Hanging the laundry on the line is pure joy
© Jenn Shallvey
At some point in life we need to do laundry and hang it up to dry. It may be washing a shirt while travelling or putting an entire load in a machine each week. No matter your privilege, ability to outsource or your circumstances there is a time when this task may be not just essential but the only option.
So why joy?
Well this summer where I live we have had a rough time of it with the bushfire crisis. It took it’s toll on so many communities, destroyed hectares (acres) of land and decimated wildlife. Tragedy on all levels. My heart goes out to all in this time. We are by no way out of it as many communities try to resume life and business, heal, rebuild and recover.
On a personal front I noticed the impact at a day to day level. There was smoke in the air to a hazardous level in so many places and where I live. Life involved checking an air quality app before going somewhere. Many days you did not need to check you just saw the sun hidden in the haze and smelled smoke.
What I experienced was nothing compared to people in communities directly impacted or by first responders on the front line. So this post is truly not intended to be trivial in light of these situations.
Yet I am amazed and struck by the way simple tasks of life suddenly become joyful. When you have them taken away you really appreciate. I also imagine that many in the communities affected feel this even more. The loss of structures will require rebuilding, the loss of life gives way to grieving and healing for whole communities, the loss of flora and fauna depends on nature, rehabilitation and experts able and willing to help.
For me though, the moment of pure joy occurred one day when I went to hang the laundry on the line. Firstly I was thrilled that I could do this because it was a proper sunny day (no smoke smell, ash etc). Then I noticed it. Shadows. For the first time in weeks I noticed shadows on the grass. How amazing that such a simple moment of a natural occurrence can be so wonderful. For me it signified clear skies. So as I hung out the laundry I also imagined what it must be like for others to just enjoy these simple moments too. Hence the post.
In times of crisis when there is a break, a change, isn’t it just wonderful to immerse yourself in a seemingly mundane task. Maybe there is a lesson in this for us all going forward – to not take for granted the lives we have, the places within which we live and the basic ways of day to day living.
In your world what is it for you that brings joy to you from the mundane? What in your life is no longer a chore but really something you cherish and enjoy doing?
Going forward as we face so many other changes I feel we almost need to reframe mundane tasks into new era personal rituals. Then it is up to us to find the joy.