Our experiments with less over the past few weeks were done in hopes of being able to recognize our own personal "enough" in the kitchen. It took a bit of work + soul searching to reach this point. Let's be intentional about what we do with this clearer idea of "enough" going forward.

• Think through what you want to do with this knowledge.

 

• Emphasize the abundance + freedom these desires offer. 

 

• Define personal values associated with these desires.

 

• Allow your positive desires + values to fuel your discipline.

• Consider writing these + your list of "enough" down on paper.

As for me :: I want to rest in enough. I want to make nourishing food for my family. I want everything to fit into the kitchen that I have. I want have confidence that moving can be manageable. I want freedom from the constant desire for more. I want everyone to have enough. 

I value farmers, whole foods, health, peace of mind, being a part of making sure there is enough for everyone's need, our planet, living within our means + keeping things out of the landfill.

I copy my list of "enough" into the first pages of my journal each year as both reference + reminder. My entire list is entitled: "Enough :: Replacements Only" as a reminder that this is all I need to make delicious + nutritious meals for my family. My list has been thoroughly tested over the past few years. Having all of these things written down somehow makes me feel like my mind no longer has to wonder what else I might want or need. 

My desires + values make me feel happy + strong + resolved. This is no grit-your-teeth deprivation. This is sweet liberation enabled by a joyous conviction. And I still get to shop for colorful, delicious, nutritious food every week!  :)

Love,
​Jane

​I'm not sure if anyone decided to do any of the experiments with less over the past few weeks. This might have seemed like a weird time to try less in the kitchen, but it might just have been the perfect time. The holidays are the just-in-case time that we are often thinking of when we wonder if we could ever do without all of the things we keep in our kitchens. These holidays were probably different than the usual (due to Covid-19), but they might be just the ones to get us thinking a little bit differently. (Also...there is no reason that these experiments couldn't be done now or at any point.)  :)

If you did do any or all of the experiments with less, how did "less" make you feel? Did your drawers, cupboards or walls feel a little bit less chaotic? Was it easier to clean? Did simple methods make you feel a little bit more in touch with your meals? Did you feel less pressure to use neglected tools? Did you employ any new habits? Were there any benefits? Did you start thinking differently about anything? Have you come closer to recognizing your personal "enough"?

It might be helpful to write our answers down. The act of writing can anchor these thoughts in our minds. Ask the others living in your space for their feedback. Sometimes we get surprising answers. Sometimes I find that I've been anticipating people's annoyance...only to find out that they like the change + have positive reasons that I haven't even crossed my mind! (yay!)

Use what you keep. I like to use my sentimental items, because I get to see them + they make me happy. A friend of mine displayed her children's painted plates around the soffits in her kitchen. We used our girls' painted plates for our meals for years. As our girls grew older, I thought they might be less enthusiastic about eating off of them when friends came for dinner. Now we eat their birthday cakes off of them each year. 

​(It might also be helpful to go back to the original posts :: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 :: to revisit some of the considerations when deciding what to include in our "enough".)

Excess pieces :: 
Get them used. Let's do our best to get our excess items into the hands of those who will appreciate them. If others want an item to stay in the family, entrust it to them. My goal is kindness when offering items to others. I let them know that I'm letting go of some things + if any of those things might be useful to them...great. If not...great. I just thought I'd offer. 

I try to be mindful of not letting these things become another's burden. If someone has a problem letting things go or has already communicated feelings of overwhelm or guilt in regards to "stuff", I might not ask them if they wanted more things. I think that is kindness too. Offer things to an agency that works with adolescents aging out of foster care, refugees, abused mamas, formerly incarcerated or homeless folks. Sell things or offer them on a free website. 

Hopefully these experiments with less have left you feeling more of something positive! Hopefully they've helped you recognize your "enough" in the kitchen! Take note + celebrate!

Love,
Jane

Recently, I was going through Julia's room with her. (I think she likes the company + moral support.) She has repeatedly expressed the desire to have a more minimalist room...one without a lot of useless stuff in it. We go through her room regularly, but she felt like she still had more things than she needed. With visions of Bea + Scott's boys' adolescent bedrooms (pictured above) in her head, Julia was feeling motivated.

