During my early morning walk along the beach, I decided that I was going to paint the shed. Now I know that it seems completely out of line with my whole ‘Simple Sundays’ plan, but after giving myself a talking to about once again filling up my Sunday, I came to a different conclusion. I realised that I’d actually enjoy painting the shed. It requires very little mental effort, the results would be instantly visible and I’d get to soak up the rays on this glorious day. I even felt disappointed at the thought of putting it off until another day, so I decided to go for it. After all, there’s something soothing in the repetitive nature of painting which I like to think of as the power of the mundane.
The power of the mundane
There’s a hidden power in mundane activities. Somehow whilst the body is engaged in the repetitive nature of the task, our minds are allowed to roam free. In today’s society, we’re so used to being constantly entertained that we reach for our phones, remotes and food to drown out the silence. I find myself doing it too – all the time. I become ‘twitchy’ if I encounter a period of quiet, it’s like I don’t know what to do with myself. As if I don’t know how to ‘be’. So I end up searching for a podcast, audiobook or some music to fill up that space. But today, while painting the shed, I allowed the silence in and it felt incredibly freeing just to let my mind wander.
Painting ponderings
It will come as no surprise that most of my ponderings were to do with this post. About how liberating seemingly mundane activities can be because they keep our body busy and allow our minds to wander. I recalled a book I once read talking about how repetitive activities such as painting, cleaning and walking can open us up to inspiration and imaginings that we would normally be too busy to experience. Yet instead we become so preoccupied with the offerings of ‘modern life’ that we allow our senses to be dulled.
Why? Maybe because it’s easier. Perhaps it’s what we’re used to. Or are we just so scared of missing out that we daren’t switch off? We have so much on offer to us every minute of every day that it can be hard to say no. And yet it’s so important to withdraw once in a while, to switch off from the noise, live more with less and give ourselves the space to expand. Who knows where our minds will take us?
So I’ve decided that the next time I’m cleaning, rather than switching on I’m going to switch off and allow the power of the mundane to work it’s magic. Maybe I’ll have a moment of inspiration or maybe I’ll just be bored. But I think I’ll end up with a greater appreciation of the things I actively allow into my life.
You should give it a try too. Become aware of what you reach for during those mundane tasks and don’t allow yourself to have it. Try it for a week and see how you feel. Who knows where the silence will take you.
Simple Pleasures
It’s been a fairly relaxed Sunday so far and my simple pleasures have been:
- Tea with toast and jam. I try to limit my bread consumption but I throughly enjoyed indulging in toast smothered in butter and strawberry jam this morning.
- Painting the shed in the sunshine. I’m in love with the end result and it feels like the perfect start to my summer break.
- Morning coffee in the garden – appreciating my handywork made it extra special!
I plan to have a long soak in an epsom salt bath later, followed by a pedicure. Who knows, I might really push the boat out and paint my nails while watching a film!
How is your Sunday going? Have you found some time to relax and indulge in some simple pleasures? Leave a comment below and let me know.