Cleaning Up
Initially, I had a completely different article I wanted to share this month. After a few attempts of rephrasing and collecting my thoughts it had come to my attention that what I was writing I wasn’t connecting with at the moment, so I decided to direct my train of thought towards a more candid conversation.
So far this October, I have been focused on cleaning up. Cleaning up my house, cleaning up my diet, reviewing my relationships and finding many different ways to cut myself a break without feeling like I was cheating myself or others out of quality time. This month has brought me the insight to consider what I focus on and how I can give things I don’t enjoy less of my attention, while simultaneously getting the job done effectively. Streamlining tasks for a more efficient routine and lifestyle. Finding ways to do what I need to without forcing it, making miserable errands less miserable by shifting the way I attack my tasks. No anticipation of an outcome, positive or negative- but as something I just did. Releasing perfectionism, therefore releasing resistance to accomplishing a task.
Sometimes we shoot ourselves in the foot by demanding too much of ourselves, leaving a major lack of motivation to do anything productive. I noticed that when I began to assess the necessities of my tasks, cut the excess bullshit out and didn't punish myself for not doing the absolute most; it’s been easier to be both productive, content, and dare I say, even proud of myself for accomplishing what was on my to-do list.
If I had told myself I must finish the last piece I was writing, you wouldn’t be reading anything right now. I would be doing everything else but writing until it was about 3 days before the month was over, leaving me with no choice but to publish some garbage content I could give less than a shit about. Useless and pointless to me, useless and pointless to all of you. Why bother? Nobody has time for that. Especially not me.
Most of the time, I don’t like to write. I like to talk. Solidifying my words into a written cohesive thought has never been an easy or fun assignment for me. When I began the article for this month, it sounded much different than what you’re reading right now. I noticed the scrapped article was reading angry and even a bit outlandish, quite frankly. I had to assess if that was something I really wanted people to be reading, and obviously it wasn’t. I let some time pass before deciding to cut myself a break, and focusing on sharing how I am genuinely feeling right now. I turned writing this piece into something I truly wanted to complete by removing the demand to finish something I wasn’t in the mood for, in constant review of what was coming out on the paper. I needed to be honest with myself, and honesty led to me starting over and letting go of what I had previously committed myself to finishing. It didn’t matter if I had already written 3 pages, I wasn’t saying anything productive and needed to accept the fact that my thoughts needed to be funneled into another place; that place being right here, right now in the present moment.
TLDR; Perfectionism is lame and a poor excuse for non-action. Show up. Try again. Let it go. ♽
So for the sake of cleaning my life up while making shit up along the way, I present to you a recipe for foaming hand soap that I mixed up a few years back when you couldn’t buy any. While it might not be the perfect recipe, it's simple, effective, and thrifty. Give it a shot.
Through the time spent in lockdown I’ve gone through many emotional highs and lows, learned new skills and sharpened dormant ones, but mostly, I washed my hands.
My more compulsive tendencies really began to thrive by the third month indoors, leading to a regular habit of excessive handwashing. Soon enough, I was out of soap, leaving a gaping void in my germaphobic heart. I needed a plan and I needed it fast. My favorite kind of soap is a foaming one, with the reminiscent fluff of Mr. Bubble. As I began my research for a recipe to make my own foaming soap, my dry, white knuckles stared back at me in disapproval. A moisturizing formula was in order. After many rounds of trial and error, I’m pleased to share a fairly well-balanced cleansing concoction. Let’s get it.
DIY Foaming Hand Soap
Makes ~4 cups of soap
Large bowl, container or measuring cup
3 cups distilled water
¾ cup castile soap
~30 drops essential oils (optional)
½ tbsp isopropyl alcohol (optional)
3-4 tbsp fractionated (liquid) coconut oil (optional)
Foaming hand soap dispenser
Container(s) for excess soap storage
Find a large vessel suitable for mixing and pouring. Add the coconut oil, essential oils, alcohol, and castile soap, giving it a swirl with a mixing spoon to make sure the coconut oil is well-combined. Lastly, stir in the water slowly to avoid too much bubbling. Fill up all of your soap dispensers and wash your hands, for good measure.
If you have a coconut allergy or don’t have any liquid coconut oil, the soap is effective without it. If you are using coconut oil, the liquids can separate. A quick shake before use will fix this. Get creative, experiment with scents! Each time I make a new batch of soap it’s a different vibe with unique combinations of essential oils.
Keep it clean you filthy animals. Peace.
Marina