As Julia pulled out bins + boxes, there were so many little things that I recognized as gifts + stocking stuffers. These gifts became things she felt obligated to keep...even if she didn't need or use them. Julia recognized them as nice things...potentially useful things...but she just never used them.

As Julia agonized over each special book + pen, I thought about my role in this struggle. It can be hard to know what our children (or any of us really) will connect deeply with...so we gift a number of things in order to give them options.

I went through all the toys in my girls' rooms with them every few months even when they were toddlers in order to let them know that they didn't have to feel obligated to keep things (even the things I gave them). If I want them to keep some things, then I can take responsibility for keeping those things. Realizing that has, at times, allowed me to let go too.

Even with these realizations + actions, excess things remain. And stuff comes with responsibilities...which often translates to just plain burden. With a birthday close to Christmas, Julia has reminded me a few times that she really doesn't want any more stuff. She said it felt like waking up inside a cloud the morning after the big purge. I know how hard she worked to let things go, so I'm honoring her request.

My goal this season is the same as it has ever been...to not gift useless filler...because that is no gift at all.

Some ideas of what we'll be doing instead:

• providing opportunities to gift elsewhere
• cooking + baking + eating together
• bundling up for our traditional Christmas hike
• watching movies with good snacks
• setting limits to money spent, because that's when creativity gets leveled up​
• gifting consumables, necessary replacements + maybe a communal family gift to enjoy together

​Inspiring photo via Zero Waste Home.

Love, 
Jane

Step 2 :: Consider how many of each of the things we feel we "need" would be "enough". It's worth noting what things truly fall into the "need" category versus the "want" category. My intention is not guilt, but gratitude here. Many of us have access to more than we truly need. Recognizing this can change our perspective significantly on so many things.  

I suggest writing these numbers down, because it might be hard to remember them when we are looking at our things. I'd suggest considering how many people live in your house at the moment + how many of each item are necessary to make it through one week (considering laundry).


My personal thoughts: 3 towels, 3 washcloths + two potholders are enough for us

Step 5 :: Repurpose the leftovers!  :) 

• Pull out anything that is ready to become a zero-waste, cleaning rag. Washcloths + napkins might already be the right size for rags. Kitchen towels can be cut in half + hemmed along the cut edges for longevity (but it's not necessary).
• A pretty holiday tablecloth could become a gift or could be cut up to make reusable gift wrap...furoshiki, bento or drawstring bag style.
• Make bulk bags 
• Use as reusable tissues
• Carry a napkin to avoid needing disposable napkins or paper towels when you are out of the house. They also come in handy when buying bulk treats like a bagel or cookie (non-Covid times).
• Use fabric for patches, quilting supplies, pillow cover

Or pass items on to someone who can use them. (Offer them to friends, family or an agency that works with adolescents aging out of foster care, refugees, abused mamas, formerly incarcerated or homeless folks.) 

Of course, we may decide to keep a few things that aren't necessarily necessary right now. These extras might stretch the need to buy anything new for a while. The key is to remember that we have "enough".  

Step 6 :: Use your curated collection of kitchen linens + implement any new habits/methods. Observe the feelings these changes bring.  :)

​Find all of our experiments with less in the kitchen here: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05.

Love,
​Jane

Step 1 :: Take everything out. 

​Step 2 :: Clean the drawer(s) + let it/them dry.

Step 3 :: Divide all the things into three piles.

• Supplies- things like extra batteries + lightbulbs 
• Just-in-case things 
• True junk (to be recycled, composted or trashed)

If there are things that would be better placed in the tool box or with the art supplies, etc....get them where they need to go.  :)

Step 4 :: Go through each category considering the following + setting aside things to let go.

Supplies ::

• Are these useful to my current life? Are they expired or working? Have you switched to rechargeable batteries, but still have a stash of regular batteries? 
• How many is enough? I can't use 12 smoke detector batteries before they expire. 
• When do I plan on using this? If you don't plan on using it in the next year or two, maybe it's a just-in-case item. Move it to that category.

Just-in-case things ::

• Be honest with yourself about the likelihood of needing these things. If it's not likely it will get used in a year or two, maybe you can get it into the hands of someone who will use it.
• Consider whether an alternative is possible. Could something else do the job, if necessary? Could you borrow one?
• Consider how much it would cost to replace it...in the unlikely circumstance that it would need to be replaced.

