Clutterfat Challenge

I've been thinking for quite awhile I need to not just declutter but to simplify my life. Get rid of a lot of stuff that I just no longer feel the need to have but is still taking up space in my house and in my mind. I've worked at it some, but the problem is if you don't keep at it, the clutter just grows.

So yesterday in my blog reading, I came across the Clutterfat Challenge through Zen Habits. So I signed up. The challenge is to declutter your home in 30 days. Even if I don't get the whole house decluttered in that time, at least I've got a plan, or at least that's my idea. (Jan. 7 was the last day to sign up for the challenge, but really, I see no reason why someone couldn't do it without registering. Just print off the inventory and go "like" the Facebook page if you want to join in).

So this weekend, I've started on the inventory list. I've gotten through the kitchen so far (I'm counting kitchen/dining as one room because that's just how my house is), and one thing became clear pretty quick: I have way too many mugs for one person. And utensils. I didn't even count all the utensils, really, but I'll certainly be taking a look at everything and if I haven't used it on a regular basis in the last few months or don't even know what it is, in a box for the thrift store it goes.

The inventory is a before and after, and part of it is to take pictures. So, without shame, here's my before pictures of the kitchen/dining area of my home. It WILL look better 30 days from now.

Draw of utensils I don't use very often. The BBQ ones are about all I use.
More utensils. Some of these I do use fairly regularly. But there's some knives and stuff in there I didn't even realize were there. Mom, if you want any of this stuff, you better come get it!
Countertop to left of sink. Some used, some not.
Countertop to right of sink. I do use these pretty regularly.
Cupboard above right of the sink. Most of the mugs are in the dishwasher (no, I'm not showing you that!)
I have an office area in a breakfast nook addition to the house. This area is in desperate need of decluttering.
This is probably the worst. Boxes of old documents that are destined for the next "free shred" day in our area. I can probably add to them before that.
Yeah.

I need to decide what to do here. I'd like to put in a tall cabinet for a pantry ideally.

If I can get just these rooms totally decluttered in 30 days, that will satisfy me, really. Then I can just use the same method to tackle each room. If that's the case, then within 5 months the house would be done. Of course, that's not counting the garage. Sigh.