Showing posts with label elegant homemaking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label elegant homemaking. Show all posts

7.26.2021

The Repetitive Nature of Homemaking

6:02 AM 3 Comments

To continue my series on the art of homemaking, we are exploring the repetitive nature of our daily work.




Today's video is dedicated to my friend, Cliff Simon, who we tragically lost in March of this year. Cliff was one-of-a-kind: a talented actor, author, adventurer, and dear friend. He will be greatly missed. 

In loving memory of 
Cliff Simon
1962- 2021


The Repetitive Nature of Homemaking 
By Jennifer L. Scott 

The repetitive nature of homemaking… something we all have to deal with. What mindset do we need? How should we approach it? What joy can we derive from it? That’s what we are exploring in today’s video.

What prompted me to explore the repetitive nature of homemaking? Filming this video. I’m often doing the same things in my videos… washing dishes, laying tablecloths, straightening the sofas, wiping surfaces. 


Homemaking, particularly cleaning, is a repetitive business, isn’t it? In our modern world, our brains are wired for excitement. Our attention spans are short. We all long for very nice things… certainly interiors. So how does the mundane, repetitive and necessary care of our home… the thing that rarely changes… fit into this modern world? That could be why homemaking is often dreaded, or shall we say, misunderstood? 

 I’ve written about this in my Madame Chic books, but homemaking tasks can certainly be compared to Sisyphus. Sisyphus is a figure from Greek mythology. Zeus gave him the punishment of forever rolling the boulder up the hill in Hades. Well, I’m not going to lie and say that homemaking sometimes doesn’t feel like that. Because it does. We clean something once and sometimes within an hour, it needs attention again! Certainly every day, various tasks need to be done. Over and over again. So, for our brains, which are tuned for excitement. How do we avoid becoming bitter, like I’m sure old Sisyphus was? The key is in deriving comfort and joy from these repetitive tasks. If they are tasks you must do, then you must learn to enjoy them. 





Not all tasks are created equal, and some are more glamorous than others. Scrubbing the walls is not a favorite of mine. I usually get other people to do this, but this particular wall, with its crayon marks and dirt, was really bothering me. These high-traffic areas need cleaning on a regular basis if our homes are to look tidy. So if you’re doing a task that is by nature, rather unenjoyable, focus on the result, which will be a clean, sparkling place. That is enough to bring me joy. But truly, no matter what you’re doing, aim to look on the bright side and find the one aspect of the task, which can spark positive feelings in you. If I’m alone and no one is around, I like to focus on the sounds of cleaning. Those quiet, everyday sounds that we take for granted, but can bring us comfort, can also bring us companionship. If you are surrounded with a loud family, and oftentimes we are, aim to find the joy in that. And hey, give them a broom and they can help! 



 Let’s talk about self-presentation. Because that, for me, brings about joy as well. It’s important that I get dressed and look my best every day. Many homemakers fall into the trap of thinking that because they are doing these mundane, repetitive tasks, they don’t need to dress up for it. So many will sentence themselves to a life of “cleaning clothes”… you know, misshapen, old clothes that you don’t care about if they get ruined. Or perpetual workout clothes. The trouble with this, is that our repetitive homemaking tasks are never going away. They are repetitive. They are Sisyphean. And so each and every day we will find ourselves doing them. So, you ask yourself. Each and every day do I want to wear clothes for drudgery? Or do I want to get dressed and present my true style to the world? Even if it’s just me? Life is short, my friends. Dress to express yourself. Dress for dignity. Put an apron on if you have to. But you don’t want to go through your whole life realizing you were saving your best clothes for that special occasion that never came. When I dress for the day, I feel better. I feel joyous. I feel dignified, even if my task is the same old task I do every day of my life. 




And finally, my fellow connoisseurs, don’t forget to take time for yourself. Indulge in the restorative rituals every day that bring you pleasure. Because yes, we have repetitive cleaning tasks, but we can also have repetitive breaks that revive our spirit and recharge us for what’s to come next. Sisyphus never took a tea break… but we can. I hope you enjoyed today’s homemaking video. 


News

📍Please note: the blog will be under construction and moving to Wordpress very soon. I'll make the announcement with more details as soon as I can. Those of you who get this blog delivered into your email might see a temporary pause in email notifications. Thank you for your patience. 

📍Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic is now available in pocket-size in Japan from Daiwa Shobo. 

📍Connoisseur Kids is now available in Poland and Vietnam.

📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for July.

📍*NEW* The Ten-Item Wardrobe eCourse is newly updated and back online with all new video, text, and new lessons. If you have previously purchased the ten-item wardrobe eCourse, you can access all of the new changes for free.

📍If you are looking for more content, consider becoming a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I publish one vodcast every Friday and do one livestream or zoom call once a month. It only costs $1.99 a month. There are also upper tiers available for people who are interested in supporting the channel on a higher level and receiving monthly mentions in the videos. 




