The Journey Inward

When all the guests had gone home, the beds were stripped, sheets washed, guest rooms put back in order and the house cleaned, I leapt back into a busy week at work, complete with meetings before and after school, an observation from my supervisor complete with pre and post conferences, and a return to my evening groups and classes. I was exhausted.

Quite uncharacteristically, I couldn’t empty the dishwasher. So many loads over so many days had left me unwilling to unload one more fork or bowl. And so I lived out of it instead. In the morning, I chose a small bowl, spoon and glass for my cereal and juice. At lunch, I chose a plate and spoon for my usual vegetablish concoction. I packed a spoon and fork in my lunch bag for the day’s snacks. And at dinner, I dove back in for a plate and utensils to match the meal at hand. After each sitting, I would rinse my dishes and stack them neatly in the sink.

What was the plan, you might ask? I was waiting for the tipping point. The time when the dishwasher to sink ratio was ripe for the removal of the few remaining pieces of tupperware, the last mug, the best egg flipping spatula and the loading of the 4 bowls, 7 spoons, 5 plates, 3 forks, 2 knives.

I feel good about staying on top of the dishes this week, but it was almost joyful to watch this exchange, one side decreasing as the other increased until there was a point of complete balance, homeostasis. Then, with the removal of that one serving plate and the addition of a blender and a cookie tray, the stalemate was over. It was time to take action.

Photos: 12.4.24 by LA