As the first three months of 2023 come to a close, I find myself reflecting on my goals for this year. For me, 2023 is all about focusing on less. I’ve been inspired by the minimalist movement, but I don’t want to go to extremes.

Instead, I’ve coined my own term: “Minimaler”. It’s a step in the right direction without completely losing my personal style. I’m determined to become a “Minimaler” this year. Do you think the name will catch on?

There’s something deeply satisfying about organizing a cupboard or drawer and reassembling it in a neat and tidy way. But at the same time, I understand the allure of new and shiny appliances that promise to solve all your problems. It can be a tough decision, but with my new goal of becoming a Minimaler, I aim to strike a balance between “less is more” and make room for some “more” to enter my life.

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Every year, it seems like there’s a new “must-have” small appliance that takes the world by storm just in time for Christmas. The air fryer was the star of the show in 2021, but in 2022, nothing really caught my eye. I’m happy to embrace my Minimaler viewpoint and not jump on every trend bandwagon. Instead, I take my time to research and consider my options before making a purchase.

Recently, it became clear that it was time to renovate my 20-year-old kitchen. I’ve been admiring all your shiny, new additions with their modern touches and fancy finishes, but it wasn’t until now that I finally decided to take the plunge. I’m excited about the end result, but I know that the process will be challenging.

An added benefit of the renovation is that it gives me the chance to go through everything in my kitchen and re-evaluate if it still serves a purpose. This is what excites me the most! As a former home organizer, I’m excited to put my skills to the test and share my process with you.

First, it’s essential to identify duplicates and weed out any obvious extras that can be let go. Although I do have numerous duplicates of baking supplies, those items will stay since I do quite a bit of baking.

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Next, I look at everything and determine if it’s broken or no longer serves its purpose. It’s taken me a while to accept that our needs change at different stages of life, and some things no longer serve our current needs. I evaluate all the items before packing them away and decide if we’ve used them in the last two years or if it’s time to pass them along to someone else. No guilt, just creating more space by getting rid of items that are no longer useful.

Letting go of some items can be challenging, especially those we hold onto “just in case.” I understand this fear, but I’ve found a solution – the “20/20 Rule.” If you have no current use for an item and are only holding onto it for the possibility that it may be useful in the future, consider letting it go if it would cost less than $20 to replace and take you less than 20 minutes to replace it. It’s a brilliant way to remove items that we keep “just in case.”

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Another trick I use when organizing is to think about the emotional connection that I have with each item. For example, I have a set of mixing bowls that belonged to my grandmother, and although they are not the most practical, I keep them because they remind me of her and the memories we shared in the kitchen. Similarly, I have a cookbook that I never use, but I keep it because it was a gift from a dear friend. By acknowledging the emotional value of these items, it becomes easier to decide whether to keep or let them go.

As I prepare for my kitchen renovation, I am also thinking about the emotional impact that this change will have on my family. For the past 20 years, this kitchen has been the heart of our home, where countless meals have been cooked and shared, where we’ve celebrated birthdays and holidays, and where we’ve gathered as a family. The thought of dismantling this space and creating something new is both exciting and a little bittersweet.

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But I am reminded that change is a natural part of life, and sometimes it’s necessary to let go of the old to make way for the new. And just as I am decluttering and reorganizing my kitchen, I am also taking this opportunity to reflect on the other areas of my life that may need some decluttering and reorganizing.

Maybe it’s time to let go of certain relationships that no longer serve me or to finally tackle that project that I’ve been putting off for too long. Maybe it’s time to set some new goals and make a plan to achieve them. Whatever it is, I am approaching this year with a sense of purpose and a desire to simplify and streamline my life.

So, as I embark on this new chapter, I invite you to join me on this journey of minimalism and organization. Whether you’re renovating your kitchen, decluttering your closet, or just looking to simplify your life, I hope that these tips and tricks will inspire you to make some positive changes in your own life.

And who knows, maybe you’ll even become a “Minimaler” like me!

Warmly,
Verona & the Elite Kitchens Team

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