This is SO hard for me, but I have realized I can’t show up to friendship or any relationship if I am stressed from frantically cleaning up until the last second. Good words, friend ❤️😌
I love how you put this, it's exactly how I feel! I've had to adjust a bit in our new country though, as values around hospitality and cleanliness are definitely not as relaxed in France as they are in Australia. I'm still not entirely sure how I can hold onto that value, of not finding my identity or approval in a tidy house, or trying to keep up appearances, while still working to make other people feel comfortable based on their cultural framework
Thanks for reading, Alice! I struggle with this! I LOVE a clean house, but I'm leaning into the idea that my clean house isn't a representation of who I am. Love, love, LOVE that you're doing your part to be real and vulnerable even in a new space, a new country(!), where it's not the norm.
Thank you! I wonder if part of the change is just in the how of it all - because obviously I'm not going to stop cleaning anything, that would make the house unliveable eventually. Perhaps it looks like just tidying up a bit for a visitor, calmly, without the additional pressure conveyed to everyone else that, if this isn't done to perfection, we've failed as humans
"She knows the truth
(do you?!)" so good.
Love this poem! Thank you for this reminder!
Thanks so much, Kim! So glad it resonated with you <3
This is SO hard for me, but I have realized I can’t show up to friendship or any relationship if I am stressed from frantically cleaning up until the last second. Good words, friend ❤️😌
It's hard for me, too! Thanks, friend.
Also, I relate to this very much. I don't care about the cat hair on the floor. I'll get to it soon :)
Love this! You are a brilliant and unique writer :)
Thank you!
All of this! Becky, this resonated with me so deeply. I really struggled with having friends visit these past few months after having my son.
So glad this resonated with you, Brandie. It can feel like such a struggle, ESPECIALLY if we're in a raw, vulnerable, or exhausted state. <3
Every line of this. 👏🏻
Thanks for reading, friend! Wish we could have tea!
ME TOO.
I love how you put this, it's exactly how I feel! I've had to adjust a bit in our new country though, as values around hospitality and cleanliness are definitely not as relaxed in France as they are in Australia. I'm still not entirely sure how I can hold onto that value, of not finding my identity or approval in a tidy house, or trying to keep up appearances, while still working to make other people feel comfortable based on their cultural framework
Thanks for reading, Alice! I struggle with this! I LOVE a clean house, but I'm leaning into the idea that my clean house isn't a representation of who I am. Love, love, LOVE that you're doing your part to be real and vulnerable even in a new space, a new country(!), where it's not the norm.
Thank you! I wonder if part of the change is just in the how of it all - because obviously I'm not going to stop cleaning anything, that would make the house unliveable eventually. Perhaps it looks like just tidying up a bit for a visitor, calmly, without the additional pressure conveyed to everyone else that, if this isn't done to perfection, we've failed as humans
Ding ding ding AMEN AMEN
Let us learn to slowly put down the vacuum cleaners <3
I love this, Becky!
Thanks so much, Stacy!
🥹❤️ I love this so much. And need these reminders! Thank you.
Thanks for reading, Kellie! Writing to remind myself, too!