Before I Could Cook, I Had to Declutter Her Kitchen

Catherine Richey
Jun 23
2 min read

I once cooked weekly for a family of six in a stunning, modern home. The kind of place with an open floor plan, a big kitchen island, and natural light streaming in through tall windows.

But the first day I showed up to cook, I couldn’t even open the utensil drawer.

Spatulas jammed sideways. Tongs tangled in chaos. Storage containers avalanching from the cabinet.

Before I could cook, I had to clear the clutter.

You don’t need eight scratched skillets with no lids.

You don’t need four football-sized stew pots under your stove.

And you definitely don’t need a kitchen that stresses you out every time you walk in.

But that’s what many of us are dealing with: Not a lack of time. Not a lack of skill. But a lack of flow.

Your kitchen is the heartbeat of your home. And when it’s out of rhythm, it’s hard to feel excited about cooking—or about life.

So, what’s stopping you from cooking?

Start by asking yourself this:

What part of your kitchen slows you down the most?

Is it a junk drawer full of rarely used tools?

A chaotic spice cabinet?

Or maybe… it’s the pressure to make gourmet meals every night?

Here’s the truth: You don’t have to cook fancy. You just need your kitchen to support you—not overwhelm you.

Ready to reset? Declutter your kitchen.

Start small:

Declutter one drawer this week. Just one.
Re-home what you don’t use. Keep only your daily go-tos. (If this feels scary, carry them out and store them in another location for a few weeks to see if you actually need them.)
Plan a basic dinner: a lean protein, a veggie, and a complex carb. (Even a simple sheet pan meal can feel like a win.)

Or… let me help.

This is exactly the kind of coaching I offer—virtually or in person.

Together, we’ll reset and declutter your kitchen, simplify your meals, and remove the mental clutter that’s holding you back from nourishing yourself and the people you love.

Because the truth is: