach they would take—and that approach may be to do
nothing. For these people, a key phrase they know and live by is this: “If it isn’t
broken , it doesn’t need to be fixed!” Whether they don’t see the change that’s
needed, or don’t want to deal with the change, you cannot push your plans and
dreams onto them.

So, how do you move forward when you have those who may be pulling from
behind, wanting you to stop? Take care of what you can control. We each
need to have space to be us. For you, it’s the kitchen as you’re the master chef
in the family. For your partner, it might be the workbench with all the tools
in the garage. Your path is not their path, and the greatest gift you can give
them is to lead by example. Let them see how much happier you are when
you have much less. Let them experience the feeling of wide-open physical
spaces. Let them be on their road and decide when they want to get on board
as part of your decluttering journey.

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 Challenges
Even before you start, you’re already tired of thinking about it, or your body hurts.
Decluttering does have both mental and physical aspects, and for some, it can be
overwhelming. Your best step to move beyond this is simple: remember that 5-minutes
matters. If you spend only 5 minutes working on something, anything, you’ve been
successful. If you work up to 10 minutes, fantastic. Suppose you work up to 15
minutes. That’s incredible. The goal is to do the best you can, no matter how long it
takes.

Mental Outlook
Do you find that even the thought of decluttering is paralyzing? You have no
idea what to do when, where to start, or how to achieve the change that you want.
These struggles may result from overwhelm or frustration or because you struggle
with medical conditions such as ADD or OCD. No matter the reason, you’re more
inclined to experience mental fatigue as your mind becomes overrun with too many
choices. That’s why each topic is written to help avoid fatigue as the decisions are
made for you. You ask yourself some questions to help focus, then follow the steps,
so there is no guessing on what to do next. Combine that with a set amount of time
(5, 10, or 15 minutes), and you will see results.

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Physical Difficulties
Sometimes there are tasks you can’t do and which hamper your ability to take physical
action. Perhaps you cannot go up or down a flight of stairs. Maybe you’re in a wheelchair causing
maneuverability issues or even have a medical condition (such as CFS or cancer) that severely
impacts the amount of energy you can expend.

When faced with these types of obstacles, the task of decluttering (or even tidying up, for that
matter) may seem like an uphill, losing battle. No matter the amount of work ahead, it’s simply too
big. This is where the process for any area you’re tackling becomes key. When you look at the
topic, view each step as singular. In other words, if you do nothing else, do step one. When that
step is done, then do step two and so forth. It doesn’t matter if you do step one today and step two
next week. The goal is to go one step at a time, doing as much as makes you comfortable. If you
feel that a step is a bit more than you can handle, ask for help (see the next section).

Asking for Help

No matter the challenges you face, you should always feel free to ask for help. We often hold
back for fear of our request being rejected or that the help we need won’t be the help we receive.
That situation occurs when there is a misstep in communication between you and someone else.
It becomes a guessing game of sorts. Asking, “Can you help me?” is an open-ended request,
whether asked of an adult or a young child. Instead, your communication should be one of clarity.

Here are the key points to discuss when asking for assistance.

• Describe the type of help you need. Without specific information, the person has no idea
what’s involved. Do you need help moving a box or reorganizing an entire space? The more
details, the better. For example, “I need help cleaning the trash out of the storage room.” With
this information, the other person can determine if this is a task they can or cannot help with. If
they have a back issue and cannot bend over, gathering trash may not be possible.
• Provide a time estimate or a fixed duration. Without knowing when and for how long, another
person will be guessing. With no definitive date/time, there is no way to give a firm response.
Again, details are everything. An example question might be, “Can you help me on Tuesday
afternoon at two o’clock for an hour?” If the person is not available, have some other times in
mind and offer those for consideration.
• Request any supplies required. Unless you are just shuffling items around (which you should
avoid), you will need supplies, whether boxes, tape, trash bags, etc. If you don’t have them or
don’t have enough of something, explain what you need. “Do you have any extra boxes you
can bring?” The person may have some, know where to get some, or might offer to buy them
(and be sure you offer to pay them back).

When you ask with clarity, you’ll receive a response that directly addresses your question and
brings you someone who is more than willing to help!

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 11
Notes

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Inventory
Getting
Started

Supply List

“Time Will Tell” Bin

Memory Box

Trash & Tidy

The Onion Method

Five Minutes Matters

Your Fantasy Self

Guilt-Free Timer

Decluttering Faster

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 Inventory

I was recently at a public event, and a gal All that work for ONE piece of clothing. Now,
came up to me and excitedly said, “Inventory! multiply those five tasks with the second piece
I have to tell you. The idea of inventory has of clothing. Things are starting to get busy. Now
COMPLETELY transformed our home!!” multiple those five tasks with ALL the clothing
She went on to say, “When you said to look at you have, and there are zero hours left in a day!
everything in my home as inventory that I have
to manage, a lightbulb went on!” It doesn’t matter how small (a can of beans)
or big (a bed), whether on the kitchen counter
or in a storage closet, it’s always going to be
Inventory: Every item in your home Inventory YOU have to manage. Yet seldom do
is something you have to manage. you recognize the total weight of inventory
management. It is a significant burden—both
physically and mentally.
Let’s pick an example, perhaps clothing. What
type of attention does each item of clothing How can you tell if you have too much
require? You have to: inventory? Well, do you forget where things
are? Do you feel stressed because you have to
• Wash it organize and maintain so many items? Do you
• Dry it have things you never use?

• Fold it You thought that you were messy or

unorganized when, in reality, you just had too
• Put it away (and in a place much Inventory to manage!
where it doesn’t get ruined)
Now, as you declutter your home, use this filter:
• Remember to wear it (instead of “Do I want to manage and inventory this item
shoving it into the back of a closet) any longer?”

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 G e t t in g
Supply List

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To set yourself up for success, you will need assorted items along the way.

Black (not white) trash bags are used so no one

can see what you’re tossing.

Donation boxes that can be donated.

“Time Will Tell” bins are used for things that

you’re not ready to let go of. You will need 1-3 of
these. They can be cardboard boxes or plastic
bins.

Memory boxes are used to store keepsakes and

sentimental items. A Sterilite, Rubbermaid, or
another sturdy, waterproof bin with a lid works
well.

Packing and masking tape, Post-it notes, and

a Magic Marker are for packing and labeling
boxes as well as zoning spaces.

IMPORTANT: The temptation is to skip the list and jump in; however
if you have these items with you EVERY TIME you declutter, you’ll double
your productivity!

For suggestions on what types of supplies to buy,

visit The Minimal Mom store on Amazon.

