There is a new story out in the Oregonian called Radical Homemaking. Here's the link http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/index.ssf/2010/04/radical_homemaking.html . If you can, check it out. I read this and I felt such an odd mix of emotions. Pride for what we're doing here at home, justification for doing what I feel is right regardless of the arguments put forth by others, camaraderie for those mentioned in the story. It's been said that for something to have progressed to the point of mention in print, it's a popular fad. Maybe I'm just out of touch but I have to say that I felt a huge relief reading this article. Finally, someone has mentioned what I do. Finally, I've read somewhere that it's okay and even right to lead the life that I lead. For so long, I've felt so lost within two worlds, a world of professional achievement and another of suburban homemaking; in neither do I succeed. I thought I might be crazy, leading this life. But heck, if it's in print somewhere, I guess I'm not crazy and maybe I'm just not in touch with others like me. Thank you, Leslie Cole, for running the story on radical domesticity. Thank you, Shannon Hayes, for writing a book about people like me. And thank you countless other women and families that live like I do. I don't feel so crazy today.
That was a great article! Thanks for sharing it, or I would have totally missed it!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, you *do* succeed at it! Your family is healthy, happy and loved. That's success!
Rebekah--I found Radical Homemakers SO validating, even though I wasn't really looking for validation. To read about other people who feel that this way of life is about more than them and their family, but community and the Earth as well.
ReplyDeleteI know that it can seem like we're not doing anything well, living this way. My business is so-so, my house is a wreck, I'm behind in my garden...and I'm tired, but we can't measure ourselves again conventional notions of success. Health, happiness, connection, knowing that we are doing our best are my measures.