Sometimes life feels out of control. When that happens, it’s important to focus on what you can control. This weekend, I focused on cleaning my kitchen. It did not start as a simple kitchen cleaning, mind you. It started as an innocent cabinet organizing; just a little rearrangement of cans and bags of food. (With only one food cabinet, organization is key!)
But then, once I saw the beauty of my freshly organized cabinet, I was like a woman possessed. My cleaning and organizing went to the fridge, then the freezer, then the top of the fridge (aka the extended pantry/liquor cabinet), then above the cabinets, then the counter (aka the produce shelf).
I scrubbed the counters, windexed the appliances, ajaxed the sinks, wiped down the cabinets, scrubbed the blackboard (yes, that is where the name comes from!), washed the air filter, refilled the napkins and paper towels, cleaned the floor, vacuumed the rug, and ended it all with a good scrub of the trash can. When I was done, I felt good. Really, really good. I often feel this way when I organize: like all is okay and right in the world, just as long as the things in my life are organized and in their place. Does anyone else feel this way?
I’m a big fan of kitchen cleaning; it happens every night, right after dinner. But a big clean and organization happens much less frequently. How often do you scrub down and reorganize your kitchen? And do you love it as much as I do??
Kate Dechant
I wish I had time to enjoy a fresh kitchen! For now, the stains serve as special memories of past dinners!
Heather
I love this post because I love kitchen cleaning beyond rationality. I would do the full scrub at least weekly if my roommates would let me. I'm already anal about it. I've been late for work just because I'd stay and clean too long in the morning. I'll "hide" food that's not mine because it's on the wrong shelf in the fridge, and I'll completely re-load the dish washer because I think my way is more efficient. But the best part of all of the cleaning is making my coffee maker SPARKLE, because the difference is so obvious. Moral of the story: it's not wrong to derive joy from intense productivity. I'm just glad I'm not the only freak.