​True junk ::

• get it into the recycling, compost or trash

 Step 6 :: Get extra resources to those who can use them.

• Do your best to get useful supplies into the hands of those who will appreciate them. (Offer them to friends, family or an agency that works with adolescents aging out of foster care, refugees, abused mamas, formerly incarcerated or homeless folks.) 
• Take spare office supplies to work, school or church.
• Even small things get snapped up on a local, free listing website. Maybe offer a collection of odds + ends all together.

Take note of the feelings these actions bring. I often feel a little lightness about doing the work of getting them used + not sending them to a landfill.

We are calling this series "experimenting with less" + the observations of this "experiment" will be carried out over the course of maybe a year or two. Take note of how often you need something you let go. Do you mind that that resource was made useful to someone else in the meantime? Was it a total drag or expensive to replace it?

Another goal here is to notice + change what we bring into our homes. When we need a new battery, we can purchase a pack of two rather than feeling the need to buy the biggest pack. Less stuff takes up less space + is easier to keep organized. This makes it easier to see what we have + to use that up rather than buying more...which saves money, resources + waste.

​Find all of our experiments with less in the kitchen here: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05.

Love,
Jane

Tuning in to "enough" has made me aware of the ways that it could be useful to those just starting out or starting over. Most of us move away from home at some point + need a few things in order to keep ourselves fed. When we moved overseas twice, I had to consider what was most important to replace right away, when we reached our new homes. Previously fostered young people, refugees, newly housed persons + formerly incarcerated individuals all need to consider what kitchen items are necessary in order to feed themselves. 

When we are starting out or starting over, we often don't have a ton of money + need to prioritize purchases. When we are downsizing or taking life on the road, we also need to prioritize. Knowing "enough" when combining households can allow us to realize that we don't need as much space (as large a house or apartment) for all of our stuff.

I was recently talking with someone considering one such move + was able to go reference my personal list of "enough". (I keep a written list in order to stay mindful.) We talked through the price of each item + which ones to look for secondhand. We discussed how to consider if she would use an item with her preferred meal choices + that she could surely do without things until the need arises.

Thinking through personal desires + habits is so important when starting out. Stocking a kitchen from scratch need not be overly stressful or especially costly. ​We do no one any favors when we make them feel like superfluous stuff is a necessity...just because we've been told everyone should have one. We can be helpful + encouraging resources for people when we are aware of how little is truly necessary. 

There is enough for everybody's need. Let's participate in this balancing action.  :)

Love,
Jane

Step 1 ::
Pull all of the cookware (pots, pans, etc.), cooking utensils (knives, spatulas, etc.) + small appliances (rice cooker, bread machine, tortilla press, coffee paraphernalia, etc.) out onto the table (or counter). Open every drawer + cabinet just to check that everything is out. (I didn't do this + kept thinking of more things to add.) How does it feel to see all of this in one place? ​

Step 3 :: 
Consider thinking differently about what + how much cooking equipment might be "enough". 

• Consider how many of one thing you need. I've found that a paring knife is the only knife I need. Two wooden spoons are enough for me.
• Consider using things in a variety of ways. Take a look at our series multifunctional in the kitchen for a little inspiration.
• Consider alternatives to items you don't use often. Making bread by hand might be a lovely, slow activity to savor, freeing space taken up by a bread machine. Make sheet cakes instead of using cake pans. Make a blueberry coffee cake rather than blueberry muffins. Use a bottle rather than a rolling pin.
• Consider your community of family + friends. Do you need to own every tool or could your community of family or friends share some tools? Or could one of you be the one who becomes an expert at making pasta while another volunteers to make the birthday cakes? I love considering how much closeness + fun this could foster too. 
• Consider the diets you're working with. We choose not to eat meat at home, so I don't need a roasting pan. One of us is gluten intolerant, so I don't need bread pans. When I want to make sweet breads or muffins, I use my glass baking dishes. (No paper muffin cups or struggle to get muffins out of the tin either.)

