Who do we imagine we’re feeding? The 5,000?

You’d think it, wouldn’t you? From the number of cutlery place settings we end up with.

Cue a huge mish mash in the cutlery drawer.

And forgotten boxes clogging up cupboards.

I had a box of fish knives and forks wedged at the back of my cupboard.

Does anyone ever use those, these days? We certainly don’t. And we eat a lot of fish!

Why do we all buy & cling to so much cutlery?

Partly the illusion of “convenience”.

Partly “just in case” the 5,000 do turn up one day and all need feeding!

And those two illusions are at the heart of all sorts of our clutter problems.

So today we’re going to start challenging them by looking for  just 10 things in our cutlery drawer we’re ready to let go.

If you’re following along with my quick daily declutter, read on. BUT if you’re new do hop back and read how just 10 things can help you declutter easily.

Just 10 Things – Cutlery

We’ll stick to the just 10 things rules and …

• Take 5 minutes or so – 15 minutes MAX
• Focus on our cutlery drawer (or jar or box)
• Open our eyes to all our excess cutlery
• And without yanking stuff out
• Spot anything we’re ready to let go

We’re going to look out for …

• Odd cutlery that’s long since lost it partners
• Outgrown stuff for kids or grandkids
• Rusty and tarnished stuff with bust handles – or is that just me?
• Fancy stuff you don’t use or care for
• Triplicate or quadruple settings … or more

And let go of any of these cutlery items we will be happier without …

1. Knives
2. Forks
3. Spoons
4. Soup spoons
5. Tablespoons
6. Teaspoons
7. Kids cutlery
8. Fish cutlery !!!
9. Butter knives
10. Desert forks

Put all the things you’re letting go into your charity box to give away at the end of the week.

Or if it’s too fancy pop it on your sell list.

BUT don’t worry if you’re dithering.

Just 10 things is about quickly spotting clutter in plain sight we are ready to let go.

If you spot 10 things, brilliant. But 1 is great too.

Each day we let one thing go, it gets easier.

So DO come back TOMORROW to let more stuff go – remember it only takes 5 minutes.

But if you want an extra nudge – to help the dithering – and have 5 minutes now, read on …

A Little Nudge

Common mental blocks when we’re letting go of cutlery are:

• We always run out during the day
• I’ll need it all for a big party

Let’s gently challenge these beliefs.

We always run out during the day

Sometimes all the cutlery we want to use is in the dishwasher dirty but …

• Is it so inconvenient to quickly rinse stuff when I need it? It barely takes a minute.
• Isn’t it more inconvenient to store stuff I never use and don’t actually want?

I’ll need it for a big party

We do need lots of things for parties but …

• How often do we have parties?
• Is it worth storing so much to use once or twice a year?
• Do I actually use this at parties?
• Couldn’t I borrow from friends?