Amazon.com/shop/MinimalMom

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 “Time Will Tell” Bin
There are two underestimated tools when it comes to decluttering. These are the
“Time Will Tell” Bin and the “Memory” Box. Let’s look a little more closely at each.

As you’re decluttering, you will come across an item that you’re unsure of how to
handle. You’ll instinctively begin to ask yourself:

•? Have I used it? •? Should I save it just in case?

•? Will I use it? •? What if someone I know wants it?

These are practical questions, and the “Time Will Tell” bin is the answer. Here is how
the “Time Will Tell” process works:

1. Select a container. This could be a

cardboard box or plastic storage bin.
Use anything you already have on
hand.

2. Put items in. For any item you’re not

confident can be donated (or thrown
away), place it in the bin

3. Label and store it. Once you’re done,

place a label on the bin with the
current date (including the year) and

4. Revisit the bin. In 3-6 months, look at what’s in the bin and see how confident
you feel about donating the items now. Try not to second guess your decisions.
If you discover that you haven’t gone back to retrieve any item from the bin,
chances are it can ALL be donated!

TIP: Be strategic about what you put in the bin. The goal is to let stuff go that you don’t use
and will never need. The bin simply gives you peace of mind and comfort to know that it
is still there until you realize you haven’t needed it.

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 G e t t in g
Memory Box

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A memory box accomplishes two main goals:
• It gives a home for unique things that often float around our house.
• It helps curate a collection of memories that you’ll revisit repeatedly.

To decide what kind of box is right for you, ask yourself this question:

On a scale of 1-10, how sentimental am I?

1 = Not sentimental at all.

You’ll still come across items that you’d like to keep but that don’t have
a home, such as greeting cards, notes, pictures, awards, and certificates
of accomplishment.

Select a smaller memory box that you can easily tuck away.

5 = Somewhere in the middle.

By adding a memory box, you’ll fly through items that might have tripped you
up in the past. Kids’ artwork, photos, homemade cards, handmade jewelry.
Toss it in the memory box and move on!

Select a larger memory box, but keep it stored in a handy location!

10 = Very sentimental.
The memory box is a game-changer for you because it sets BOUNDARIES!
You can’t keep everything, but you can keep the most special pieces. By
having a memory box or two, YOU get to decide what is most precious AND
give it a safe place to live so that it is protected. This gives you peace of
mind!

You may choose to have more than one (but not more than three!) memory
boxes categorized by special people or periods (such as age or years).

TIP: Make sure to have a memory box for each person in your household! Store the memory
boxes where they can be accessed easily, such as in a storage space, under the bed, or
in a closet.

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 Trash & Tidy
Welcome to the most important two items you
can do when decluttering your home: pick up
trash and tidy an area FIRST!

You will see this phrase mentioned throughout

the book because it is the one “tactic” that can
and will have the most significant impact on
any space.

How It Works
1) Pick a room and set your timer for 5 minutes.

2) Begin to look for trash. Every room in your home has it. Stop right now and look around.
It could be as small as a candy wrapper on the floor, barely out of sight, or as large as a
broken toy stuffed in a closet.

3) As you move about the space, tidy each area.

The definition of “tidying” is to group like items with like items. In other words, you’re
picking up, grouping things together, and putting items back in their proper location.
This is meant to be a quick action, and the benefits are significant:

• It gives you a tidy space that feels less stressful.

• It gets your body moving (helpful on days when you have no motivation).

• It allows you to make room to navigate around better.

• It gives you a chance to see what you have (and what you may have forgotten).

Why It Works
When the timer goes off, look back at the space. How does it feel? It should feel like you:

• Have made progress and the space feels more manageable and less chaotic.

• Want to keep going. Often (but not always), you’ll decide to keep working after the timer
goes off.

• Are less afraid of the mess and clutter in this space. It isn’t anything you can’t handle!

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 G e t t in g
Trash & Tidy

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(in action)

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1. Set your timer for 5 minutes 2. Remove trash.
and pick a room.

You’ll be amazed at how much you can Start by looking for obvious trash and discarding
accomplish in this amount of time. And it. As you’re doing this, make a mental note of the
better yet, how good you feel afterward! rest of the remaining items.

3. Group like things together. 4. Deal with each category.

Next, group like things with like things. Now that the items are sorted into
This isn’t hard! Whether you’re working in manageable groups, select one group to
the kitchen or storage space, this helps work with. Once that’s complete, move
you see what it is you’re working with. on to the next. Doesn’t this feel great?

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 The Onion Method
It’s challenging to declutter any area of your
house entirely in one pass. The Onion Method is
used to declutter your house in layers. For the first
layer, remove all trash. For the next layer, get rid
of items you do not need or use any longer. Keep
moving through the layers until you have let go of
duplicate items and those items you are keeping
for “someday” (which never comes).

As you remove each layer, you’ll gain confidence

in the decluttering decision-making process, and
have more momentum to keep moving forward.

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 G e t t in g
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Five Minutes Matters

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Five minutes is a long time. People rarely set a timer before performing
a task, so their PERCEPTION of how long something will take and how
long something DOES take can be misleading. You can test this by
setting a timer right now for 5 minutes. Now get up and do something
intentionally (fold the laundry or do the dishes). When the timer goes off,
look at how much you’ve accomplished.

The “Five Minutes Matters” mindset helps to spark motivation and build
momentum. When you work on projects for even 5 minutes at a time,
you keep yourself in the game. Decluttering feels less daunting, you see
progress AND you will think more highly of yourself.

Next time you have a few minutes and are tempted to scroll through
social media, remind yourself that “Five Minutes Matters.”

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 Your Fantasy Self
You had a dream to learn something new, pursue a hobby, or be a better version of
yourself. You bought things to support this new endeavor but never got around to
using any of those things. That can be very frustrating, sometimes depressing, but
primarily sad. Please know you’re not alone.

To start, ask how your “fantasy self” was born. What is it like seeing others having or
doing what you want? While this is a loss, you may need to process: Is it possible that
you could be happy and content right here and now without achieving your fantasy self
goals? And that letting these items go is a kindness to yourself?

Let’s look at items that are directly attributed to this “fantasy self” mindset.

• Crafts and hobbies that you always planned to do but never quite did.

• Clothes you always hoped to wear that never entirely made it into your everyday
wardrobe.

• Baking and cooking supplies for the chef you want to become.

• Tools for building or making things for others (like gifts for the grandkids).

• Elaborate jewelry to wear only to realize you either don’t have the wardrobe that goes
with it or have no place to wear it.

• Camping equipment that hasn’t been used in the past five years.

• Decorative items to create your showcase house, only to realize you have more items
than you will ever use or dare to even put out with a household of young kids.