​This isn't an exercise in deprivation, but I do think that the kitchen has become a place where marketers have found an especially rich playing field. There is a gadget for each + every process. Our hands can squeeze citrus. A knife can mince garlic. Yet, I have owned both a lemon squeezer + a garlic press. ​

Step 5 ::
Choose your most versatile cookware to cook with for the next month. Taking a look at things by category might be helpful here. This is what I'm working with:

small appliances ::

• toaster
• kettle
• blender

coffee/tea stuff ::

• coffee press
  
• grinder 
• cold brew strainer
• tea strainers- one large (for iced tea) + three small

pots + pans + cooking dishes ::​

• a large pot + a small pot + lids
• cast iron skillet + glass lid
• sheet pan
• 3 glass dishes + lids

small cooking tools ::

• ladle, 2 wooden spoons, can opener, small + large funnels, small + large spatulas, chopstick, grater, whisk, knife, measuring cup + spoons, thermometer

extras ::

• cutting board
• small cooler​

set aside : icecube tray, small spiralizer (used in the warmer months) + cookie cutters (actually art supplies that we used to make ornaments)

Step 7 :: 
Cook with less for the rest of the month. If you come up against a situation that you would usually use a put-away item for, try to get creative. I don't mean, just make something else. Use the blender rather than the hand mixer for the whipped cream. Cut up the apple by hand rather than using the apple corer.

Talk to friends + family about strengthening community around food. Share food (not Covid). Be creative.  :)

​Find all of our experiments with less in the kitchen here: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05.

Love,
Jane

This November might be a great month to focus on hand making as many holiday gifts as possible. It might be a good time to get creative about celebrating the holidays apart/together. And it might be a good time to experiment with less in the pursuit of finding "enough".  :) 

Experimenting with less doesn't mean that we have to get rid of all of the things that fall outside of our "enough". It might just affirm that we have enough + don't need more. It might allow us to release some resources for the use of others. It might help us manage the laundry, toys or dirty dishes more easily + effectively. All of these outcomes could be especially useful around the holidays...in the midst of a pandemic.

There are a many ways that we could approach this experiment, a few of which include:

• Going through our things "shopping" for what we imagine is "enough"...moving the excess to another cupboard, room or basement/attic...and experiencing life with what's left.
• Collecting (+ separating out from the rest) the items that we use during the month. 
• Deciding on some system shifts to try out for a month...like having six plates + cups out for a family of four and asking each family member to wash their dishes after each use.

The examples above each reference the kitchen + that is where I propose we start this go round. Obviously, one can begin wherever they'd like...and often that is in the wardrobe. I intend to get there too, but I thought November might be a good time for the kitchen. ​

I'm interested in finding + recognizing "enough", in part because I think that it is a crucial part of living more lightly on our planet. It's a crucial part of creating less waste. Caring for + maintaining less creates less stress + is therefore better for our health + wellbeing. Less is easier on our budgets + demands less of our paychecks. It demands less of our planet's resources. It clears a pathway toward generosity.

Less stuff might allow us to be a little more nimble during a move. We might be able to choose a smaller home that costs less to own + less to heat or cool. We might need less furniture to store stuff. We might have more time to take a walk or notice the light rather than cleaning or organizing. 

I love beautiful things, but I don't need to own all of the beautiful things. There is nothing like a little space to allow the beauty of simple things to shine. One lovely pair of pajamas to slip on each morning over the tank that I sleep in is luxurious. A couple of modestly sized, white pumpkins provide seasonal cheer. Beauty can be a most suitable companion of less.

So, how can we go about finding "enough"? It would be wonderful if there were some sort of list that would satisfy. As it stands, each of us will find that we come to different conclusions. Our circumstances differ. Our desires differ too. Our "enough" may change with time, age, family make-up, living situations, work requirements, weather, location, or any number of other factors. We must experiment.

What we do with our knowledge of "enough" will differ too. We may decide to scale back to our newly found basics in order to pay off debt or save toward a goal. We may live with layers of extra padding, but find rest in our knowledge. We may live with what we have knowing that it will last a long while. We may share our excess with unfettered joy. We may sheer ourselves away from life as we know it + realign ourselves toward a newfound freedom.

Less moves us toward freedom in any case. Come.

Find our experiments with less in the kitchen here: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05.
Re-evaluating the more-than-enough.
Moving forward with "enough" in mind.

Love,
Jane