It's so easy to get demoralised sometimes when I seem to be constantly cleaning and tidying up after people. Because all of my children are still at home (not for long now though), the amount of housework can sometimes feel rather daunting and I do find myself, from time to time, feeling like an under appreciated drudge! This can lead me into negative thinking patterns which I hate.
Yesterday though, I had the pleasure of reading Rhonda Hetzel's post on her blog - Down to Earth (link in my reading list) . She has a very common sense approach and it did me the world of good to be reminded that this is now my job and that it makes sense to out in 100% effort to nurturing my home and my family. After all, I always threw my all in to my paid employment, although that's one of the reasons I became so tired and stressed!! This is different though as this is my job, for me, by me. What I put in, is what I will get out.
Reading Rhonda's post on housework yesterday ensured that I woke up this morning reinvigorated and happy to spend time on my little home today. I am most of the way through my tasks for today and I now feel content and satisfied in every way!
I rather like this quote:-
Everyone is a house with four rooms, a physical, a mental, an emotional and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time, but unless we go into every room, every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person.
- Indian Proverb -
That's part of the reason blogs are so great, you never know when someone will get right to the point and make sense of your situation.
ReplyDeleteThe rug in the first picture is amazing.
Absolutely! It was Rhonda's blog that set me off in the right direction on this journey. If you haven't read it, I would certainly recommend a look!
ReplyDeleteI love that rug - it came from Next a few years ago. It almost feels like soft cobbles under foot... Bit of a nightmare to hoover though because of the deep textured effect, but it's very cozy.
Sorry, just looked at your blog and realised that you have read Rhonda's blog! I should do my research!
ReplyDeleteYour house looks lovely, all in good order. I have put Rhonda's blog in my reading list, my list is get bigger by the day. I feel like you I look at running my home as a job, but it is enjoyable, and I love it.
ReplyDeleteI've never really thought of it like that before. I have a full time job and I found myself being resentful this weekend that I was doing the typing again! But after reading this it made me realise that, I was lucky to have the time to clean, where as my partner was snowed under with mountains of paper work. Yet I had the time to focus on our home and make it a happy environment. In a sense I had the capacity to nurture our relationship by making our home into a place we both wanted to e.
ReplyDeleteIt's taking me a while to get in to the housewife mode! I've found it difficult adjusting to becoming a housewife after spending almost 30 years at work, both full and part-time. (I took early retirement at 50 back in October). When I was still working I used to dream of all the things I could do in the home if only I had more time. Now I've got that time and I'm finding it a bit hard!
ReplyDeleteI can really empathise with you! I have worked full time, part time, been at home with small children, worked from home (mostly with small children). I have pretty much always been in charge of all aspects of housework regardless of how much time I spent working out of the house, but it's only now that I have started to see that my role is to nurture and so I'm feeling more involved and therefore more relaxed. It isn't an easy transition believe me!!! Am happy to help if you need it x
DeleteThank you. I'm getting there slowly I hope! To be honest, January has been the first "normal" month for me since retiring. We had a week's holiday in October in Cornwall for my 50th, then I had the worst ever chest infection I've ever had which lasted a good 7 weeks, followed by hubby in hospital for a week with a routine operation which went a bit wrong, followed by Christmas. In between times I've managed to do quite a bit of de-cluttering - or rather de-camping it to the spare bedroom! I do enjoy being at home and leading a more simpler life, but I do get distracted when doing tasks. I just need to get into my new routine a bit more!
ReplyDeleteBlimey, sounds like you've had a lot to deal with! You might just need to take some time to 'recover' from all of that stress! It took me three months from leaving my job to feel normal again, let alone start thinking about doing too much around the house! In that time, I spent a lot of time looking after myself for a change, but I also drew up a 'plan of action' for when I felt ready. There will be plenty of time for housework. You might like to look at Rhonda's blog - Down to Earth (link on my sidebar). I found it really helpful, especially in the earlier stages. Be kind to yourself!
ReplyDeleteHello! I clicked through to you from another blog and was so surprised to find you talking about me in this post. Your home looks lovely, you've obviously put a lot of love and effort into it. There are days when I don't feel like doing any housework but I get over it pretty quick when I realise if I don't, I won't live the life I want to live. Knowing that gets me moving again and I feel such satisfaction when it's finished and I look around. I'm sure you feel the same. xx
ReplyDeleteGoodness Rhonda, I'm so excited that you've taken the time to comment. Thank you - a real treat to know that you've read a post on my blog. Yours was the first ever blog I read, searching for some inspiration at the start of my simpler life journey. I have read your books (repeatedly!) and am already looking forward to the next one. Whenever I'm in doubt of my purpose, I can always find reassurance in your words, so thank you for helping support me along the way, even though you didn't actually know you were doing it!! Juliette x
DeleteThankfull heart is a fortable heaven which you bring everywhere
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