• A dream car that is not an SUV or minivan filled with soda cups, water bottles, empty
fast food bags, random kids’ items, wayward groceries, and so forth.

• Anything else you can imagine!

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 22
 G e t t in g
g SSttarte
artedd
Letting go of your fantasy self is not easy, especially if you’ve held on to that image (and
the things you’ll need to be that person) for a long time. Here are a few suggestions:

• First, read the section, Regrets Over Money Lost. Some of the activities cost a large
amount of money. That can cause horrible feelings of regret. Who have I disappointed
(besides myself)? Why was I such a fool to think I could live that “fantasy” life? The list
goes on.

• Next, read this workbook and learn how to decide what should go and how to release
it. Offer it to a family member or friend. Sell it on your local online group. Donate it to
charity. There is someone who would love to have the item you cherished at one time.

• Finally, enjoy the peace you’ll feel when you’ve decided to move beyond who you
hoped to be, and the items that held you in “Fantasyland” all this time. You will discover
the person you are. The clarity you’ll uncover is worth far more than all the time and
money spent trying to build the ever allusive “fantasy self.”

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 23
 Guilt-Free Timer

There is a lot of “trial and error” in life. Making Here are a few trial and error purchases I’ve made
poor buying decisions is one such error. At least recently:
once in your life, this one simple action has
probably caused you a lot of grief and remorse. • Mrs. Meyers Geranium Scented all-purpose
cleaner. I liked the other scents and thought
When making a purchase, you rely on: this would be nice. However, it made our
house stink. So, I gave it away.
• Word of mouth endorsement
and social influencers • Lucky brand suede boots. I love almost
• Marketing and reviews everything that is “Lucky” brand. They were
• Past experience cute, on clearance, and didn’t seem too bad
when I tried them on in the store. You can see
You weigh your options and make a purchase. where this is going. They’re super cute, but I
You take the item home and use it. Did it live up couldn’t wear them for more than 15 minutes. I
to your expectations? Did it fix the problem that donated them.
you hoped it would?
• Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Grill. I heard so many
Sometimes yes, but often no. Is this your fault? people express their delight with this item.
Maybe? Maybe not? Because I wasn’t sure if it was right for us, I
didn’t want to buy a new one. Instead, I found
This is where the Guilt-Free Timer was born. an open box one on Amazon, gave it a try, and
When you set the Guilt-Free Timer, you can it is a total hit! While I had heard great things,
declutter any item in your house without feeling I didn’t know we would love it so much!
guilty!
You will make buying mistakes, but keeping the
The timer gives you permission to look at a item won’t right the wrong. Move it out of your
mistake purchase, chalk it up to trial and error, house and allow yourself to move beyond an
donate the item, and move on. unwise decision.

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 24
 G e t t in g
Decluttering Faster

g SSttarte
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1. Have a donation box and trash bag with you
at all times.
PICTURE It needs to be as easy to toss or donate an item as it is to leave
it in its place, thinking, “I’ll deal with this later.” Commit to
handling items only once and donating or tossing anything
you’re not using!

2. Look at every item as inventory that needs

to be managed.
PICTURE It doesn’t matter where it is. It is always on your mind as
something for which you need to care. Ask yourself, “Do I
want to continue to manage this item?”

3. “If it isn’t a definite YES, then it’s an absolute NO!”

Our houses become SO much easier to manage when you
PICTURE only keep the things that you’re using. You don’t have time
and mental bandwidth to manage things that add no value
to your life. If you hold up an item and don’t immediately say,
“Yes. I’m using this regularly!” then it’s time to let it go.

4. Use a “Time Will Tell” bin to set aside items

to see if you miss them.
This is especially helpful for things you’ve spent a fair amount
of money on, including kitchen gadgets, small appliances,
clothing, and toys.

5. Say no to guilty clutter.

Why keep things in your house that you don’t want? You may
be doing this--especially with gifts or other items given to or
PICTURE passed down to us. You want your home to feel good, and
part of achieving that vision is donating and removing guilt-
ridden items!

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 25
Notes

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 26
 K itc h e n s
Pots and Pans
Kitchens

Creating a Company Bin

Food Storage Containers
Dishes, Glasses, Cups, and Mugs
Bakeware, Mixing Bowls, and Serving Dishes
Countertops
Utensils and Silverware
Ideas for Moving Items Off Counters
Breaking Up Sets
Cookbooks and Recipes
Appliances and Gadgets
Pantry
Cleaning Supplies
Kitchen Linens
Kitchen Paper Clutter
Clutter Catchers

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 27
 Pots and Pans
A group of 350 people was asked, “How many pots and pans do you use
regularly?” The most common answer was five, although several respondents
admitted to owning up to 24!

Have you ever noticed the number of pots and pans you use, let alone have?
It depends on how often you cook, the number of people you cook for, and the
frequency at which you wash dishes, but it’s likely five or less.

As you prepare to simplify your pots and pans, use these questions to guide you.

Ask yourself . . .
•? Are there pots or pans I use the most? YES or NO

•? Are there pots or pans that I rarely use? YES or NO

•? Do I have duplicates or extra pieces from a set? YES or NO

•? How many pots or pans can I use at one time on my stove or cooktop?

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 28
 K itc h e n s
The Process

Step 1 Gather all of your pots and pans together (not

including baking dishes and cookie sheets; you
will tackle these later).

Step 2 Beginning with your favorite and most used

pieces, place one on each burner of the stove or
cooktop until each burner is covered. If needed,
add one additional pot on the counter to the side
of the stove.

Step 3 Put the remaining pots and pans (any items not
placed on the stove or next to it) in your donation
box or Time Will Tell bin. NOTE: The goal is only to
have one Time Will Tell bin for the entire kitchen,
so be selective!

Step 4 Remove the pots and pans from the stove and put
them away.

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 29
Common Questions and Answers

What if my husband or Ask them to help choose (unless you know them well enough to
another member of my select for them). Explain that this is an experiment, and any items
household does the not selected will be safe in the Time Will Tell bin and can be pulled
cooking? out at any time. Containers hold items for better organization.
Ideally, each container should contain like items (e.g., all holiday
décor, all camping gear, and so forth). If you leave items on open
shelving, be sure you have minimized your inventory as much as
possible. Otherwise, it will look messy.

Do I need more pots I would challenge you to try one holiday with this limited set of
and pans for holidays or pots and pans to see if you need them. Store any pots and pans
entertaining? you are unsure about in the Time Will Tell bin to see if you need to
pull them back out. You might be surprised that you never reach
for them!

What should I do with If you have a lid for each pot or pan, you can donate the extras or
extra lids? throw them away. (YES, donation centers take stray lids!)

