Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

I just finished the 2016 Flats and Hand washing Challenge by Dirty Diaper Laundry this week. It's a really cool topic to delve into but the basic idea is that you use only flat nappies and covers, and have to hand wash and air dry for 1 week.

I think I might be a little bit weird, but I actually really enjoyed it. I already knew that my favourite chore is hanging washing on the line and taking it in, but I didn't expect to find handwashing nappies to be so... satisfying. It was strangely relaxing and I really enjoyed it.

Then today I noticed that this is kind of a thing for me. I'd rather sweep than vaccume, I enjoy scrubbing my floors with a bucket and cloth and hate using my steam mop. I think part of it is actually being able to see the dirt come away more easily, and part of it is that getting hands on seems to make the work more meaningful, even if it does take a little longer. And I find my depression and anxiety more manageable when I feel useful and accomplished.

Doing things by hand feeds my soul some how.

And now I'm aware of this I can utilise it more often to the benefit of my household. But it's taken me most of the day to come to terms with it being OK if I don't want to use the modern conveniences all the time. Part of me felt silly for wanting to do things 'the hard way'.

I mean I'm not going to swear to never use an appliance again, but I'm giving myself permission to scrub my floors if I want to, or hand wash a load when I feel like it.

Anybody else enjoy doing things by hand or am I actually just weird? :giggle

Re: Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

I don't always think about doing things the harder or old-fashioned way, but I do like when motors don't need to be involved. A steam mop, washing machine and dryer all come with noises that can become irritating over time.

Re: Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

Well, I wouldn't choose to do those particular things by hand. :no BUT, I've been following the Instant Pot thread with some amusement, because I keep thinking I'd just rather simmer a pot of broth on my stove all day (though I still have trouble choosing a day & getting it going). Or take 45 minutes to cook rice. Or 15 minutes to boil eggs. I make yogurt in an insulated cooler with hot water bottles and a thermometer. I make cold press coffee in a regular pitcher. I *do* use a crockpot...primarily for beans. And I love my blender, mixer, and food processor. Soooo...I'm not opposed to appliances in any way. But, I think there are some things that we each like the "feel" of doing by hand. I watched someone sewing by hand the other day, and it looked sooooo relaxing.

Laundry seems incredibly time-consuming to me; I could never imagine doing it by hand. But, then again, we washed a few things by hand while on a 12 day camping trip last summer, and I was surprised that it wasn't really that big of a deal. :shrug3

Re: Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

Everyone has something that makes them feel grounded. That would NOT make me feel grounded but there is nothing to feel embarrassed about at all that this is your thing.

Re: Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

I like mopping on my hands and knees.... Well.... I sit crisscross applesauce. I think the floor gets cleaner. It just feels so good! I love it. I can't really do it though.

I hand wash our carpeted stairs with a damp cloth.... Rolling up the animal hair and dirt as I go. It's easier for me than vacuuming them.

Sometimes, sliding my hands into a warm sudsy sink full of dishes feels amazing and I feel so accomplished when I am done. I love the pile of clean, drying dishes.

I love hanging clothes on the line. We don't have a clothes line.... So I haven't since I lived at home, but I miss it. I love the physical act, the visual fluttering and blowing, the sunshine fresh scent..... Mm mm mm.

Re: Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

I hand washed clothes for a few months to save money from the laundry mat to save for a washer/dryer. I also don't mind sweeping and doing things "the hard way". To me it is almost meditative to do the work and I love that I am blessing my family with a clean house at the same time.

Re: Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

I LOVE doing that stuff. I hate a lot of housework, but most of what I hate is the picking up junk and organizing part. I love scrubbing, washing, hanging laundry, doing all of that by hand.

Re: Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

I only do towels and bedding on the line, but it makes me feel so good to do it and see it out there too.

I like kneading and shaping dough a lot.

I think feeling closer to our work physically can be really beneficial. That said, I got a new canister vac and I want to marry it and have little vac babies with it :giggle

Re: Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

Can we be neighbors and swap? I could pick up and clean all day actually geting to the vacuuming not do much.

Re: Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

I'm right there with you. I can clean all night if I'm majorly stressed!

Re: Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

I'm not a fan of handwashing, but I think I could enjoy it if someone else somehow made it convenient and easy for me. :giggle

I do choose to not have a dishwasher or a dryer. I use flat diapers, and always fold them origami style. I like to vaccuum exclusively with the little end so I can get each piece of dirt. :giggle

Oh, I am quite happy with rinsing poopy diapers. It's enjoyable seeing the water turn clear.

Re: Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

I was thinking the same thing.

I like hand mashing potatoes rather than using a mixer. I also sometimes like mixing a batter without my mixer.

I have a bread maker & in the summer, am more likely to use that but once it starts getting warm I want to make it the old fashioned way.

Re: Am I weird? Doing things the old fashioned way?
 

I love hanging laundry on the line.

I love washing dishes by hand as long as it's not lots and lots. I use my dishwasher but I enjoy hand washing large pots and things that shouldn't go in the dishwasher. Once in awhile I hand wash all the glasses just because.

I prefer hand scrubbing.

I find weeding therapeutic.

I love shoveling snow.


You're not weird!