Survey #243—Full Response from Ginger
| If you shop in thrift stores, resale shops, charity stores, pawn shops, or other sources of second-hand goods, what kinds of things do you look for? Are there any categories of items that you would ONLY buy used? Any categories of items that you would NEVER buy used? | I can’t think of anything I absolutely WOULD ONLY buy used - nor any I WOULDN’T buy used - except the items usually not resold - like underwear. I keep a list of items in my phone’s reminders app. Listed under Errands. These are items I can live without. But, cI’d like to have if I come across them at a good price.  Current list: Pieces missing from my flatware. (Oneida Michaelangelo)Snack plates.4oz ramekin.Tiered tray.Books. |
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| If you’ve ever completed a major decluttering project, have you experienced re-cluttering anxiety afterwards? Please describe your experience and how you’ve tried to manage this feeling. | No. When I do a major declutter - I take before & after pictures. I think this establishes my new normal. I keep the photos in a private Facebook page dedicated to my home organization. I have photo albums for each space and some categories. These albums serve as a reference. Examples: I have cleared the bathroom linen closet - then during my husband’s health crises it exploded with all the things. I knew it was happening. I knew why. I knew I’d reset it back to zero when he progressed and no longer needed these items. I think it helps to have a clear picture of my normal. My zero. The same happened with my bedroom closet. It was perfect. Then, I stashed things there to get them out of my way during the time after my parents passed away. But, I knew what it was supposed to look like. So… I eventually got it back to zero. In my kitchen - I’m rethinking the way we store some items. So - my new normal will/may change. When/if it does - I’ll take new before & after photos. |
| How often do you deep-clean your kitchen, going above and beyond whatever daily or several-time-a-week routines you maintain? | At least once a month |
| What routines or habits have been useful to ensure that your kitchen is always clean? | I have routines for morning, coffee time, afternoon, after supper, before bed - and monthly. (Inspired by FlyLady) These seem like a lot when it’s written down. But, it’s habit & routine now. There’s a smooth practiced flow to it. It’s usually quick. Morning - Kitchen 1. Put away clean dishes. 2. Start drip coffee. 3. Check & Mark off wall calendar 4. Feed kitties 5. Quick tidy of breakfast dishes & surfaces NOTE: The bedroom, bathroom & laundry are also part of my morning routine. The whole routine takes about 30 minutes excluding making/eating breakfast. Of course, there are days I make coffee & crawl onto the sofa and start my morning routine in the late afternoon. It’s okay. Coffee Time There are no kitchen specific tasks here. This is when I sit with my water & coffee & take meds, check blood sugar, clear email, text & voice messages, call histories and photos. And, practice Duolingo Spanish & American Sign Language. Afternoon - finish laundry load, 1. Prep supper. (I do a weird thing where ingredients go to the left of my prep area. As they’re used - they get moved to the right. Then, I can take a minute to put things away.) 2. Warm soapy water in sink 3. Prep dishes into warm soapy sink water 4. Wipe up spills while cooking 5. Put prep dishes into dishwasher After Supper1. Put away left-overs. 2. Dishes rinsed & into dishwasher 3. Wipe surfaces - check oven for spills 4. Add kitty dishes to dishwasher 5. Sweep & Mop or spot clean floor 6. Take-out trash. New trash bag. Monthly - The 2nd week in each month is for my kitchen. I spend a little time each day to do a few tasks. I keep a detailed list and rotate through it. I write the date beside the task to remind me when it was last done. Section 1: Contents of the Kitchen 1. Declutter round through kitchen. 2. Update inventory list. I keep a list. It’s easy to update it. Section 2: Structure - Deep Clean1. Walls & Ceiling 2. Windows & Blinds 3. Cabinets - inside & doors 4. Drawers 5. Pantry - inside shelves, floor & door 6. Countertops 7. Faucet 8. Light fixtures & switch plates 9. Floor Section 3: Appliances - Deep Clean1. Small appliances - list 2. Large appliances - list Section 4: Decor - Deep Clean 1. Wall decor 2. Silk Plant 3. Surface Top Objects Section 5: Repair, Replace, Refresh1. Make list of needs 2. Make list of ideas about changes - what’s working, what’s not. |
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