What if the pots or pans It is 100% okay to break up sets and donate the pieces you aren’t
are part of a set? using. Not completely confident? Put the extras in a Time Will Tell
bin. If you do not miss them, then donate them in 3-6 months.

What is an alternate way to The best solution is to put them in your pantry on a shelf you can
store pots and pans when reach. Or, put them on a shelf above waist level. You may have to
you cannot bend over very relocate other items, but this is your chance to see how necessary
well? the items are that you will be moving!

Does a Dutch oven or cast If it is an item you use to cook with, it counts as a pot or pan.
iron skillet count as pots and
pans?

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 30
 K itc h e n s
Creating a “Company Bin”
One of the biggest changes to our kitchen was highly simplifying the dishes. We went
as far as only having one place setting per person (and still do) and I loved how it
worked. The kitchen was easy to clean and we never had stacks of dirty dishes next to
the sink.

However, what do you do when you have people over or entertain? While I had
hoped that I could put extra dishes for company on the top shelf of our cupboard, they
seemed to sneak out when someone didn’t want to wash their own. So the “company
bin” was born.

In it I keep extra melamine dishes for guests. I have a dozen or so plates, bowls, cups
and mugs. You could also add extra silverware, serving dishes or anything that you
only use when you’re serving a crowd, but don’t want out for everyday use. We keep it
in the basement for easy access.

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 31
 Food Storage Containers
There they are, in the back of a No matter the case, there is a solution to both of
cupboard—a mishmash of lids and these problems: KEEP A LID ON IT!
containers that are mismatched. You
know you have a lid that goes with a Now, why should you store your containers with the
container; you have to dig through lids on them?
what you have to find it. Plus, you may • They will always have a matching lid! No more
have lids and containers using up trial and error to see what goes with what.
valuable storage space that would be
• They are easy to grab and use!
better suited for other items.
• It will save you from keeping more than you can
manage and overfilling the space you have.

Ask yourself . . .
•? How much time and frustration would I save if all my lids and containers were matching sets,
and I didn’t have to piece together this storage container puzzle?

•? Would it make it easier to have fewer containers, freeing up space that I can use for other
items? YES or NO

•? Do I need all the containers I have now? Would I be willing to try having much fewer (knowing
the extras are safe in the Time Will Tell bin)? YES or NO

The Process

Step 1 Define your “boundary” for storing food storage containers. This could be a
particular cabinet, drawer, or organizing bin.

Step 2 Remove all of your food storage containers from this space. Put the lids on your
favorite food storage containers and begin to put them back (again, with the lids
ON) until the space is full. This boundary is deciding the number you keep.

Step 3 Place the remaining food storage containers in the donation box, recycling
container, trash bag, or Time Will Tell bin.

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 32
 K itc h e n s
Common Questions and Answers
What if my containers do not If it is an item that should have a lid and does not, consider letting
have lids? it go. If it does not have an actual lid, you can put it on the bottom
and put the containers with lids above it (if they fit). You may have
to do a little moving around to get this to work.

I need containers for special Put them in your special occasion bin that is located outside the
occasions, but they all will kitchen (basement, perhaps).
not fit in my cupboard with
the lids on. What should I do?

Do they smell if you store No. If the container has been thoroughly cleaned, no food remains,
them with the lids on? and you put the lids on when the container is completely dry, the
smell should not be an issue.

I do a lot of batch freezer Of course. You can either keep those with the rest of your
cooking or canning for containers (make sure they fit) or tuck them away in a pantry or
each season. Won’t I need closet where they are ready for use when you need them.
extra containers for those?

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 33
Dishes, Glasses, Cups, and Mugs
The mainstays of our eating and drinking activities come in all shapes, sizes, colors, types, and styles—
so many choices. But, at times, there can be too much of a good thing.

Now is the time to determine a realistic number you need for each of these items. By doing so, you will
minimize your inventory, which means no dishes stacking up and less time spent cleaning them up!

Ask yourself . . .
•? Would there be fewer dishes to do if I had fewer of these items? YES or NO

•? Do my family members grab a plate or glass each time they want to eat or drink items?
YES or NO

•? Does every person have one favorite plate, glass, cup, or mug they use? YES or NO

The Process
Step 1 Collect all the dishes, glasses, cups, and mugs you have and bring them into your
kitchen. Ideally, you should put them where they go as it will help you see the space
you do or do not have.

Step 2 Determine the number of place settings needed. Take into consideration:

• How many people are in your household?

• How many meals (on average) do you eat at home each day?

• How frequently do you currently do dishes (select one)?

After each meal As needed

Once daily When every single dish is dirty

Most find that paring down to two place settings per person in their household functions
well. However, if dishes stacking up next to the sink is a problem in your home, or if you
don’t have a dishwasher, you may want to test out having just one place setting per person.

For example, in our household, we have one place setting per person and two drinking
cups. This forces us to stay on top of the dishes, and I like that!

Step 3 Select dishes to fill your desired number of place settings, cups, and mugs. Choose your
favorites and place the remaining dishes in your donation box or Time Will Tell bin.

Step 4 Test it out. After 1-2 weeks reevaluate. Do you like having limited dishes? Have you
noticed an impact on your kitchen? Does it stay cleaner? Is doing dishes less of a hassle
because there are never too many to do?

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 34
 K itc h e n s
Common Questions and Answers

What do I do when I Option 1: If you have a regular guest, keep an extra place setting
have guests? for that person(s).

Option 2: For less frequent or larger groups, keep a separate bin of

dishes in a location away from the kitchen.

Option 3: Use paper products. (Be sure you use the right paper
product for the food being eaten.)

What should I do with When it comes to sentimental items, we often make a mistake,
sentimental mugs? assuming they’re all EQUALLY meaningful. This usually isn’t true.
Set a boundary for special mugs (like an upper shelf in one of your
kitchen cabinets). Then, pull out all of the mugs and put them back
based upon your favorites and in a meaningful order.

Won’t I be doing dishes You will do dishes more frequently, but it will take less time, and
ALL the time? your kitchen will feel more manageable. Washing just used dishes
takes hardly anytime at all. Not positive? Trying to put the extras in
your Time Will Tell bin for a risk-free way to test it out.

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 35
 Bakeware, Mixing Bowls,
and Serving Dishes
In general, we keep too many pieces of bakeware, mixing bowls, and serving dishes because we
overestimate how many we need when we bake or entertain. Here are some simple questions to
know how many of each to keep.

Ask yourself . . .
•? When was the last time I used this item?

•? Is it easy for me to reach this item (or is it shoved into the back of a cupboard)? YES or NO

•? Do I avoid using certain pieces because they’re too heavy or fragile? YES or NO

The Process

Step 1 What is the biggest event of the year that you host? Christmas? Thanksgiving?
Fourth of July? New Year’s Eve? Hanukkah?

