Domestic Divinity

I was looking at my laptop today, in my "my documents" and I realised that for I'm actually quite an accomplished woman. Not to blow my own trumpet (although that's what I'm doing) but its not something I've really ever considered. I'm in the process of writing a novel, I work (admittedly only part-time), I keep my and my husband's apartment with spectacular views pretty clean and tidy, I'm a pretty damn good cook, I launder all our clothes, I write this blog, I sew numerous (some of them unfinished) projects, I knit quite a few (also admittedly most of them unfinished) projects, I'm taking a language course to improve my norwegian, I speak spanish and I take an active part in religious and voluntary work. Thinking about it I'm quietly on my way to Domestic divinity, and whereas its true my housecleaning could be improved, I could do with losing a few more kilos and my eyebrows go regularly unchecked and unplucked, this doesn't detract from the fact that, as it goes, I'm succeeding in my goals to be the 21st Century version of the !950's housewife. That doesn’t mean to say that I don’t nag at my husband that he doesn’t always pick up after himself, nor does it mean that I’m always serene and calm, that I never grumble. He wishes! I live in Norway, and as a Brit it feels occasionally like living in an episode of “Real Housewives”. In my opinion (please remember I said that) Norwegians seem obsessed with body beautiful, and domestic perfection. The ideal among some is to be CONSTANTLY at the gym, never eating anything remotely fattening, having the latest and greatest furnishings and technology and wearing everything designer or at least a good quality knock-off. Unfortunately for me, it can be very discouraging when I’m always on some kind of healthy eating plan, struggle to exercise everyday (because basically I have better things to do with my time) and never quite succeeding to keep my flat immaculately clean(see above reason). I love to eat, and do tend to splurge at the weekends with cake or other wickedness. I’m not saying that there aren’t Norwegian fatties just like me, there are, and most of my friends are down-to-earth tubbies like myself who are only complete neat freaks (unlike me). What I’m saying is that I’ve felt kind of inferior to these diet-obsessed, exercising neat freaks, with their perfect figures, perfect hair, outfits and seemingly immaculate and impeccable homes. But now, well at least for the moment, I don’t feel so much of a failure. After listing off my “accomplishments”, I’m doing pretty well for a roaming gypsy with itchy feet, who eats too much and should probably visit the hairdressers more often. Domestic divinity doesn’t seem to be so far off the mark, and thinking about it like that makes me wonder really how many of us aren’t actually domestic goddesses without really being aware of it. After all most women are juggling their lives and kids and careers and looking good whilst doing so. I don’t mean having a fantastic French manicure that never gets chipped or perfect eyebrows, hair and/or waxed legs (things I’d give anything to be able to constantly keep perfectly maintained) but just looking their best and taking pride in their appearance whilst cleaning, working and looking after their families. Only Hollywood starlets these days with an army of maids, cooks, stylists and personal trainers can keep up the kind of looks and lifestyles that we all aspire to. So from now on I’m going to give myself permission to think of myself as a domestic goddess.