You said you're the only person in the kitchen when you're cooking, so do as you will.
The day you have kids in your home, please put a saucer or something next to the stove to rest your spoon on, and turn your pot handles towards the back corner, so you can reach them but a small person can't. I've seen the damage boiling oil did to a small child's face and scalp. Even a year later it was still horrific and painful.