Step 2 What foods do you serve on this day?

Step 3 Set the table (or counter) with the dishes needed to bake and serve this meal. Use
Post-it notes to designate what food goes in each container. Take a picture of
every item set up so that you can reference it again later!

Step 4 Either donate what is left or put the items in the Time Will Tell bin.

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 36
 K itc h e n s
Common Questions and Answers
I love to bake, but my Have you determined which bakeware you need? If so,
kitchen is SO tiny. look at what else in your kitchen can be moved, perhaps on
How do I store it all? the wall or on cupboard doors? Decide where your baking
items will work best, and then see if you can relocate other
items.

What do I do with my Could you offer them to a family member? Explain that you
grandma’s serving dishes? never use them and would like them to belong to someone
I initially asked for them, who will. However, if no one takes them, don’t let them
but now we do not use become guilty clutter. Donate them.
them, and I regret it.

I don’t want to This all comes back to what you need and what space you
break up the set. have. Do you use one set more than the others? If so, keep
it and let the others go. If you use a different one from each
set, go ahead and make a new, custom set.

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 37
 Countertops
Why is it so helpful to have cleared off kitchen counters? Because our brains like visual simplicity,
especially when it comes to items that are on flat surfaces. When items are left sitting out, our brain
continually asks, “Do I need to do something with those?” and this is mentally exhausting!

Ask yourself . . .
•? When I look at my kitchen counters, do I feel dragged down or have a sense of freedom?
Circle one. Dragged down or Sense of Freedom

•? Look at each item sitting out on your counter. Does it need to sit out? Could it be placed
in a cabinet or drawer? Circle one. Sit out or Put away

•? Would it be easier to clean up the kitchen at the end of the day if there was less sitting out? YES or NO

The Process

Step 1 Move dirty dishes next to the sink, toss trash, put food items away, and gather all paper
items together.

Step 2 Begin at one end of your kitchen and work to completely clear off your kitchen counters,
finding homes for the items in cabinets, drawers, or donation boxes. For example:

• Knife blocks can go in a drawer or be hung on a magnet

• Toasters can be put in a bin, so they are easy to push in and pull out
• Vitamins and medications can be placed in a container for easy retrieval
• Paper clutter in a file holder above where it collects
• Phone chargers can go into a charging station

Refer to “Ideas for Clearing Counters” for more tips.

Step 3 Allow yourself up to 3 exceptions for items that are used very frequently or more
challenging to store or take in and out of cabinets (for example, a coffee maker or stand
mixer).

(1)

(2)

(3)

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 38
 K itc h e n s
Common Questions and Answers
What if I do not have room For most of us, items in the cabinets and drawers could be
in my kitchen cabinets or decluttered to make room for the items sitting on our counters.
drawers for this stuff? Take a look through to see what you can find to clear out!

What if there are heavy items It depends on how often you use it. Is it multiple times a week
such as a stand mixer? or occasionally? If you use it all the time, find a location on the
counter that makes sense, such as a corner you don’t need for
regular food activities. If you use it only sporadically, relocate it to
a place that offers easy access (such as a pantry), so you can pull it
out only when needed.

I want to have our counters Here are a few tips:

completely clear, but my
spouse needs to see items, • Help him evaluate what he’ll forget about and what he’ll know
or he forgets they exist. What to look for. For example, supplements may need to sit out, but
is the happy point between he’ll look for the toaster inside a cabinet if he needs to toast
our two needs? bread.

• Use containers for putting bread in a basket. This gives it a

preferred location and a boundary, but it is still visible.

• Use wall organization for important papers or to-do items.

I get the idea behind this, Of course. While the goal is to have clear counters, keeping out
but my kitchen is large and what you need to use frequently makes sense. For some, it is only
feels so bare without items a coffee maker. For others, it is canisters containing all their baking
on the counters. Is it okay items (such as flour and sugar).
to leave items out?

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 39
 Utensils and Silverware
You use them every day, and there can be SO many of them. From your fork and knife to the spatulas and
sharp knives used to prepare your daily meals, silverware and utensils can take over every drawer you
have. There seems to be something addictive about having an overabundance of these types of items.

Ask yourself . . .
•? Are my utensils in the best location so I can get what I need quickly? YES or NO

•? Do I need fewer utensils as my family size has decreased? YES or NO

•? Do I have duplicates of certain items? YES or NO

•? Does everything I have fit comfortably in the space available? YES or NO

Common Questions and Answers

Will having fewer utensils Yes, however, you will have fewer dishes to wash every time you
or silverware require me to do the dishes. It is easier to spend a few minutes washing a smaller
wash dishes more often? number of dishes than 30 minutes washing a sink full of them. (It is
easy to procrastinate when you see a pile of dishes instead of a few.)

If I have to remove my seasonal Do you have a location currently for all these items? If yes, it is okay
items from the kitchen, where to put non-decorative items with decorative ones. If you do not
can I put them? have a place, you will need to create a place for these items.

I want to simplify our cooking If he is the chef, he should be the one to decide what stays and
utensils, but my husband is what goes. You can contribute by sharing what you have done in
the chef, and he thinks he uses other areas of the house. Sometimes a person does not know what
them all (but I do not think that to do without having an example to follow.
is true). Can I simplify them for
him, or should I involve him in
the process?

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 40
 K itc h e n s
The Process

Step 1 Gather all silverware, utensils, and kitchen gadget items together. Utensils
and silverware can live in multiple drawers around the kitchen or other living
areas. They may even be shoved into a box in the back corner of the pantry.

Step 2 Evaluate whether your utensils and silverware are in the ideal location. Look at
all you have gathered, then decide on places to make your kitchen run more
efficiently (such as putting the cooking utensils in the drawer next to the stove).

Step 3 Decide how many of each to keep. You generally only need one each of these
items:
_ Whisk _ Potato Masher _ Cheese Grater
_ Soup Ladle _ Meat Tenderizer _ Lemon Press
_ Slotted Spoon _ Tongs _ Veggie Peeler
_ Flipper Spatula _ Salad Grabber _ Pizza Cutter
_ Mandolin _ Kitchen Scissors _ Ice Cream Scoop
_ Can Opener _ Garlic Press _ Zester
_ Paring Knife
You generally need only 2 of these:
_ Rubber Spatulas
_ Wooden Spoons

You generally only need 3 of these:

_ Large Knives
_ Serving Spoons

You generally need 1-2 sets per person of these:

_ Silverware

Remember: You can always store extras in a “company bin” that you pull out
to entertain.

