I am a mother of three. My daily activities involve taking care of my three children and my husband. This includes preparing breakfast, lunch boxes, school uniforms, and my husband's work clothes. These are all typical housewife tasks. After my children and husband leave, I cook lunch and clean the house. I also wash and hang out the laundry to dry. When I have time, I also water the plants and weed my yard. I have several plants I care for at home, such as cycads and herbs. Gardening is one of my passions.
Some people might think that being a housewife isn't a profession, but for me, being a housewife is more than just a job. If the only measure is money, being a housewife is often underestimated. I don't blame working mothers, because their responsibilities are essentially the same. I'm not comparing the two, as everyone has their own preferences. I simply want to express my perspective as a housewife.
Whatever our choice, there will always be people who will comment on it. This just happened to me: people who never asked how I was, never looked at me, never spoke to me, judged me profusely about my standard of living, even to the point of targeting my bag. They had no idea how I'd lived my life. They just assumed and judged. I'd always thought it was better to remain silent than to respond to what they said, but it turns out silence wasn't the solution.
I mustered up the courage to speak up, even though my heart was pounding and my hands were shaking. I didn't care what would happen, because I just wanted to feel better. It's exhausting to deal with people who drain your energy, but you can't distance yourself from them because of family ties. I've tried to get closer to them, but somehow, it seems like our energies are at odds. Sometimes, silence isn't golden.
It's not easy being a housewife in my area, even from the beginning of your married life. There's a lot of judgment coming not just from others but also from your own family. That's what I've been experiencing, and it's been really affecting my mental health. Ironically, it came from fellow women who should be supporting each other.
I'm so grateful to have a family that supports me and accepts my flaws. They always welcome me no matter what. I do whatever I can to distract myself from negative thoughts. I pray, recite the Quran, knit, write, cook, and help my sister sell her things. When I feel overwhelmed, I find a safe place to talk. That way, I won't feel alone. What about you? What do you do to ease your anxiety? Please share here. I hope you enjoyed this post. See you in the next one.
Location: Indonesia
📷: Tecno Camon 40 Pro
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