Survey #241—Full Response from Gabriella
| Pronouns | She/her |
|---|---|
| How often are you troubled by clutter in the kitchen and/or pantry? | Infrequently or never. |
| What sources of clutter or specific issues do you experience in the kitchen or pantry? | This pertains to my home in Berlin: My partner, who spends most of the year in our home in Morocco, hat accumulated a lot of kitchen gear, of which he uses about 80% when he's in Berlin. When he's in Morocco, I keep "his stuff" that I do not use tetrissed away under the kitchen sink. Everything I use fits into 2 cabinets, (that hold pots, dishes, a curated number of utensils and a minimal pantry), a set of drawers and a small shelf that serves as a coffee bar. I keep utensils out in an 2 oblong jars near the stove. Apart from the coffee shelf, everything else There's space for a small table and 2 chairs by the window, which serves as a breakfast nook and also as my "counter space" for preparing food. I cook from scratch with lots of fresh produce, some of which I keep out decoratively in bowls and baskets. All my kitchen items have a designated place, so that I can access them easily. In 2024 I set myself the goal to keep only what I actually use. Then I did a huge declutter and subsequently tweaked the organization to make it very functional. |
| What organizing solutions or strategies have you tried or used in the kitchen, and how have they worked—or failed to work—for you? | I like to have absolutely clear counters, but I also want some things, that I use very frequently within reach in half a second, without having to open a cabinet door. I therefore keep some items out. It's a comprmise. What works: I keep only those items that I use, with very easy access to those used most frequently. Every items has a designated place and it's easy to put back after use and cleaning. A slender Ikea shelf with a white door that blends in with the kitchen cabinets holds my small vacuum cleaner and other cleaning products. My food storage is minimal and so is my designated pantry space. There are several supermarkets within walking distance, so this has never been a problem. Whenever my partner is in Berlin, the kitchen becomes his territory. I enter the kitchen only to get myself a coffee and to eat the delicious meals my partner prepares. |
| What “one-trick pony” resides in your kitchen or pantry? Why do you keep it? | I keep a Chinese bamboo steamer stored away - it's an aspirational tool for eventually preparing dim sums when my friends come over. |
| Here’s your chance to ask Gayle and Ed any question you’re curious about. It need not be related to this survey’s topic(s). If we think that your question—and our answer—might be useful or instructive to The Clutter Fairy Weekly audience, we’ll share them in an upcoming episode. | After people have done a major declutter, have you heard of them experiencing "anxiety of recluttering"? For example, I got snazzy prescription sunglasses and a leather belt for Christmas. I've been wearing both frequently already, as thei're exactly the style I like. Yesterday, however, I bought a luxurious black scarf and some pyjamas. Even though my outflow of clothing items has, in the past years been way higher than the inflow (I reduced my net inventory of clothes by over 40%), I feel somewhat apprehensive, having added more clothing lately. |
| Future topics | Living in two or more homes. Are there any benchmarks on dealing with stuff? |
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