Step 4 Select your favorites and put the rest in the donation box or Time Will Tell
bin. There will always be exceptions but try to simplify to as few as possible,
trusting you can pull things from the Time Will Tell bin as needed.

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 41
Ideas for Moving Items Off Counters
Kitchens are easier to tidy and keep clean when the counters are cleared off and
simplified. Here are creative solutions for the most common counter dwellers:

Knife Block
You can purchase knife blocks designed to go in
a drawer or a magnetic strip under your cabinets
or inside a door.

Utensil Caddy
You likely had a utensil caddy on your counter
growing up - we all did! But they can easily be
moved into a drawer.

Dish Rack
Look for a model that goes over the sink. You
could also have a dish drying mat that goes next
to the sink when there are a lot of dishes to do.

Small Appliances
While you may decide to keep out an appliance
that you use daily, try to tuck the rest away in
cabinets. After a while, you won’t even notice the
effort it takes to put them away.

Decorations
If you have a large kitchen, you may decide to
leave out some decorations. However, if space is
limited, move decor up onto the walls.

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 42
 K itc h e n s
Breaking Up Sets
Did you know that it’s completely acceptable to break up sets of items when selling
or donating them? Here are samples of sets of things that we often hesitate to break up:

• Dishes (especially china sets)

• Pots and pans
• Linens (such as sheets or comforters with shams)
• Clothing (suits or other matching pieces)
• Luggage
• Collections (figurines, silverware, books)

And here is why it’s ok to donate a partial set of any item:

• Thrift stores often sell items individually and not as a set

• Many people like buying pieces of a set and NOT the whole set

So go ahead, keep the pieces you like, cherish or use and let the rest go. You’ll feel lighter
and your house will, too!

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 43
 Cookbooks and Recipes
There are many reasons that cookbooks and recipes accumulate:

• Do you love to cook for your family and find that you’re always hunting for new and exciting items to serve?

• Have you started a new diet and need to find new food options?

• Do you have cookbooks and recipes tied to memories and family members? You are holding on to
all of them to continue traditions.

• Is cooking for others how you show love?

• Do you try to save money by cooking at home as frequently as possible?

These are all valid reasons for having an extensive collection of options. Yet are they giving you the
benefits you thought they would?

Ask yourself . . .
•? Am I likely to use this cookbook or recipe in the next 90 days? YES or NO

•? Do I have multiple cookbooks that have a similar theme (e.g., Instant Pot or Crockpot)? YES or NO

•? Am I keeping it for sentimental reasons? YES or NO

The Process

Step 1 Find all your cookbooks and recipes no matter where they are located. Look in
drawers, on shelves, inside cupboards, etc.

Step 2 Begin to sort your cookbooks and recipes into four categories:
- Use regularly - Time Will Tell
- Sentimental - Donate
Agree to let go of any cookbooks or recipe cards you have not used in the past year.

Step 3 If you’re not sure what to do with a particular recipe book, challenge yourself to cook
one meal a week from it over the next month. If that doesn’t sound appealing or realistic
right now, let it go.

Step 4 Once you have your piles of recipes and cookbooks, move donations and Time Will Tell
items to their receptacles. Then decide if memory or keepsake cookbooks would be
better stored in your memory box or elsewhere in your home.

Step 5 For the cookbooks and recipes you’re keeping, select a feasible spot to keep them. For
example, if you do meal planning at your kitchen table, a cabinet or cupboard close by
is a viable choice.

Copyright © 2021 The Minimal Mom. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without permission. 44
 K itc h e n s
Common Questions and Answers
I was hoping to learn more The question is, “When are you going to use them in the future?”
gluten-free baking for my Is there a reason you cannot begin using them now? Could similar
daughter-in-law and bought recipes be found online? You can put them in a Time Will Tell bin
a bunch of cookbooks. I and if you don’t take them out in a certain period, then let them go.
have not used them yet, but Also, read the section about your Fantasy Self.
I hope to in the future. What
should I do with them in the
meantime?

I want to cook healthier If you haven’t used them, pass them on. Either donate them to
meals, but cookbooks and some local cooking schools, the library, or your local thrift store.
recipes have been cluttering
up my kitchen for years and I
don’t use them.

What should I do with family If you want to keep the recipes but not the book itself, take a photo
heirloom cookbooks? They of each one, so you have a digital version.
do not necessarily need to
live in the kitchen. If you don’t use them but want to keep them for sentimental
reasons, place them in your memory box or on a bookshelf outside
the kitchen.

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 Appliances and Gadgets
When it comes to kitchen appliances, it is important to remember the following:

KEEPING THEM WILL NOT PUT MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKET!

You’re not alone if you feel guilt or shame for appliances you purchased and did not use. This is part
of the self-discovery process! You are learning what you like and use frequently and what you do not.

Before you touch any items in your kitchen, go through the list on the next page. When you’re
done, you’ll have a better idea of what to keep and what to let go.

Ask yourself . . .
•? Am I keeping an appliance because I spent a lot of money on it? YES or NO

•? Would my kitchen function better if these bulky appliances were gone? YES or NO

•? Would my kitchen FEEL better without guilty reminders of money I spent and am not making
use of? YES or NO

Common Questions and Answers

I know I should not keep appliances Please know these two things:
because I spent money on them. Still,
UGH, I have spent so much money • No appliance, cookbook, or gadget will make you eat
and I thought they would help me healthier. These are new habits that need to be forged.
cook healthier. This makes it hard to HOWEVER, having a simplified kitchen has helped our
part with them because I know I still family eat healthier over the years because I enjoy being
need to be healthier and SHOULD be in it more, and it’s easy for other family members to use
using them. it too.

• Once the appliance is gone, you won’t give it a second

thought. Stop torturing yourself and let it go!

If I want to sell my small appliances Nope! Make sure that it’s super clean and have any parts or
online, do I need the original box manuals with it that you still have.
and user’s manual? I have no idea
where they are!

My husband wants to try and sell Agree to a time parameter for letting the item go. For
this stuff, but I want it GONE. We example, “If you list this for sale on Marketplace and it
have so much to deal with already. doesn’t sell by Sunday, we will donate it.”
What should I do?

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 K itc h e n s
The Process
Step 1 Look at the table below. Put a checkmark for each item showing how it is functioning
in your kitchen. I define “regularly” as weekly and “occasionally” as every 1-3 months.

