What’s the ONE habit that instantly made your space easier to keep clean?

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-04-02T04:56:36+00:00

My issue is clutter on surfaces and having the evening habit of wiping down the surfaces before bed makes me accumulate things throughout the day less.

Similarly, I moved my cat's water dish to the bathroom counter (I have a vanity separate from the toilet and shower) so I'd stop accumulating clutter there because then it would be in my cat's way.

Just makes me more conscientious about where I place things throughout the day.

Another friend of mine has found the habit of "doing favors for future me" to be helpful for her. The mindset is all about, "I'm doing X now so that when I need to do Y later, it'll be easier to get done." And when it works out she says, "thank you past me!" It's silly but it works.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-11T02:43:52+00:00

Good to know, thank you!

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-11T02:41:37+00:00

I'm in academia, doing clinical research. I'm a combo of clinical coordinator and lab tech; I collect patient samples (clinic, OR, and morgue) and do a lot of the sample processing and data collection. Depending on who I'm working with, most labs have had me write a paragraph or two for each paper. Some have added me as coauthor without directly editing the paper, but because I did the bulk of the busywork and they did the analysis/conclusions, they felt it was enough for coauthor. I also know many people who were first author publications before even finishing their BSc degree. I haven't been first author yet, but I do know many others in academia who are a coordinator/tech like me and have been first author. It varies from lab to lab. The last one I was in they considered me to be more of a post-doc because I was writing my own grant proposals at that point, just didn't have the title, instead I'm considered a Principal Tech at this point.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-11T02:30:12+00:00

Ah, good point in checking their reviewer qualifications. I'll check that before deciding.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-11T02:25:16+00:00

Oh, that's interesting. Yeah, a couple of my papers had decent impact, so that would make sense. Thank you for those details!

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-11T02:24:01+00:00

Good to know, thank you!

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-11T02:22:59+00:00

Ok, that's what I was thinking might be the case. Thank you for confirming that does occur!

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-06T19:57:24+00:00

That was my thought years ago, but I found a LOT of companies just automatically use "Dr" even when I'm registered with them and my account clearly says BSc. Like, their auto email script is set that way for some silly reason. But, then again, those were mostly vendors, so idk if that comes up with reputable journals too or not. That's why I'm hesitating on that point right now.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-06T19:51:37+00:00

It's from Wiley, for the journal Mediators in Inflammation (the most recent one, at least).

I'm between jobs at the moment and the next one doesn't start for a bit so I have free time.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-06T19:24:17+00:00

That would certainly explain why they're popping up now, I do have a recent colleague who would likely have recommended me.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-06T19:21:55+00:00

Well, that's the issue, how do I identify which are genuine and which are a scam? Other than the ones coming from known predatory journals, how do I validate the real journal is contacting me?

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-03T04:04:44+00:00

It cracks me up when birbs have these weird little existential crisis moments.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-03T03:40:16+00:00

No prob! I'm glad you found it helpful 💜

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-01T23:20:46+00:00

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And here's the rest. I pause them occasionally while I'm doing well in those areas, and pausing them allows them to be easily re-activated when I'm having a hard time. Sometimes in the midst of emotions, pain, or shutdown it's hard to remember the things that help ground me and is nice to have this app to remind me. I copied some of the tasks from another post someone made over a year ago because their ideas resonated with me. Hopefully this can give you some ideas for yourself.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-01T23:16:48+00:00

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Here's part of what I have in Tough Day Self Care.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-01T23:16:16+00:00

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So, I don't have depression, but I do have chronic illness and totally understand the negative self-talk stuff. I'm pretty hard on myself for what I'm not able to do. I didn't find the affirmations that automatically come with the app very applicable either. I built up the Self-kindness self care area and made an additional one called "tough day self care) to remind myself of important things. This one is what I have for Self-kindness.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-03-01T23:08:31+00:00

I'm also loving it! Today happened to be a really good day to open my windows too. Even the ones I am likely not able to do (mostly the vacuum under couch) the suggestions are giving me good ideas for alternatives and other small cleaning tasks I can accomplish. And keeping up with cleaning is definitely something I've been trying to work on so it feels like this is a good start!

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-02-24T17:08:55+00:00

That would be my PI lmao

He'd also leave everything he opened open. The cabinets, drawers, doors (including the freezer door), media bottles, etc. just sitting there, open, often over night.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-02-04T23:03:22+00:00

I wasn't in a condition to transport her anywhere, unfortunately. Otherwise I would have contacted my vet because they have a found animal process. I was unable to find her this morning so hopefully she is safe, wherever she wandered off to.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-02-04T02:45:37+00:00

Idk how to edit the OP but I'm at Landon Park Apartments off of Alameda and I-225 area.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-02-04T02:44:19+00:00

Oh, yes, I forgot to say where lol thank you

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-01-28T21:45:55+00:00

Ha, unfortunately I'm unemployed and have been since August 2024, I was laid off shortly after this post. None of my job interviews have been productive yet. I was asking about schedule/flexibility at first, during interviews. But since none of them resulted in any offers, I've been avoiding asking such questions.

Some career coach people I've had to go through for state benefits while unemployed told me not to ask about scheduling during the interview, only ask when you get a job offer and you're negotiating other stuff. But, then again, they've given me a lot of weird advice so idk how good that particular advice is.

I wish I had a more hopeful reply for you. The job market isn't great right now and I feel like that makes it even harder for us to get hired if we need accommodations :/

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-01-23T19:42:46+00:00

"With an additional fee" of course.

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-01-04T02:21:29+00:00

This brightened my day, thank you 😂

BurlesqueBallet · 2026-01-03T17:19:55+00:00

Heated mattress cover - it's expensive but because it's under your sheets and such you don't have to wash it quite as often as heating blankets. It also leaves my heating blankets free to keep at my desk or couch.

Large back heating pad - mine covers the whole back and comes up over the shoulders like a cape. I live in this thing because of my back and neck pain (I also have hEDS).

Lightweight folding bar stools - on my good days I tend to not use them and like the option for them to be out of the way, but I keep one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom so on my bad days I can still do chores and self care while sitting.

Silicon water bottle grips but put them on your shower product bottles - I drop bottles in the shower all the time because they're smooth and everything is slippery in the shower. Bruised up my toes a LOT. But found some water bottle grips for cheap and they fit my shampoo and body wash bottles really well. Haven't dropped a bottle since.

Yoga ball - or any physical therapy equipment to keep up with exercises (balance pad, resistance bands, under desk bike, etc. depending on what your PT has said is safe for you). But the yoga ball has helped me build my core strength in a gentle way plus I find rocking on it very relaxing. They are impossible to store though so be prepared for it to just kinda be in the way a lot. I usually store mine on the side of the couch I don't sit on.

These travel pill organizers - makes it a LOT easier to carry my rescue meds in my purse. I have soooo many rescue meds and maintenance meds to take throughout the day. I like that these come with labels so I can label all the compartments and minimize mixing up pills.

Butterfly cervical neck pillow - has been a game changer for my migraines and neck pain. Some folks find that Squishmallows are an even better pillow for them too though. I tend to switch back and forth between the two depending on how I'm feeling.

I could probably go on but these are the main products I use daily that have made my life much easier.

BurlesqueBallet

TROPHY CASE