Crumbs, cockies and charcoal – finding space and solace in the bottom of your toaster
With so much stress and heart-ache currently cluttering our lives, Rebecca Levingston says it’s the perfect time to seek a little domestic diversion.
How often do you empty your toaster?
I ask because last week I turned my double-slicer upside down and a loaf of charcoal shavings shook out. The small mountain of burned breadcrumbs on my bench seemed to suggest that I should’ve emptied it earlier. Are there rules for these domestic life conundrums? Depends on the household toasting frequency, heat setting and bread type surely.
Why am I fixating on my toaster?
Because the world is too ugly right now. Too sad. Too scary.
Is Putin going to blow up Europe?
War, floods, fires, extinction, power prices, power plays, petrol prices, racism, sexism, misosgyny, recession, hunger, corruption, homelessness and horror.
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Thailand, I can’t bring myself to read the details of slain children.
It’s too much.
I almost miss mourning the Queen because at least it wiped the news of mass death and destruction and focused only on one elderly lady who had a good run. Until I pause to think a little more deeply about the impact of that institution and I’m once again conflicted.
So I’m stress cleaning. Hence, the toaster shake up. Shake down?
It was strangely satisfying to clean up that crumby little mess. A problem, a strategy and a solution. I’m not good at domestic stuff generally, but I have bursts of productivity that are good for my brain.
Here are a couple of sure fire mental health cleansers.
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Put lids on your containers in your Tupperware drawer. Don’t keep them separated. If you can’t fit them in your drawer you have too many. Can’t match a bottom to a top? You know what to do.
Chuck it out. In fact, chuck most things.
You don’t need them. Donate it or ditch it. If you discover something that you forgot you had and you’re asking if you should keep it, the answer is no.
A special exception can be made for shoes.
My husband recently tried to conduct an intervention with me where he lined up all my footwear in our hallway. Forty pairs he estimated. Some very well worn I pointed out. Several sandals and a few thongs that barely count. The shoes remain in the hallway as it’s the perfect length for my shoe collection. Thank you darling.
Back to the kitchen therapy.
Your fridge is a goldmine for mental clarity. Your top shelf absolutely has too many condiments. Remove anything that was opened at Christmas. Tiny pickled onions are only necessary the night of the cocktail party. Vegemite lives in your pantry. If it gets mouldy before you finish it, you don’t like Vegemite.
Space on the top shelf of your fridge is a path to nirvana.
Once achieved, drop to the crisper and remove everything. Deploy aforementioned toaster shake. How does a transparent drawer that only holds iceberg lettuce and carrots get so full of debris? Don’t answer life’s complex questions, just empty it an enjoy the premium fridge real estate.
Space. I think that’s it. That’s what I’m craving. And maybe silence. I hope you’re finding both in your life via any method you can squeeze in around those pesky daily responsibilities.
Bloody hell I’ve just discovered that toasters have a crumb drawer.
