Washing

Since I’ve been home I’ve found Joy in the process of Washing.

Washing defined as “a method of cleaning, usually with water and often some kind of soap or detergent”, “the act of washing clothes, sheets”.

There’s Joy in being organised and getting washing done each day so that the basket doesn’t overload. There’s Joy in putting the Washing out on the clothes rack, out in the fresh air, and capturing the sunshine.

There’s Joy in Washing the sheets - firstly cleaning, dusting and vacuuming rooms so I can then put the sheets in the Washing machine.  I feel such a sense of achievement when our rooms are clean and the sheets are fresh. I love getting into a freshly made bed with clean sheets.

I like putting the Washing away too. I learnt the Marie Kondo way of folding clothes that are more like rolling clothing and I love that all of our clothing has a place.  Looking at the organised drawers of fresh Washing brings me Joy.

It’s been great working from home so that I can keep up-to-date with the Washing.  I’m due back at work on 6 July 2020, just over a week away, and I will miss being at home for many reasons, including being able to put on a load of Washing.

I love that a load of Washing fits perfectly on the clothes rack.  I don’t necessarily love the clothes racks in the our living room, yet It is handy on a cold day for the Washing to dry overnight. 

After I have been out and about, I feel better about getting all our clothes in the Washing.

I also feel so much better about getting the towels in the Washing and definitely when they are all folded and put organised in the linen press.

I also like having all of the teatowels and dish clothes in the Washing.

I am grateful that we have an appliance for Washing our clothes, sheets and linen.  In the old days the laundry was done by hand by soaking, beating and scrubbing and rinsing clothes and other textiles.  I certainly wouldn’t have time to soak, beat, scrub and then rinse my laundry while making all of my work calls.  I am grateful for my machine. 

The other day Emma was curious about who invented the Washing machine.  I thought it would be interesting to do some research and found that in 1874, William Blackstone of Indiana built a present for his wife for her birthday, a machine that removed and washed away dirt from clothes.  This was the first Washing machine suitable and convenient for use in the home.  Thank you William Blackstone, Inventor of the home Washing machine.

It’s the Joy in the small things, the every day, the ordinary, like the Washing.   

I find that in the process of the Washing, I am totally present, and this gives my mind a break from overthinking - and in the present, being in presence, I find peace.