Comment of the Week
Stacie writes, "I love your tip about sitting down to eat your meals. I have a story I'd like to share. I worked in the OR for more than 30 years, and to say the nurse's lounge during lunch time is chaotic is an understatement. However, there was one nurse that ALWAYS set out her real plate, silverware and glass to have her meal. Sometimes it was a salad she prepared from home or sandwich or chicken strips from hospital kitchen. It was like a little calm in the midst of the storm. I never forgot that and now that I'm retired, I always set a real plate, silverware and glass to have my meals--even if I'm by myself.... Stacie"

Dear Stacie, I loved your story. It expressed how elegant people stand out so perfectly. In the chaos of the lunchroom, she stood out and left a great impression on you. I loved that. Thank you for sharing it. 

I hope you enjoyed today's homemaking video and that it gave you much to ponder. See you soon!

Love,

Jennifer 

NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.


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FTC: This post is not sponsored.  I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. Thank you for your support.  
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7.27.2020

Meditations on Homemaking: The Comforts of Home

7:10 AM 9 Comments


Welcome back to another homemaking week in the life. Actually, this video spans a few weeks as I took a break from filming. I do love this series, but an unfortunate side effect of it, is that I can never do anything at home without wondering if I should film it. I found that mentality to be a bit unhealthy so I took a little break. But here I am again with meditations on homemaking... and I have many.



First, let's start with the refuge of home, which can be a place of solace and comfort from the harsh world outside. How have you been affected by the lockdown restrictions? I hope that you are not adversely affected and that you are able to find comfort at home.



This mask is by Christy Dawn. What has your experience been like with masks? It is very hot here so it is a challenge to wear them for long periods of time...

Next, let's talk about homemaking mistakes. You will remember the potatoes I have been carefully nurturing for the past three months... well........ 😆

In today's video you find out what happened to those dear fingerlings. I had planned on sautéing them in oil and cooking them up with a steak. Maybe next time?




And finally, when our home life becomes too much. Find another place to seek refuge. For many people that will be a little hidden corner in the house, or maybe your front porch, or back garden. Maybe it's your balcony. Return to that space regularly to escape the pressures of everyday life.

My Secret Garden
When it all becomes too much,
I go outside to change the scene.
This technique works for my toddler,
Hint: it also works for me.

My worries tend to melt away,
Under the brim of my large sun hat.
The vines, vegetables, fruits, and I,
Enjoy a quiet chat.

How inviting it is to linger here,
I’m tempted to just pitch a tent.
Let them fend for themselves inside…
They’d all wonder where I went.

But instead I’ll capture this time,
To gather my herbs and flowers.
My secret garden escape,
The fruit of those springtide showers.

- Jennifer L. Scott

Thank you for watching today's video. I hope you enjoy my homemaking series and that it provides you with motivation and inspiration in your daily life.

Featured in the video:

⚜️Cleaning Resources
Pink floral gloves
e-cloth (mop & microfiber cloths) JENNIFER15 for 15% off
Grove Collaborative (natural cleaning products)
Laundry Detergent Hiketron (Mambo Man is my favorite) JENNY25 for 25% off (first-time customers)
Love Home & Planet rose laundry detergent
Amazon microfiber cloths
Amazon microfiber mop

⚜️Style
SKYE Risette Dress code Jennifer20 for 20% off
chambray apron
Mott & Bow dark denim jean JLS10 for 10% off
similar stripe tee JLS10 for 10% off
Lulu’s black floral jumpsuit

⚜️Kitchen
Le Creuset cast iron pot with lid in red
Emile Henri red casserole dish
Boos block
Kitchen Aid
Slow cooker

News
📍I released a fun manicure video on Friday that compares and swatches all of the Londontown red shades. You can check it out here.
You can find Londontown here JenniferS for 25% off


📍Join us for The Chic Assignment for July

📍Take my new eCourse, Carry Yourself with Poise. There are so many amazing ladies on this course, bonding and building friendships as we rally around elegant living. Tamara writes, "I absolutely adored this course! One of the best investments I have ever made in my life. Jennifer, I would like to thank you for taking the time to create a course that is enriching. I look forward future courses."

📍Become a member of The Daily Connoisseur through the MEMBERSHIPS feature. I do one livestream as well 3 episodes of my new Vodcast (a video podcast) per month. (Link must be accessed on a computer.)

📍Thank you for your wonderful support of my new book, CONNOISSEUR KIDS.

On Instagram
Madame Chic in Poland...


Comment of the Week

Blythe Brownlow writes, "I have loved everything about this month chic assignment and this is no exception. Thank you for being so raw and honest, I found myself tearing up as you were. I love Langston Hughes poetry, my youngest daughter was actually to be named Langston if she were a boy. I have watched your videos for several years and I think this might be my favorite :) Thank you for all you do."

Thank you, Blythe! I'm so happy the Chic Assignments are a joyful part of your month!


I would love to hear your thoughts on today's video. Is your home a refuge for you? Where do you go when you need to take refuge from your own home? Let us know and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week.



*NEW* Join The Chic Society on YouTube and become a member of The Daily Connoisseur.

Visit my newly designed Author Website

Shop my Amazon page for a comprehensive list of my favorite things and mentions on the blog.

Facebook facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor

Twitter @JL_Scott

Instagram @dailyconnoisseur

Take my affordable eCourses on the POISE *NEW course*, debt-free living, and efficiency at home




FTC: This video is not sponsored. I use affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links which means I get a small commission from any purchases made at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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