My 8 Weeks to a Less Cluttered Home Project--Introduction and Day 1

I came across this blog post on keeperofthehome.com about an "8 Weeks to a Less Cluttered Home" challenge, and the idea really intrigued me.  I do feel that we live in a very consumer driven society, and we keep accumulating more and more possessions to the point where they no longer fit in our homes.  We fill closets until the door will no longer close, we fill garages and attics with boxes upon boxes, and we rent storage units to put more things in!  Research has shown that clutter negatively affects our ability to focus and process information. (source: unclutter.com, article here.)  The article further explains that you will be less irritable, more productive, distracted less often, and able to process information better with an uncluttered and organized home and office. I also read about a study on Boston.com that concludes that  "American families are overwhelmed by clutter, too busy to go in their own backyards, rarely eat dinner together even though they claim family meals as a goal, and can’t park their cars in the garage because they’re crammed with non-vehicular stuff."  I don't think that we should just get rid of everything, but do we really need all that we have?  Why do we hold on to things that we do not even use?  

I decided to give it a try!  I am following this 40 day plan.  Each day I will post about what items I have found to get rid of or to donate!  

Day 1: Kitchen Drawers-Cutlery and Cooking Utensils.

Before

Okay- yes, we had 2 whole drawers of mostly flatware!  It mildly irritated me each time I opened the drawer to see 3 times as many spoons as forks and knives.  Where did the other forks and knives go?  Where exactly did all these spoons come from anyway?  I will never know!  Anyway- I counted 22 spoons in the drawer to the left, not counting baby spoons.  That does not even count the spoons in the drawer on the right!   

after!

It felt so great to see the results!  It only took me 10 minutes to sort through everything and decide what to get rid of.  I am still going to be re-purposing that extra drawer.

The items I am giving away

8 spoons, 6 knives, 2 baby spoons, and 1 extra tray for a George Foreman grill.  

I can't wait to get started on day 2!  It felt so great to take items out of my home.  I already found someone who wants the spoons for camping, and another person who wants the knives!  (Where did I find these people?  I am in a group on Facebook called "All Things In Common" -- It's for people who live in my county to ask for and give away things- everything is free.  I just love the concept of sharing what we don't need with our neighbors.)

aaand-just a side note--I also found this really interesting post on How to Declutter Your Life.  In addition to just getting rid of physical clutter, you could take it a few steps further and declutter your finances, mind, and body!  One thing at a time for me though.  :)