I fondly remember my Baba sweeping the kitchen floor after dinner every evening, as part of the clean-up routine.
After the dishes, she swept the floor. I was lulled by the rhythmic method of it, the physical movement and sound, the simple act was part of my upbringing.
Then I grew up, got laminate flooring and a small vacuum. I plugged in my vacuum, my broom got dusty and became a nuisance required for emergency spills only. Until recently that is, when I started sweeping again.
This may seem like an obvious example, I mean - every one sweeps their floors, right? I think not. Not on the regular basis in which our grandparents did. Just like many other routine actions, the methods by which our ancestors lived their lives for generations have gone by the wayside in favour of convenience – electricity, automation, gadgets, computers, machinery, buttons, buttons, buttons.
And now we rely on them, and consider them mainstream. They are expected to be at our fingertips, they blend into our homes and are otherwise unnoticed. But how have they affected us?
I can think of two ways right away:
For a start, our bodies do not have to perform the same number of actions, thus contributing to our general change in physical form, on this continent especially. The health benefits of increased physical activity are obvious.
Secondly, the resources these automated processes consume are numerous. Not only the energy and electricity required to run such things as vacuums or automated doors, but the energy and resources that go into developing, manufacturing, shipping, installing, and maintaining them is such an incredible waste.
Personally, I would rather push the old-fashioned door with my own muscles.
Sure, I make use of these objects every day - in home and out - I have no choice in many of the situations. But I DO have choice in many of these situations as well, which brings me back to the broom.
It simply takes some extra effort. It actually takes no longer to sweep the spills into the dustpan than it does to pull out the vacuum and plug it in, suck everything up and then dispose of the bags. And it is no more difficult than using the vacuum. It just takes a bit of personal effort, and use of a wider range of muscular coordination to perform the task.
It reduces the consumption of resources such as electricity, it cuts the noise pollution, and the heat/dust exhaust that spews out of the back of the machine. And if I choose the right broom, I can reduce the use of Chinese plastic by opting for a sustainably made wood-handled corn broom. Imagine it - just like in "the olden days."
It may seem like a trite example, this sweeping speech, but if you think about it and apply it, and find other ways to do same, then you are on your way to making the small changes that add up for benefit of health and the environment.
I am finding great satisfaction in re-connecting with my home and my actions, and hey - our floors are cleaner.
