Friday Thoughts: Home

People sometimes wonder why a single woman would want to return to a large lonely home. I find it amusing. It is home, that’s why.

It is the place where I have finally had the courage to enshrine my values—most important of which is saying enough. I consume less in every sense of the word. I eat sparsely (after a development activist taught me that our body doesn’t need much to do our daily work). I eat organic. I eat brown rice as much as I can. I do not waste food.  I cook what I will eat and buy what I will cook. I eat fresh—what is cooked in the morning is completed in the evening. I eat at home. I don’t eat fancy food. I don’t want it either. For me simple rice/chapathi and dal and sabji (vegetables) is enough. A simple breakfast is enough. Yes, I love desserts. More and more I prefer homemade ones and that too with jaggery. I produce very little garbage.

I do not consume much electricity. I do not use geyser unless I am very sick. I hardly, if ever, watch TV. When possible, I switch off fan and use sunlight as much as possible. I decrease use of water by figuring out how to use a vessel or a spoon creatively for various projects before I put it to wash. I wear same set of clothes at least two times and sometimes more. I avoid shower as far as possible and take bucket baths. I use flush sparingly.

I avoid buying goods that may harm the environment and buy that which contributes to local economy. My clothes are almost always bought from local artisans or fair trade shops. I do not buy anything fancy and relish hand-me downs. My shoes I use till they are worn off. I use clothes bags as much as possible instead of expensive purses. I avoid buying cosmetics that are harmful to the environment. I buy  flowers—tons of them-- from ladies in my neighbourhood. I buy vegetables from local markets and avoid supermarkets. I avoid using goods whose companies are exploitative of humans and natural environment. I do not throw away something because it has a slight stain or it looks worn or has a tear. I figure out ways to continue using them. I avoid buying paper or asking for paper statements. I use every piece of paper as much as I can before I junk.

I don’t go for expensive haircuts or beauty treatments or expensive jewellery. I have no desire for them. Nor do I eat out (perhaps 5% of my time, mostly because of company or travel). I do not drink outside. I don’t go for expensive events. I avoid fine dining (unless politeness requires me to entertain).

There are more areas I would like to improve. Like my shampoo. Or the fact that I keep my internet on. That I wish I used a Miticool fridge instead of the usual one. That I had a lipstick that was more natural. And composted whatever little I produce. That I took a bath only once every other day.

[caption id="attachment_243" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Memory altar in progress[/caption]

But this I am happy about. My evening prayers are for others. My home hasn’t witnessed much of anger or harshness. There is no bruising and jungle snarls—things that only single folks can enjoy. There is no gossip. There is lovely music that permeates every corner of my home that heals and rejuvenates it. There is beauty. There is sweet fragrance. It is a place where I recenter myself and ask myself that important question: why am I doing what I am doing.

So I like to go home. I am at peace.