The Climbing School of Homemaking

A long-time reader of this blog recently quipped that she missed reading about me; how I am really doing. This made me surprised, until I scrolled through my recent entries, and realised she was right. There has been a lot of activity, and sharing of activities, but it has been some time since I have shared about how life has been for me, that kind of sharing that perhaps used to draw people to this blog. 

I mulled over this, and came to the realization that this activity-based life is exactly how I have been functioning, particularly in the last few weeks. From the moment my eyes open in the morning, till they close for a night's rest, I'm either actively doing chores or engaged in forward planning for the household. I'm a hive of activity personified.

I am not saying that this is the best way to do things. In fact, it is probably not, but I am cutting myself some slack as I am still learning to manage the home sans live-in helper. I realise this does make me sound like a pampered person, but jumping suddenly from having a live-in helper on a 6-month stint to zero hired help, right after a week-long holiday abroad, has honestly been hard. In my more self-critical moments, I wonder what on earth I was thinking, assuming that I can do this!

Then recently, I saw Bun, (who only started walking when we were in Bali three weeks ago), head straight to the tallest slide in the playground and slowly climb all the way up without so much as a glance at me. I was absolutely moved by her tenacity. She then did it over and over again, pushing herself and her little legs through the rigour of getting up that steep flight of stairs, and getting better with each try.

I am reminded then that I too am in Climbing School, except that it is not stair-climbing that I am training for, but that of independent homemaking. But as I climb each day I am building stamina, a healthier body and stronger muscles too. I climb in order to learn how to climb higher, and faster, with less resources. Each day, I am learning new methods to do it better, and ways that I should avoid. I climb, to enjoy the view, and look forward to more rewarding views ahead.

Just like any mountain climber, I do have my falls. I occasionally fall physically, or also emotionally; giving room for negativity and complaints. But I am thankful to have many helping hands to pull me up, to keep up with the climbing practice and many kneeling knees praying for me.

Bun and I, and perhaps all of us, are in Climbing School together.

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Psst, I'm now on Instagram where I first posted the above photo. You can follow me here.