Reflections – we see them everywhere, not just when we look into a mirror and admire how gorgeous we are, or when we watch the ripples softly flow along the water, but the ever present reflections and lessons we have on offer from people and routines that are a part of our everyday life. The learning is endless.
I arrived home from a short trip with my mum this morning and put on a load of washing for the working week ahead. I began to hang my clothing on the line with my favourite bright coloured pegs, the sun was shining and I felt an overwhelming feeling to stop and adore my washing line.
As I placed each item on the line, I could feel this deep appreciation and love for every piece. This reflected to me the space that I allow myself, and the quality of care I take in the finer details of every part of my day. Each item was placed with such care and delicateness too – I could feel every movement I made, from picking the clothing up out of the basket, to gently reaching up to peg it to the line in one graceful motion.
What was presented on my line were lovely black basics like dresses and skirts but they were cut closer to my figure than the clothes I used to wear and accentuated my curves beautifully. I also have a huge love for brightly coloured socks with funky patterns, which I always loved the idea of but never really committed to wearing. Now I do, and when I wear them I always feel a warm smile on my face when I catch a glimpse of colour gleaming from beneath my hemline.
Clothing even though it is a material item, can offer an honest insight into how we feel about ourselves as women and who we are to the world at large.
In the past I would often wear items that were baggy, old or just not quite right for me, simply to hide who I was and to make myself small and dare I say it, ‘not so visible,’ but it’s so much fun to now see how much appreciation can come from my choices as a woman, to allow myself to be celebrated in what I choose to wear and essentially, wrap my beautiful body in everyday.
Being more honest and listening to how I feel and what clothing feels right for me is amazing and it’s super fun to boot.
It’s like I am re-learning the art of conversation with my body and it’s a conversation that has been so needed and so nurturing all in one.
One other huge shift for me is in regards to my underwear choices. In the past I always stayed safe and bought fairly plain bras and undies and I never really ventured into lace or little ribbons and such, but now my washing line is covered with beautiful lace undies with lovely soft fabrics and pretty floral prints, and I also have matching bras too, because what woman doesn’t deserve a set of gorgeousness on their bodies? (One question I always had was why do people call underwear ‘unmentionables’? Underwear should definitely be mentioned, and with full appreciation for the beautiful bodies that wear them).
The last major love of hanging my washing is seeing spots. No, not feeling faint from the sun or hot weather, but the pattern. I love spotty patterns but I was always too scared to wear them because I thought I would be called a little girl. I have this amazing navy and white spot linen dress which makes me feel like I have stepped into a 1950’s movie and I love how the fabric breathes and lets a beautiful breeze through on a hot day.
So today’s lesson is that hanging washing can be fun and deeply confirming in how we are living our daily lives, reflecting the joy we feel inside out into the world and beyond.
That’s why I love hanging my washing, the beautiful reflection it shares serves as a lovely lesson in deep appreciation for all that I am as a woman and my ever-deepening relationship with me.
By Kelly Zarb, Retail Manager, Melbourne, Australia
You may also enjoy:
What’s lurking in your closet? Jessica Williams has a clear out in Self-Loathing, My Closet and Me.
Can beautiful lingerie confirm us as women or is it an expensive luxury? Read one woman’s journey: Discovering the Joy of Wearing a Bra and Uncovering More of the Woman I Am.