Sometimes as a stay at home mom, I have a hard time finding moments for myself.  Between taking care of a little, taking care of hubby, and keeping a clean house, I find little time to let my mind just… relax.  I have discovered, however, meditative moments in mundane chores.  By turning off background chaos like the TV and radio, and opening windows to let the sunshine and breeze in, I set the scene for great inner moments.  Most chores can be mind numbing, but these are the very ones that work great for finding zen.  Anything from washing dishes to ironing clothes can be turned into a “moment” for you.  Simply focus on deep breaths as you do the job…forget how repetitive it is, and use that to your advantage to let your mind go into a state of relaxation as you work.

Now, some people cannot quiet their mind enough to get to the zen state I’m talking of.  For those of you who have trouble, I recommend finding a guided meditation podcast or a you-tube meditation you can play while you work.  They actually have meditations for washing  dishes! Just google “dish washing meditation” and several pop up.  I listen to it on my phone with a wireless headset.  I highly recommend investing in a wireless headset, by the way, it makes moving around so much easier while listening.

Another great way to find zen in your day is to hang your laundry outside.  Even if all you can do is hang laundry on a balcony…get yourself a small laundry line that is retractable, or a wooden fold-able clothes dryer and try it!  There is something very therapeutic when you get outside and hang the laundry.  Make sure to feel the sun on your skin, and notice the breeze through your hair.  Sometimes I like watching the motion of the clothes swaying on the line.  Trust me, it can be very enjoyable!  Take time to notice the noises…even city noises can be relaxing if you let your mind focus on them. The combination of the clean laundry smells, outside sounds and breezy sunshine days will immediately brighten your mood!

Give it a try, and let me know how it goes!  What mundane chore can you turn into a zen moment?