finding happiness in housework
- At October 18, 2010
- By Rachael
- In Books and Writing, Village life
13
I really, really want to be tidy.
I really, really want to like housework.
But (and I can’t believe I’m alone in this) it just seems like the most boring thing in the world. One of the first posts on this blog was a rant about the never ending cycle of housework and washing that comes with having four children.
So when I was offered a review copy of Danielle Raine’s Housework Blues – A Survival Guide
It didn’t. It’s not that sort of book. It won’t tell you how to become a domestic goddess, or give you the secret to a spotless sink (I can tell you that: scrub with bicarbonate of soda – makes it really shiny and won’t harm the environment, either). But it will make you think.
One of the reasons I love gardening is the mindlessness of repetitive tasks like dead-heading roses, or weeding. I find if very zen and relaxing. I’ve never looked at housework like that: I mutter and grumble and think of all the things I could be doing. Danielle’s book challenges us to look at housework in the same way, and to use it as an opportunity to contemplate life. It works. As does her sneaky method of starting something, and finding that before you know it other people in the family have joined in. (Shh)
Any writer who admits ‘I find little in common with naturally tidy people sharing their tips’ wins brownie points from me. I know my fondness for the ultimate domestic goddess, Martha Stewart is well documented, but I still haven’t mastered the dark art of folding a fitted sheet (and frankly, life’s too short).
It’s a lovely book, and miraculously, it’s made a difference to the way I think about housework. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some thinking to do, so I’m off to clean the kitchen.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
Having just spent a week with my mother in law who cleans with the excess of someone with OCD I am not sure I could handle reading this at the moment!!
My husband and I have a good balance, he cleans and I tidy. I’ve told him I will divorce him if HE starts lining his biscuit tin with foil to stop crumbs…
Tom Craik
You’re right, the book doesn’t give much practical advice but it never sets out to. Changing the way you think about housework can ultimately make much more of a difference than a book of quick-fix solutions. Once you come to terms with its role in your life, the sky’s the limit!
The Churchwarden
I hate housework. And I don’t have a flock of children as my excuse for it piling up. What I have realised is that the state of my house is a barometer of my happiness. At the present, it’s a bomb site, which means I’m not too happy – but having recognised that, I can do something about it.
In the meantime, I confess I have not hoovered for three months. Everything is covered in dog hair. This means that if anyone comes to the door, I can’t be hospitable and invite them in; I insist on conducting even long conversations about village affairs on the drafty doorstep. I cringe at the thought of letting people see what a domestic slut I am…. I can’t, however, believe that any book will help me.
Rebecca
Love this post! Not that I will buy the book as my ‘to read’ pile is already as long as my arm. I find housework tedious, but in it’s defence it is always when I am doing mundane tasks like ironing or washing up that the best plots for stories jump into my mind. Something to be said for that. Still doesn’t make me keen to iron though. Or clean. Or wash up. It’s the utter relentlessness of it that does my head in.
Deb@carrotsandkids
Sounds interesting, I’m assuming you’re knee deep in bleach and…erm…dusters or something?!
I’m really struggling with my role as homemaker at the mo (eugh, hate that word. And housewife) so loved your post.
But I want to know, *how* she challenges the way you think (and yes, am now on a budget so too tight to buy it!) xx
Eileen
That book sounds right up my street!
Morgan B.
I’m going to order that book today!
I actually love tidying my house. It’s the yard work that I can’t stand! I love reading about how much you love attending to your garden. I wish I had the same passion for it.
I have watched Martha fold a fitted sheet a dozen times and I still can’t get it right. Oh Martha, why do you have to be so good at everything?!
Danielle
I remember your tweet last week about watching the miners, folding laundry and feeling very happy with your lot. I thought at the time that was Zen Housework in action. Very inspiring.
speedscot
I think I should invest in this book, right now! We spent all weekend gutting the house here (that procrastinated paperwork FINALLY got filed) and this morning everyone thought they had woken up in someone else’s home. It’s still kind of tidy, if you don’t count the kids bedrooms and the supper dishes still waiting to be washed. Slippery slope here I come again… wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Jennifer
That’s great that it’s an encouragement to you. I completely get having four kids and the house never being tidy. Quite frankly it feels like what’s the point as literally 2 minutes after something is cleaned, it’s back to being messy.
Whimsical Wife
Really?! Does it put housework in a positive light? Do I need to buy it?!
linda
I had a bit of an epiphany a short while ago (and just shared this with our friend, deerbaby): keeping a house tidy and organized is the greatest failure of my life. I’m a spectacular failure at it. Unlike you, our house cannot be opened to the outside world, no one can even come in the front door.
I’ve spent +40 years being reasonably competent and even successful at most things I’ve chosen to do, or had to do. This is such a fundamental thing, such an all-encompassing thing, but I am an utter failure at it.
You may dislike it, but at least you do it, at least you can have people into your home! It’s so bad around here, I just can’t face it, can’t face up to my failure… and so I don’t.
liveotherwise
Can’t believe it would have that effect on me. But then again, I worked as a cleaner years ago funding myself through uni, and I think I used up all my domesticity
I loathe housework with a passion. If I brush the kitchen floor (bare wood atm due to a disaster with a water softener) I don’t feel better, I just see the bits between the floor boards. If I do washing I just know that the kids didn’t put all their clothes in so there will still be wails tomorrow that someone or other doesn’t have pants.
Still, glad that you are finding zen calm in it.