Does this description seem to be taken from the pages of a historical novel or from one of Grandpa’s stories of “the good old days”? Does it sound too good to be true in today’s merciless societies run by technology and the media? Does it sound escapist, as if giving up on the culture completely is the only way to save our families?
Each of these attitudes contains some truth. If the “good old days” were a time when strong family ties, courtesy and respect for others, and higher moral standards were valued, those things are not irrevocably lost.
We can start practicing them in our homes today, and teach them to our children by word and example. Perhaps we won’t change the culture or the media, but we can be a force for good in our own neighborhoods and communities, spreading love instead of division.
Furthermore, embracing this way of life does not mean giving up on the culture; instead, it proves that there is still some good in the world, and it is the homemaker’s mission to find that good and show it to others.
We are not locking ourselves and our children away from society’s influences completely, but rather raising our families to follow Goodness, Truth, and Beauty, regardless of a particular society’s standards.
The life of an old fashioned homemaker is not some ideal from days gone by. It is a radical choice to live simply and quietly in the face of noise and sophistication.
It is the decision to challenge accepted societal norms by returning to courtesy and higher moral standards, while cultivating contentment and community.
A commitment to slow down
An integral part of homemaking in this sense involves slowing down from the current rapid pace of life in society.
It seems to be expected, in this day and age, that every functioning adult moves from one thing to the next with barely a break: schedules completely filled with work and social engagements. Even vacations are planned well in advance and carefully filled with fun activities.
There is no time to stop and appreciate the little things in life; no time for wonder, or reflection, or prayer.
A homemaker recognizes that this is no way to live, not if you want to be truly happy. She embraces slow living as a more fulfilling way of life.
What is slow living?
In a nutshell, it is being present in the moment. It is only when we are fully present that we can appreciate the world around us. Whatever you do, do it with intention and attention.
Don’t rush through your tasks while thinking all the time about what needs to be done next.
Don’t make multitasking a habit. It may be necessary at times, but habitually working on two things at once destroys your concentration and fractures your peace of mind.
Don’t respond absently to your husband or child while staring at a screen. Put the phone down, turn the television off, walk away from the computer, and pay attention to the people in your life.
Look them in the eye when they speak to you. Practice active listening. That’s a good first step toward slow living.
The next step is learning how to do more things by hand. As you begin to slow down, you will notice many labor-saving devices in your life. They may save you time, but they also disconnect you from reality, in a way.
As you become more grounded and connected to the people around you, you may also wish to become more connected to the earth and natural processes as well.
You might be interested in learning to cook from scratch, or bake bread by hand. You might discover that you enjoy washing dishes in the sink rather than using the dishwasher, or sweeping rather than running the vacuum cleaner.
You may wish to learn how to sew clothing for yourself and your family. You may try your hand at making soap or candles.
Slow living doesn’t mean moving to the country, becoming a homesteader, or giving up electricity and running water. You are welcome to do those things if you wish, but that’s not the point.
Slow living is a way of life that connects you to your family, your community, and the earth you live on. It is listening without feeling the need to answer immediately. It is being receptive to learning something new, even from a child or a stranger.
It is lingering to watch a fading sunset, hear the delight in a child’s laugh, or smell the freshness of new-mown grass. It is awakening your heart to the beauty around you.