APPLIANCE REGULARLY OCCASIONALLY DO NOT USE DO NOT HAVE

Air Fryer
Blender
Bread Maker
Coffee Grinder
Coffee Maker
Crockpot
Deep Fryer
Dehydrator
Electric Frying Pan
Electric Tea Pot
Food Processor
Hand Mixer
Immersion Blender
Instant Pot
Juicer
Pasta Maker
Rice Maker
Sandwich Press
Stand Mixer
Toaster
Veggie Steamer
Waffle Maker

Step 2 With each appliance Keep Only Keep Donate

do the following: these if you have or Sell
comfortable
space for it

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 Pantry
It is a fact: pantries get messy. They require maintenance and upkeep, and, well, it’s easy to
close the door and save the work for another day. A better way is to open the door and learn
how the space functions today and how you want it to function going forward.

Ask yourself . . .
•? Am I the type of person who uses expired foods? YES or NO

•? Why have I let food expire?

•? What is my cooking style for this season of life?

Survival, where I cook the same items most days

Creative, where I am enjoying cooking and baking

•? What is currently stored in this space that does not fit or could be stored elsewhere?

The Process
Each of these steps can be completed independently, depending on the time or energy
you have available. NOTE: If you do not have a pantry, start with step 2, and use it for any
location where you have most of your pantry-type items (such as food and appliances).

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 K itc h e n s
Step 1 Trash & Tidy. Remove trash and
straighten up the area.

Put away items that do not belong in

this space.

As you work, ask yourself, “What items

would it be nice to find a space for up
off of the floor?”

Step 2 Survey the shelves. Look for the

following items:

• Expired foods that food banks will

not accept.
• Non-expired foods you’re not
using or do not like. If they are
unopened, donate them to the
local food bank.
• Almost empty packages of food.
• Non-food items you do not use.
• Appliances (see Appliances and
Gadgets).

Step 3 Zone the pantry. Use Post-it notes or

blank paper to create a sign for each
section of the space. Sample zones
include:

• Canned and jarred goods

• Pasta, rice, dry goods
• Baking supplies
• Quick meals or sides
• Snacks
• Dressings, oils, vinegars, spices
• Beverages
• Paper products
• Party supplies
• Appliances

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 Step 4 Move items into the general area
of their zone. As you do this, simplify
down to what comfortably fits in this
space. Be sure to leave room to move
items around and ask the questions:

• Do I have enough room in each

zone for the items that need to go
there?
• Are there items that need to be
stored elsewhere (party supplies,
emergency food storage, and large
pots can be moved to other storage
areas)?
• Do I need to add organizational
accessories such as containers?
NOTE: Not every item needs to be
in a container. Items can be put
directly on the shelf.

Step 5 Add labels. Label the containers or

shelves using either a label maker or a
piece of paper that you apply with clear
tape. Also, consider the others who will
access the pantry. Design your labels
so they make sense to everyone. If you
have younger children, consider using
pictures for the most likely foods they
will reach for, such as bread, cereal, etc.

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 K itc h e n s
Common Questions and Answers
When removing items to Give them a quick wipe down. They don’t have to be perfectly
donate that are covered in clean but try and get as much off as possible.
dust, should I clean them
before donating them?

Some foods are close to Designate an obvious location for items you want to use first. This
expiration that I want to use can be an area in your refrigerator and/or a spot in the pantry.
up. Any suggestions on how Defer to those items first when doing your meal planning.
to use them and avoid putting
them on the shelf again?

My pantry is small. How can Be sure you are using all the vertical space, including the back of
I better organize the space I your door. Use containers to consolidate items so that you can see
have? your Inventory and eliminate the need to buy duplicates, which
will potentially free precious space.

I do not have room in the You can get rid of them and use something else—for example,
house to store extra items. have only a Crockpot instead of a Crockpot and an Instant Pot. You
What should I do with can also rearrange the kitchen so that less-used items are placed
appliances and supplies I use in the harder-to-reach spaces.
less frequently?

Any tips for decluttering First, make a pass decluttering spices that are expired — you could
spices? My husband gets still use them, but they won’t be as flavorful. Second, remember,
new ones almost every trip to if you don’t like something the first or second time you use it, you
the store! probably won’t use it again. Pass on any that you didn’t care for or
don’t consistently use.

I’m so tired of wasting food! I believe this comes down to inventory. Our brains can only
Both in the fridge and pantry, remember so much. So either schedule a time each week to review
how do I keep better track of the contents of your fridge and pantry or my preference, keep less
what I have? inventory! I’m like you and can’t remember it all!

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 Cleaning Supplies
There is trial and error with cleaning products! It’s important to note: If you do not like items the
first time or two that you use them, you’ll be very UNLIKELY to use them again! Part with these
now to free up cabinet space!

Ask yourself . . .
•? What do I have that is expired or no longer viable to use?

•? Do I have a product that has been replaced with another product that I like or works
better? YES or NO

•? Am I trying to move in the direction of using more natural organic products? YES or NO

The Process

Step 1 Pull out all of your cleaning supplies

stored in the kitchen and sort them
into these three categories:
• Like and Use
• Extra Inventory
• Don’t Like or Don’t Use

Step 2 ONLY put back the ones you LIKE

and USE! If you have space to store
your extra inventory here, do so.
If not, find another location to
store them.

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 K itc h e n s
Step 3 Donate or discard the extras. You can
share them with family or co-workers.
Non-toxic cleaners can be dumped
down the drain. (This isn’t ideal, but
we’re making better buying decisions
moving forward.)

Step 4 Use containers to group like products

together and keep them from
becoming lost in the back.

Common Questions and Answers

What about keeping Do these need to be stored in the kitchen? Ideally, you want
spares or extra to keep the space where you keep your daily cleaners simple
supplies? and easy to use. You want to see what you have and where
each item goes. If possible, store extra cleaning supplies in
a space outside of the kitchen.

I hate to throw partially Offer them to the neighbors, friends, local organizations
used cleaners away. (such as soup kitchens), animal shelters, churches, and
Is there a way to share so forth. If it takes too much time to do the research, then
them with others? you can discard them.

I like to be prepared. How much storage space do you have? And how much
How many different inventory of cleaning supplies do you want to manage?
cleaners should I keep For myself, we keep extra bleach, vinegar, and citrus cleaner
on hand? stocked up, but the rest of the cleaning supplies I buy as I use
them up. This allows me to try different scents and cleaners.
But, in a pinch, we could clean anything with the three items
I mentioned.

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 Kitchen Linens
Your adventures in the kitchen certainly use the items below. Whether you cook informally or
have elaborate family functions, maybe you’re someone that finds they are a “must have.”

Kitchen linens include any of the following:

• Hand towels • Tablecloths

• Cleaning cloths • Cloth napkins
• Potholders • Table runners and doilies
• Placemats • Fabric trivets
Linens in the kitchen primarily revolve around the space you have available to store them, either
in the kitchen or adjacent pantry.

Ask yourself . . .
• Do I have mismatched hand towels, pot holders, placemats, etc.? YES or NO
?

