November 25, 2023
Photo Credit: THPStock/Shutterstock
When my eldest child was just a little one, our whole family fell victim to a relentless bout of stomach flu. As if two grown-ups and a baby throwing up non-stop for a week wasn’t chaotic enough, we were trapped on a family vacation when it hit. Imagine a seven-hour car ride home with our infant unleashing chaos in his car seat while my partner and I struggled with our own digestive disasters. Once we finally made it back, we discovered our floors were being refinished, which meant moving furniture amidst the vomit clean-up and our desperate trips to the bathroom. To put it lightly, it was a week from hell.
On the first day post-hell week, when we were finally on the mend, I bumped into a friend during a stroll with my little one. “How’s life treating you?” he asked. “Fantastic! I’m so ridiculously happy to do laundry today!” I replied, and I genuinely meant it. After that nightmarish week of cleaning up messes and feeling like I was lugging around a heavy weight, the prospect of a dull, mundane day felt like such a blessing.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how heavenly an ordinary day can feel after a stretch of chaos. We often grumble about the repetitiveness of parenting—the endless cycle of laundry, snacks, more laundry, toy clean-up, meal prep, and yes, even more laundry. (Seriously, does it ever stop?) But after enduring a storm, whether literal or metaphorical, the mundane suddenly transforms into something beautiful. An uneventful day can feel downright extraordinary.
I’ve been yearning for a day filled with the delightful monotony of parenting. Life has felt pretty chaotic lately, reminiscent of that week from hell, with plenty of messes to handle and a weight hanging over us. Many of us experience the common pressure of trying to balance family, career, and everything else on our plates. Life is undeniably hectic for everyone.
Beyond the usual overwhelm, there’s been a growing tension in the air, like an over-stretched rubber band ready to snap. Everything from social media interactions to work deadlines and various parenting crises seems a bit heavier than usual. Can you relate? I certainly can.
For what feels like ages, I’ve been anticipating a day of ordinary bliss when the busyness would taper off, the overwhelm would lessen (at least to manageable levels), and that weight we’ve been dragging around would finally lift. I dream of a day filled with laundry, dentist appointments, household chores, silly emails, and, of course, endless cat videos. Is it too much to ask for a newsfeed filled solely with adorable feline antics? No more alarming political news, please.
There’s a certain beauty in a boring day—one that often goes unnoticed until we’ve been through our own personal hell, carrying heavy burdens and dealing with messes for what feels like forever. We sometimes forget how wonderful it is to manage laundry, wash sippy cups, and navigate toddler tantrums until we’re knee-deep in chaos. We overlook the joy of plodding through tedious work, walking the dog, or cleaning out that crisper drawer (seriously, what is that rotting veggie back there?) until we’re feeling overwhelmed yet again.
I’m still waiting for that uneventful day. The stress is still palpable, as is the mess we all have to confront. But perhaps that’s just how life is right now? It might be enough to acknowledge the charm of a boring day and to find joy in the monotony of laundry, dishes, and yet another grocery run—even when life isn’t as neat or easy as we’d like.
I’m still eager for a day when my newsfeed is filled with #soblessed posts and humblebrags, rather than political mudslinging and distressing headlines. I long for a day when sorting laundry and reminding my child to do homework will be the biggest dilemmas I face. I’m ready for parenting and life to be a bit less dramatic. And I am counting down to a gloriously mundane day.
That day will arrive soon enough. Until then, let’s savor the snippets of ordinary goodness that life offers. There are always little moments of joy—and, of course, laundry. Whether it’s a boring day or not, the laundry never stops.
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Summary:
This reflective piece highlights the unexpected joy found in mundane days, especially after experiencing chaos. The author shares a personal story of a challenging family experience and emphasizes the beauty of ordinary life, even amidst overwhelming circumstances. The article encourages readers to appreciate the small moments and joys of parenting while navigating the ups and downs of life.