Deep Clean Your Stress Away — Then Relax
Issue No. 08
The last two weeks have been triggering and frustrating, to say the least. Visions and flashbacks of March 2020 lockdown surfaced. With the flutters of anxiety (and anger) increasing as fast as cases have been rising. I decided to channel this stress into deep cleaning my actual surfaces. And it’s working.
Assiduously scrubbing down the house is mitigating a lot of old traumas from the past 23-months precipitated by what’s going on right now. I’m not talking about wiping down avocados and milk jugs with cleansing wipes (so passé, right?). More, scrubbing the baseboards, Magic Erasing the scuff marks on the walls, dusting the ceiling fans, vacuuming kitchen drawers with crumbs and covered flooring (do you know what’s under your bed?). Windex-ing the windows (inside and out - safely, please). Switching on the self-cleaner on the washing machine (doubtful that’s ever happened since I moved in). Running a laundry marathon of throw blankets, pillow covers, and anything with cat hair on it (same goes for you, dog people) that can go into the machine on cold and come out the same size.
Maybe it’s time to upgrade your soap dispenser, light a different candle, get those prints framed, or rearrange your bookshelves. Whatever you need to do to take yourself out of this funk, let’s regain our agency and look forward. While we hunker down all so temporarily, here are some resources, upgrades, and ideas to do around the house that will keep you preoccupied and productive.
Hygge* Never Goes Out of Style!
Since we're not really going anywhere at the moment, why not delight in being in your clean home? Here's what to wear — and relish in — around your tidy house as we get through the next week or two. Browse these hygge styles, light a fire, crack open a novel, or dance in your socks! Do anything to keep your spirits up — anything except putting those old sweatpants back on (now's the time to savor your sanity).
*Hygge /ˈh(y)o͞oɡə,ˈho͝oɡə/; noun: a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture). Here’s how to say it.
Know someone who would enjoy this newsletter? Fashion is for all. Spread the love and share with them by clicking the link below.
The Latest
Have you WORDLE’d? The latest daily word game will keep you preoccupied for a suitable sliver of time. Want to know more? The NYTimes wrote an ode to this game and its creator, which the game is named after or rather a play on his last name, that is.
Looking for a quick pleasure impact? Make a big impact will minimal effort by doing the 4-minute sock purge. It will end up being more satisfying.
Could use your support: This past fall, the Style / Substance YouTube channel launched, featuring virtual SALON x LKS conversations — to keep this great series going, please consider subscribing (click the red button) and also sharing with anyone you think may enjoy the conversations I have with fashion, lifestyle, and consumer goods founders and CEOs. More on this in 2022 — subscribe, so you don’t miss a beat.
Break out the (new) masks: I know mask-wearing can be monotonous, but they’re 100% necessary as we navigate this winter and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Swap out your mask with some colorful KN95 options.
For some levity (not insensitivity)… Consider reading this illustration IG post’s comments, too…
Don’t Miss Out in 2022!
To ensure Style / Substance hits your inbox regularly, please follow these steps for a seamless email experience:
Gmail users: move Style / Substance emails to your primary inbox (star a few recent issues).
Apple Mail users: add Style / Substance to your VIP list.
Outlook users: add Style / Substance to your favorites.
All users: Add stylesubstance@substack.com and laura@lauraksawyier.com to your address book. If you use another email service, use a combination of the recommendations above.
And if you know someone who would enjoy these weekly emails, please share the love! Thank you!