Love Reign O'er Me

Cleanliness is next to godliness, or so the saying goes. If you have been a regular reader, you know that I have struggled for years with my role as homemaker. Its not that I don’t like a clean home-I really do-but I struggle with balancing between cleaning house and doing more fun things. A lot of this goes back to when I was a kid, and always being told that I didn’t do it “right” so I had to do it all over again. As a result, I became very resentful and looked at cleaning as punishment. I also recall being yelled at when I played and made a mess, so there’s a lot of emotional charge when things go into disarray. My grandmother was a perfectionist whose self worth was tied up in how clean she could keep her home. Its only recently that I have recognized this fact, and have released all the emotions tied into it.

It has really changed my perspective on housework. Instead of having all that emotional baggage weigh me down when it came time to clean, I have switched to a new thought process. I am looking at it as giving me an opportunity to provide my family something happy and harmonious. I make it into a moving meditation, and it helps set the mood. By elevating it to a ritual, I actually look forward to it.

After I am done with the basics, I finish off with a herbal wash. I am a big fan of aromatherapy, and science is now pointing to it having medical and psychological benefits. I actually start the process when I start my weekly cleaning. Depending on the situation it depends on the herbal wash I plan on using.

 

For health and healing (I use this a lot during the winter to ward off colds and flu)

 

1 tbsp ground sage

1 tbsp thyme

2 tbsp rosemary

1 tbsp salt

1 tbsp dill seed

Handful of shredded coconut

Handful of pine needles

 

Happy Marriage (I use this for special dates in our lives-anniversaries like our 1^st date, wedding, engagement, etc. Also great for birthdays and other significant events in our marriage)

 

1 tbsp marjoram

1 star anise

1 tbsp fennel seed

1 chamomile tea bag

1 tbsp cloves

 

 

To help with stress and promote harmony

 

2 chamomile tea bags

1 tbsp sage

1 tbsp fennel seed

½ tbsp salt

1 tbsp cloves

 

 

To make the wash: put ingredients in a bowl. Pour boiling water over them. Let steep 30 minutes. Strain, and add warm water. For cleaning woodwork, I add lemon oil too. I use it to mop the floor as well, without the oil.