Mindful Monday | Listening

Several weeks ago I shared my latest YouTube obsession: Honeyjubu. She’s a woman from South Korea who vlogs about her daily routines and I’m always captivated by what she shares. I love the tenderness and care she takes with her home and her ability to cook so much for her family. But at the end of the day, these are videos of a woman cooking and cleaning. Why do I find them so enjoyable and relaxing?

It dawned on me: she focuses on the sounds of domesticity. The sound of food sizzling, the soft thud of lids being closed on pots, slippers shuffling across the floor, scrubbing dishes in the sink, the clink of clean dishes carefully placed in the draining tray.

I have access to all of those sounds but have never focused on them in my own life. Even better is the fact that I can also capture the other four senses: sight, touch, taste, and smell. Could I possibly find as much joy in my own daily routines as I do in Honeyjubu’s?

Since that realization, I’ve tried to be mindful about the sounds in my own life. Instead of rushing through cooking and hurriedly chopping veggies and throwing them into the too-hot pan, I’ve started pre-cutting them before I even turn the stove on, listening to the sounds of the knife cutting through the vegetables and the quiet thud of hitting the cutting board, carefully placing them in dishes waiting nearby. It means more washing up, but even that part of my evening has become more enjoyable as I listen to the sound of the faucet turning on, feel the heat of the hot water on my hands, watch the suds work their magic on our plates and bowls, and the sounds of carefully setting them aside to dry.

I’ve begun to enjoy clearing sections of my counter to make sure I spray down every nook and cranny and wipe away all of the crumbs. The sounds of my own slippers (well, crocs.. but I call them “my house crocs”) on the floor as I sweep, vacuum, and mop away the detritus of the day. All while thinking about the foundation that I’m creating for my family.

All of my work is almost always interrupted by someone and that’s okay. Because I can always find my bearings and return to those little sounds, even if it’s just for a few seconds before the next distraction. And besides – those interruptions and distractions are my purpose right now and they’re not interruptions and distractions at all. They are my life.

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I hope your weekend was restful and that Monday treats you well. I plan to be back on Wednesday with a few finished books. Until then – take good care!