FIFO

I’ve worked quite a few food service jobs in various capacities in my life. A couple of the lessons really stuck with me. The first was, work clean. “Clean as you go” was a big part of my early fast food training, along with “time to lean, time to clean.” Work at anything long enough and you become an expert. I’m pretty expert at keeping things clean and organized. Clutter is anathema to me.

The second thing that stuck was the lesson about product rotation. You receive regular food deliveries in restaurants, sometimes daily, and, as it’s important to use the oldest products first to minimize spoilage, waste, and dollar loss, the acronym “FIFO” was born.

“First in, first out” refers to product rotation behaviour that sees older items brought to the front of storage areas, freezers, and coolers as the new ones are delivered. Most of us do this at home, putting the new milk behind the old in the fridge.

Product Rotation

Even if the product isn’t consumable, it’s still a good idea to rotate what’s being used to ensure equal wear. Or so my brain tells me. I FIFO a lot of things in my house, things like my dishes and towels. I want to ensure everything gets a chance to be used. I always feel a bit sad for the perpetually left-behind napkin, etc. Rotation helps make sure one’s silverware doesn’t end up half-scuffed and half-pristine, and that the towel colours stay matched.

I product-rotate my clothing as well. Clean clothes are always placed at the back of the drawer, shelf, or closet, and I only draw from the front. I put that rule in place to make sure I didn’t end up wearing the same three things, which has happened in the past. Doesn’t everyone have a favourite shirt?

A discussion of clothing rotation makes it sound like I’m making full use of my wardrobe, but that’s not the case. I don’t worry much about the product rotation of my dresses, skirts, and hard pants because I’ve given up wearing them. It’s been a hot minute, for sure. I had big plans to make this the summer to the dress, and as we’re only a week in, all is not lost.

Nike Again

The secret to wearing the dresses is to wear the dresses. Just do it. I have some mild concerns that some aren’t quite appropriate for daytime, dog walking, or gardening, but then again, I’m now a woman of a certain age, and there are fewer rules. I’ve entered the crone years and I’m working to embrace my inner Ouiser Boudreaux – “I’m an old [southern] woman, and I am supposed to wear funny clothes, ugly hats, and dig in the dirt. I don’t make the rules.”

I’m an adult, and my kids are grown, and I can do what I want. If what I want to do is wear sparkles to the grocery store, so be it.

I’ve also decided to model me some Dorothy Zbornak and Julia Sugarbaker. If one’s going to wear long and flowing to the dog park, it’s best to have snappy comebacks at the ready. Or at least the courage of your convictions. I do find that I have less fear these days. That’s another gift the Menopause Fairy brought. Or perhaps it’s simply a function of years.

Dipping further into my closet will also help with my goal of not buying clothing for a year. I slipped a couple of times – I bought some yoga pants and t-shirts at the thrift store, and I needed more socks – but mostly, I’ve been good. I’m a smidge bored with the clothing I keep choosing to wear, but that doesn’t require shopping so much as changing where I look. No doubt my t-shirts will breathe a sigh of relief at the break. Product rotation is easier with things on hangers, anyhow.

How do you manage your clothing?

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