All Our Needed “Stuff”

As I minimized my kitchen there was one question I kept asking myself,

Do I need this?

Like really need this? The kitchen is one of the areas in the house where we are convinced we need a gadget for every possible scenario. All the automatic appliances and gadgets are meant to make life easier and more convenient. How ironic it is, when this “stuff” actually becomes the roadblock to convenience and comfort. When our stuff gets to be so excessive that it actually makes life harder…

In the book Not of This World: A Catholic Guide to Minimalism, Sterling Jaquith writes “The Latin word for ‘stuff’ is ‘impedimentum’ from which we get the word ‘impediment’ so the essential meaning of ‘stuff’ is that it holds us back or gets in the way of living our lives.” On my journey into minimalism, I have found it to be the case that often we aren’t aware of how much stuff is an impediment in our lives until we are free of it. Once it is gone, we realize we never needed it to begin with and we begin to feel less tethered. It has led me to be more detached from the things of this world. And I feel more confident in saying my treasures are in heaven.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 16:19-21

The amount of “stuff” we have is directly correlated with the amount we have to keep in order. It takes up physical space in our homes, but also mental and emotional space as well. Less stuff makes everything feel a little less chaotic and the tasks of organizing and cleaning can be accomplished with greater ease, especially in the kitchen.

Are there still things to clean??

Yes. Absolutely!

But, there are less things to clean. And less things to clean means cleaning is less of a chore, less overwhelming, more easily accepted, and more readily accomplished! Take this from the woman who has struggled for years to keep her kitchen clean. Having less helps.

The One Problem

The one problem…minimizing is hard. It is a long process. We are attached to the things we need to let go of. These attachments usually come with deep seated fears, emotional roadblocks, desires to control, idols of money, power, and comfort, and the manipulation of consumerism.

It is hard to answer the question, do I need this because we do not know what we truly need and what we can live without. We spent the money on some product and we are afraid to admit it was a waste. We are afraid to be in need. We are afraid to be uncomfortable. We are afraid to face the ways we are bound.

This is why I believe the process of minimalism is incredibly fruitful for everyone. Whether or not you end up having the same amount of items in your minimizing, doesn’t matter. There is an important journey to be had by all in learning to detach from stuff. It is important to find the items you are resistant to letting go of and discover what it is that is binding you to this “stuff”.

The Freedom from Consumerism

One of the greatest fruits in my life has been the freedom from the desire to buy more. After going through this process, I am much more careful about what I bring into my home.

In sales, the principle goal is to convince us we need this or that thing. As I went through the things in my kitchen I found it funny some of the sales tactics I had bought into. One item in particular had me really perplexed as it is one item that almost every house had adopted as a need…

The knife block.

How many of us have a knife block of 6+ knives on our counter?

Think about that for a second. Why a knife block of 6+ knives??? Are we professional chefs?? Most of us are not. What’s more, we don’t actually know what each knife is supposed to cut. Do I really need a different knife for each food item? Do I even know what the correct way to cut with each knife is? No.

Most of us do not need a knife block. We just need a sharp knife that cuts.

At first, I wasn’t sure if I could get on board with that one so I stored my knife block away (I came to this decision after my minimalist kitchen photo shoot…as you will see the knife block still in the cover photo!). But, I now have three sharp knives in the drawer. A chef's knife, a bread knife, and a paring knife. So far, I love the free counter space more than I love having a knife block with multiple knife options…which inevitably meant more to clean anyway.

"I Don’t Need” Items

Here are some other things I have discovered I don’t need in my kitchen.

A crock pot slow cooker, instead I just use my instant pot.
A citrus juicer. Friends, you need to try to juice a lemon with a whisk. Your mind will be blown.
A mesh strainer. All I need is a regular strainer and a cheese cloth.
Cherry pitter. Use a straw.
My apple corer and slicer. A knife works just fine, besides the apple corer gadget was such a pain to clean (see tip below)
Like I said, my knife block.

Here’s a tip when deciding what to get rid of…

If there is some item in particular you hate cleaning, consider getting rid of it, then you never have to clean it again!! Problem solved!! For me, the items that were a pain to clean were usually the ones which sat dirty in my sink and made the kitchen more of a chore to clean. These items were things like: the apple corer, the mesh strainer, the plethora of reusable straws, and excessive baby bottle parts. These areas have been minimized! I am so happy I never have to clean that corer again!

“I Could Have Less” Items

Some things I have discovered I need less of…

Less cutting boards.
Less cooking utensils. Less spatulas. Less big spoons.
Less plates and bowls.
Less serving platters and bowls.
Less vases.
Less Casserole Dishes, Baking Sheets, Pots and Pans
Less Appliances.
Less Tupperware (see tip below)

A Tip about Tupperware:

This is a tip about Tupperware. Exchange all your plastic Tupperware for glass. Not only because it's better for you in terms of toxins, but also because glass stays more organized. Anytime my Tupperware has gotten out of hand it is because it was plastic. Glass does not miraculously multiply the way plastic seems to and it holds space neatly.

My Minimal Kitchen Items List

Now, for the things I’ve decided to hold on to, I’ve made a downloadable list for you! (KEEP SCROLLING!)

This list is what works for me and my family. You will need to modify it to accommodate your family's size and needs. You will likely decide to keep things I got rid of and I probably chose to keep things that you don’t need as well. That’s totally fine!

For some it’s easier to have a toaster, for others it’s easier to have the free space a toaster takes up. Did you know you don’t need to have a toaster? I have heard of people using the broiler in their oven. Same applies to the microwave. I used to have our microwave plugged in in the basement. I could use it if need be but often I chose to heat up my food a different way.

Whatever decision you come to about what is best for you, remember this, the purpose is to make life simpler. Cooking and cleaning can be easier with less stuff! Give yourself less clutter and less chaos to stress out about. If you aren’t ready to commit completely yet, put a bin in storage with the things you think you can do without. See how your kitchen feels without those things and see if you can adjust to living without them.