• Is there an excess of towels that are either old or not used? YES or NO
?

• Am I keeping occasional use linens (such as those for holidays) with my day-to-day ones?
?
YES or NO

• Do I keep a large quantity of need-to-be washed items as I do not use items more than
?
once—for example, hand towels and microfiber cloths are only used once then have to be
washed? YES or NO

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 K itc h e n s
The Process

Step 1 Linen type. Select one category of linen to work on (such as hand towels).

Step 2 Count or Container. Now decide which of these methods you want to use:
Quantity I need to keep (count)

Those that fit comfortably in a drawer or on a shelf (container)

Step 3 Favorites First. Put your favorites into this designated location (drawer or shelf) by
pulling out the best one and placing it in the drawer or on the shelf first. Then pull out
your next favorite, placing it on top of the previous one. When you reach the quantity
entered in the previous step OR the boundaries of the container, STOP!

Step 4 For the items left, do any of the following:

• Demote to rags
• Donate
• Put in the trash

Common Questions and Answers

I know I do not need my What makes you afraid to let them go? Is it:
heirloom tablecloths, but I • Guilt that the person to whom the item belonged before you
am afraid to get rid of them. will be upset?
What should I do?
• That if you donate them, you’ll forget about the person that
they represent?

Could you:
• Ask another family member if they would like to have them?
• Keep one to use on special occasions?
• Let them go, trusting that you’ll still love and remember those
who passed them on to you?

My husband can use my old If you’re looking for a meaningful place to donate them, pet
hand towels in his workshop, shelters always look for towels of all shapes and sizes. Or you
but he does not want them. I could offer them to a neighbor, relative, or friend who might
hate to see them go to waste. have similar needs.
Who else will use them?

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 Kitchen Paper Clutter
The problem with paper clutter is that it ALL LOOKS IMPORTANT! You see a stack of
old papers, to-do lists, mail, and other documents and assume it’s full of scary items.
However, most often, the bulk of it can be discarded with no consequence.

When you come across a stack of papers, the first step is to tell yourself, “Paper isn’t
scary!” It’s simply a matter of breaking it down into categories, putting it where it needs
to go, and moving on!

As you work through this “hot spot,” make a mental note of how you want this area to
function. Then, once you’ve decluttered what you currently have, you’ll be able
to manage it more efficiently.

Ask yourself . . .
?
• Where does most of the paper accumulate in the kitchen (such as counter or table)?

?
• Ideally, where do I want paper to be located?

• What is my goal for paper clutter in this area? Choose one.

?

Create the habit of putting paper where it goes.

Create paper organization in the kitchen.

• Have I looked at this paper in the past six months? YES or NO

?
(If NO, put it in the trash.)

• Did I even know I had this piece of paper? YES or NO

?
(If NO, then it needs to go into the trash!)

• Does this paper need to go somewhere else (such as in the office)? YES or NO
?
(If YES, put it in that location. If NO, then toss it out.)

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 K itc h e n s
The Process

Step 1 Gather all of your papers together that are located in the kitchen.

Step 2 Do a QUICK sort into these categories. Think about where each of these categories
can be kept in your kitchen (and your house, for that matter).

Action Group like items such as bills to pay, RSVPs to send, forms to
complete, thank you notes for mailing, and so forth. Action items
require you to do something with them, so have a clear spot where
they will be kept.

Archive These items need to be kept long-term, such as tax documents,

owner’s manuals, and bills paid (these can be kept in a storage
space).

Long Term These do not require action, but you may decide to use them like
coupons, catalogs, order forms, papers sent home from the doctor.
Don’t spend too much time trying to decide. Throw it into the “time
will tell” category, and it will become clearer down the road.

Time Will Tell Sports schedules, party invites with the address and what to bring.
These are items that you need to refer to for a piece of information,
but they DO NOT require any kind of action.

Step 3 With the sorting done, each pile will feel very manageable and you can quickly put
each category away.

Common Questions and Answers

The pile on the kitchen Once you have created designated locations for items, the
counter always reappears. reappearing piles become a maintenance habit.
Any tips?

What if I need this piece of If you’re unsure, keep it; however, make sure you put it in the
paper in the future? proper place so that if you have to find it in the future, you can.

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 Clutter Catchers
What is a “Clutter Catcher”? Any spot in your house where clutter naturally accumulates.
Often this is a section of the counter in our kitchen, top of the fridge, entry tables, dining
room tables, and dresser tops.

Taming the kitchen catch-all spots consists of the following:

• Reducing inventory (this is the most important part).

• Assigning permanent homes for items with PRACTICAL organization.
• Establishing a daily habit of tidying these spaces.

With these simple steps, you can solve these problem spots in your house.

Ask yourself . . .
•? Why do items consistently collect here (for example, they don’t have a designated home,
or their designated location is too full or far away)?

•? Does my family know how I want this space to function? YES or NO

•? How can I make this space easier for them to use, too (such as using containers, labels, hooks,
or having a formal charging station)?

The Process

Step 1 Trash & Tidy. Make a quick pass through looking for obvious trash and grouping
like items together.

Step 2 Relocate. Are there items that need to be put away? Run them there quickly!

Step 3 Contain it or hang it. Our brains LOVE boundaries. Are there any containers you
can introduce to this space to gather the clutter? Is there any vertical organization
you can add?

Step 4 Maintain it. An essential aspect of feeling successful with clutter catchers is
understanding the need for regular maintenance. Try to tidy this area daily, and
you’ll never have to worry about it again!

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 K itc h e n s
Common Questions and Answers
Is it okay to have a junk Yes! But once it’s decluttered and organized, we call it a “utility
drawer? I do not know drawer.” You’ll always have random items. Simply respect the
where else I would limits of the drawer, and when it starts to get too full, declutter it.
store the random items
that are in there!

I would love to have the It is common for others to lack the organizational (and
top of our fridge look decluttering) skills you have. This may be the case with your
more organized, but it is husband. Ask him if you can place the items in a container or
my husband’s domain. tray, making it easier to lift so you can clean the top of the fridge.
Is there a way for us to
compromise?

The RANDOM STUFF! When Sometimes we need a “random stuff” bin or drawer. You do
I have a place for every item, your best to recognize categories of items and assign them a
new items appear on the permanent location, but there will always be odd things. Create
kitchen counter. What do I a container until it fills up. Then give it a quick sort. Usually, the
do with the random stuff? items at the bottom will have expired or will no longer seem
necessary to keep.

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 We hope you enjoyed this preview
of the Declutter Your Home in
15 Minutes a Day workbook!

More resources and ways to connect

are available at TheMinimalMom.com.

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