I enjoy re-visiting posts from our Living Savvy archives. When I re-visit, I tend to connect to the information and stories shared in a new way, discovering something different depending on what is going on for me or people in my life.
When I am coaching someone, very often an issue will come up that will have me searching through the archives for a post best suited to help my client work through the process of Living Savvy, supporting them to ask, do, discover, commit & celebrate.
When this post about the glamorous art of toilet cleaning was first published we received great suggestions in the comments for how to make ordinary moments in our day a bit more special — let’s see if we can add to the list!
Yesterday I was cleaning the toilet.
Not a very glamorous job, I think you’d agree. Except that yesterday, while scrubbing that cistern, I did feel just a little glamorous.
Why?
Because I was wearing a pair of fabulous leopard print trimmed rubber gloves. They were a birthday gift from my sister and each time I collect them from under the sink, along with all the usual cleaning paraphernalia, I can’t help but smile at their flamboyant absurdity.
A character immediately leaps to mind – a beautiful starlet, in brilliantly sequinned dress, bedecked with jewels, wearing these gloves, and cheekily waving a toilet brush in my direction. I feel lighter, there’s a new spring in my step, and I’m able to view what may otherwise seem a drudgery with a bit of humour.
The worker-bee mentality
It is easy to slip into a worker-bee mentality and buzz through our day (and never-ending to-do list), overlooking opportunities for a dash glamour, a sprinkle of humour, or just something a little different. When we’re focussed on ‘getting the job done’, having fun seems like a luxury to be enjoyed later. But why wait? Just because a particular task is ‘routine’ or ‘ordinary’ doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to make it a little more enjoyable. For me, small things, like those leopard print trimmed rubber gloves, make a bit difference.
Your turn!
Grab a pen and paper and write down five ordinary things you do each day. Bonus points for writing down something unpleasant that you try to avoid. Now come up with something simple you could do to make each thing just a little better?
- Does the blaring alarm put you in a bad mood for the day? Get one that plays your favourite music instead.
- Spend a lot of time at your desk? Treat yourself to a simple posy of fresh flowers.
- Rush through your late night shower before collapsing into bed? Try it by candlelight with your favourite scented soap.
Image by Melissa Ann Barrett
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Jo, I adore this post. I have actually made mention in my book how I love to clean the house in my heels – warning tiles may be slippery. I love romancing the everyday.
Cat, since you mentioned your phone ring, I have changed mine. It used to be one of the standard rings, but now I bop along to the Black Eyed Peas whenever it rings. Thanks for the reminder!
Monique, listening to music while completing the mundane puts an extra bounce into your step I find. I love the description of your apron. thanks for sharing.
Kay, I agree. We plan our meals for the week before doing the shopping, making a note of nights when we know we will be eating out. To make it fun, I spend some time going through my recipe collection to find something new or different to try.
As for the apron, I have a custom made one, printed with one of my own photos. I ordered it through Kodak gallery, but I’m sure there are others who do this to. It’s a special memory that adds a personal touch, and a bit of fun.
I certainly procrastinate about cleaning – but once I’m on a roll, I tend to do a whole lot in one go. Put on some of your favourite music to make it a bit more enjoyable. While I’m slow to get started with cleaning, I do enjoy the end result
here is another idea ….very 1950s it is…Wear a wonderful apron as you create or if like me throw something together for the evening meal. I have been told that http://www.cupcakecourier.com.au has lovely aprons and homewares. A twenty-something friend of mine feels like a (domestic) goddess when she wears hers.
Julia, can I suggest that when you write your shopping list each week that you also plan your meals for the week at the same time. Place your menu list on the fridge and each night you just pick one meal from the list. No thinking involved. And because you have planned it while writing your shopping list, you also have all of the ingredients you need.
I have lost the sense of enjoyment in cooking….there just doesn’t seem to be enough time anymore. I am flat out racking my brain thinking of a nutritious throw together that will suit the palettes of my children.
The cooking role has now been reliquished to my husband and I have learned to live with the kitchen choas afterwards. At least I don’t have to feel inspirational about food at the end of the day!
Good news is….I don’t mind cleaning the toilet
I stear away from the whole toilet cleaning duty by passing that job on to my husband. Like you Jo, my work from home dress is very casual. Although I am not a fan of winter, I enjoy working from home on winter days because I can wear my bright purple fluffy slippers and they keep my toes nice and toasty warm.
Thank you Cat for sharing how you make the mundane fun. My work from home garb is very casual. I encourage people to phone first before dropping in (so I don’t give them a fright). On those hot Brisbane summer days I have been known to work in my cossie, jumping into the pool to cool off before heading back to my computer.
Oh, how I lust to be able to work from home full time, and swan about in my cossie and kaftan.
I don’t have leopard-print rubber gloves … but I have changed the alarm and ringtone on my phone so both make me smile, rather than grimace, when they go off. I also often light my oil-burner or incense stick while I’m working at my desk and even though I work from home, I always put on nice clothes and accessories and make-up – so I feel good while I’m doing the every-day things.
Love your work Cat! I too also love to light incence and an oil burner when I am working from home. I also make sure I have a big vase of flowers on my desk, because they always make me smile. You are one savvy and beautiful woman.