What is your actual routine? And your ideal routine?

[Chad]

I didn't find any sort of cleaning or housework threads in a search, so I guess this cleaning question fits here:

I plan to do some cleaning soon in spaces that I know have a lot of dust bunnies. We've also had mice problems so that's a concern. Although we cleaned out a room in 2021 and I recall dust in the air to the point where I coughed and felt a little ill for maybe half a day, I'd want to wear a mask or something at least this time.

My main concern is that since the pandemic, it's come out that the microfibers in masks have titanium particles and other bad stuff in them. Were they always like that? I mean, in the "old times" people would wear a mask when cutting the grass and stuff like that. What do you cover your face with when cleaning? I have an air purifier that I haven't used yet and that might help too.

If there's a more appropriate thread, perhaps someone can let us know and we can move it.

Anyway, part of the concern with mask wearing was the length of time that people would be wearing them - the bacteria and viruses that would grow in the mask, the rebreathing of CO2, lack of oxygen, and so on - and for 8+ hours a day, every day, for months and more, but it doesn't sound like you'll be wearing them for any length of time that should be of any concern. When doing particular kinds of work - construction, deep cleaning - many of us will wear masks appropriate to the job.

I'm guessing the majority of masks recommended will suffice for what you're talking about. If you were to be doing it for a long term job, then perhaps you could look into the pros/cons of particular masks.

Having worked in an old hangar where mice had been living and that was also particularly dusty I would recommend some type of face covering because their detritus seems to become more easily air borne.

I came across one of the sessions the other day and the ensuing discussion made a lot of sense, it was basically about heavy metal toxicity and cleaning products, and my takeaway was that for some of our needs and activities, we're going to be exposed to toxicities of various kinds, and one of the best actions we can take is to also support our bodies ability to detox.

That doesn't necessarily mean going on a serious detox regime because one has done a few days worth of cleaning, it could just mean adding a bit of milk thistle and vitamin C supplementation to your routine, or whatever seems appropriate to the activity done. For cleaning and masks, i imagine that something general would be sufficient. There are threads in the health section that will cover those questions.

 

[lindrie]

That is called a 'to done' list. There are to do lists for tasks not completed and to done lists where you write what you've already done. Then there are 'to don't' lists. You put your vices in there.

I was lurking on this thread two months ago and really liked this idea of "To-Done" list. So much that I picked up a small notebook to do exactly that! I do have to say, its been working quite nice. I lean very much more in the un-structure routine while now building towards some structure. During the days where I felt I didn't get much done, it was good to see the to-done list and think 'oh, I did more than I though'

 

[3DStudent]

I plan to do some cleaning soon in spaces that I know have a lot of dust bunnies.

Well I postponed it for some months, but I finally went ahead with it. I didn't wear a mask, but used a lot of paper towels and peroxide. While I was worried about dust, I rather should have worn gloves because the peroxide made my hands dry and cracked for a few days.

Something that's been on my mind is the idea of paper notes clutter. I used to not be a note taker or list maker, but it seems I do it a lot now. I'll use sticky notes, but also scraps of paper. I end up with piles of various notes. I was thinking there are 4 options. I could do it less or not at all (doesn't seem practical). Or paste the ones I make for a week on their own sheet of paper. I started to date them recently and that helps.

Or I could file them away by category in a receipt document holder like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Maimis-Accordion-Organizer-Portable-Expanding/dp/B0BS74GKP8

Or make my own origami type holder:

Does anyone have a similar problem?

 

[3DStudent]

Does anyone ever feel repressed by your routine or that you have no real freedom? Lately I've wondered about how to do extra things or things outside my routine. I just have so many things that have fallen by the wayside or been put on the back burner. Some things said to just schedule or plan it, and I've not used a planner in a while.

I think it's mostly psychological for me. As in how do you find an opening, or find the rainy day to do something? It's like I want to say to the world, "Ok can you pause for a moment while I do this?" But time doesn't stop, even though it's an illusion we perceive.

Sometimes the answer is a sick day. You see, vacation paid time off I tend to relax too much, but if I'm sick (but still able to do some things) I feel like I can do some extra things and have more of a push to do so. Otherwise I feel like doing things earlier in the day helps due to more energy. Maybe even something like, don't eat breakfast until you finish this task. Or even just skip a meal in replacement. And putting on some music or a podcast helps to move your body or feel like you're doubly productive.

But anything else, or is it just a clear the logjam kind of thing?

 

[Alejo]

I'd say you have to find something you enjoy and then create a space for it within your routine. Making breaking the routine another chore, is not going to work in my opinion, but paradoxically, you do have to make an effort to pause routine, but I think the difference is not that you have to do something you're supposed to enjoy but rather something you actually enjoy.

Routines are there to conserve the order of things, so they can be stagnant, but that's not a bad thing, some things need to be boring and predictable for stability, but perhaps another way to look at it is that a break is akin to breathing, you need both for long term sustainability.

So, I would begin there, what do you enjoy? movies, walks, hikes, sports.. it can be anything, and then create the time to insert it into your routine. Or you can try something new, what have you always wanted to do, to see or to learn and try new things.

 

[nicklebleu]

As in how do you find an opening, or find the rainy day to do something?

Ohh - I know THAT one!

Tomorrow will be a sunny day, hence it’s out of the door early to process fire wood. I wish it was raining, because then I could go to my workshop and do something there, that I would enjoy much more. But the wood needs to be done, too!

Of course, this is a self-imposed narrative, and it’s a tricky one. One where one needs to balance the enjoyable things (but that are not really pressing) with those things that need to be done, and often within a certain time constraint, that is imposed by outside forces.

For me the trick is to find a healthy balance between the two - which means, that sometimes, I give in to “Can’t be bothered to do fire wood today!”, but then again, sometimes, I go “Get your lazy ass in gear, boy!”

So, balance is the key, in my view … and that balance is not a fixed thing, but varies according to one’s health, emotional and physical state. So this requires constant checking-in and reassessment, not a fixed schedule.

Tricky, eh?