So my two weeks with “The Two A’s” are up.
Let’s see how I did…
#1. Attitude: Surprising as it seems, my attitude has gone through a major overhaul these past two weeks. I’ve always wanted a clean, organized home with family meals and sparkling children but actually doing it has been a pain. (Honestly—who likes to scrub toilets or dust? Not me.)
BUT…as I’ve kept in mind the overall purpose of why I am doing these jobs (a healthy family, a peaceful, restful home, etc.) the work has gone faster and been done better. I used to say that one day I’d like to buy and old church and renovate it into a home. That way my home would actually be a sanctuary. However, as these two weeks have progressed I realized my small, cheap, tract housing home can be a sanctuary now. I just have to make it so.
And right now, as my two kids are snuggled into a clean couch in a clean living room watching a movie as it rains outside I feel at peace and happy in what feels like the worlds safest sanctuary.
#2. Appearance: This was the hard one folks. I am notorious for going our in public with no make up and unkempt hair paired with ripped, stained, and ill fitting clothes or worse—pajamas and slippers. Seriously–that is my everyday attire..everyday, no matter what.
BUT…these two weeks I’ve made sure that the first thing I do everyday is get up, get dressed, and then do my hair and make-up. I followed the rules exactly. Now, I didn’t wear full on outfits with accessories, belts, earrings, etc. But, I did make sure my clothes (even if they were like a track suit thing) were not stained or ripped and that they fit correctly. That meant saying goodbye to most of my daily wear but I did it…
AND…I really did feel better about myself. That crazy Ms. Hoole was right. Getting dressed and ready for the day before doing anything else did indeed make my day go better. I also had a better attitude—normally when I go out like a slob I’m lurching around everywhere just daring someone to tell me I look like junk. But not these past two weeks…I went around like a normal person which was indeed refreshing and made me a nicer person. Who knew a little hairspray could make such a difference?
*Conclusion*
The “Two A’s”, for as corny and archaic as the ideas came across, were awesome. I changed, rearranged and reorganized things in our home to make life better. I’m working on relaxing and getting things accomplished in a way that gives us more time to enjoy each other and I’m looking like a real person everyday. Over all I’d give this first attempt an “A”. We’ll see what the next two weeks bring..
*Confession*
There was one day when I did not get dressed or do my hair or put on make up. It was Saturday after the marathon. I came home from the race, showered, and put on pajama clothes. Then I proceeded to go out to lunch and shopping. I looked like junk and felt justified in looking like junk but soon realized that looking nice really does help me feel nice. I even wished that I would have taken the extra 10 minutes to at least dry my hair and find some mascara. (Nerdy but true.)
So, I shouldn’t say that I followed the rules “exactly” but I’m going to call Saturday and exception as well as a lesson learned. And just for the record…the first thing I did when I got up this morning was get dressed and did my hair and make-up.
Oh, Ms. Hoole you sly devil…you may just make a woman out of me.
-z
Hi!
Six years later, are you still doing this? Is it something achievable?
I haven’t read oll of your posts yet, but i think you are interesting! 🙂
I would like to live a life with my kids BEFORE living a life to pick up things, and clean, and finally having no energy for my kids. I’ll continue reading your posts, trying to get better at making my home a sanctuary, and reading The ultimate career, the art of homemaking, by Daryl Hoole. Thanks for your inspiration! You make the goal look like it’s something i could do!