“Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.”
– Lao Tzu
We exist in a fast-paced world; minds full of complicated ideas and intersecting throughlines. Finding a moment of calm to rest our overactive nervous systems can be tricky. Furthermore, adding anything to our already full schedules can feel a bit unappealing. So, what if we started with something immediately achievable? Like washing dishes.
Now, before you roll your eyes, we can acknowledge how uninspiring it can feel to transform daily chores into anything more. We’ve been there: it was a long week, there’s a lot on your plate, and there appears to be even more piling up next to the sink.
That being said, we have also come to acknowledge that it tends to be the idea of washing the dishes that is the least enjoyable part; after all, the idea that they’re a waste of your time typically occurs when you’re not doing them. Once you get going, the gentle fragrance of your favourite dish soap, the soothing warmth of the water, the simplicity and straightforwardness of the actual task… it’s starting to sound pretty good.
So, what if we transformed the idea of washing dishes into an exercise in mindfulness and meditation?
Find a soap that smells good
Filling up the sink with warm water as you enjoy the gentle aroma rising up from the bubbles… it’s basically like taking your hands to the spa!
Create a playlist
From low-fi to 90’s throwbacks, having something enjoyable playing in the background can certainly elevate the mood while you’re washing up.
Try something new
Have you tried using a block of soap in place of liquid soap? Savon de Marseille soap cubes and slices are an excellent and eco-friendly alternative to liquid dish soap. Simply slice off a small portion of the olive oil-based soap, lather up your dish brush or cloth, and you’re off to the races.
Set the scene
Create a calm and contemplative atmosphere for yourself to enjoy an evening of dishwashing. Dim the lights, light a candle, take a deep breath and enjoy the homemade serenity. Allow your senses to be fully immersed in the contemplative nature of the task. As a gentle nudge in this peaceful direction, we’ve created a playlist for you to help set the scene. Follow the link to our Spotify, and enjoy!
By employing a bit of mindfulness, scrubbing away a meal from your dinnerware can become much more than a box to tick off on your to-do list. It can be an opportunity for contemplation, innovation, a quiet moment of respite from an otherwise stressful work week…
Holding curiosity for what could otherwise be seen as mundane can transform daily tasks into valued rituals of meditation and mindfulness. Why not try? Either way, those dishes need to get done.
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