How Laundry Can Help You Be More Centered, Mindful and Shar Pei-Free

A Universal Truth: There Is A Right Way To Fold Clothes

If you’re like me and millions of others who are not blessed enough to have a housekeeper, laundry is an inevitable chore. And if you’re like me and have a son who thinks he’s some kind of fashion model, you spend a an inordinate amount of time washing and folding clothes.

Now, truth be told, even if I could afford a housekeeper, I probably wouldn’t allow him or her to fold my clothes. I wouldn’t exactly stop them from sorting and washing the damn things. But unless they passed my stringent clothes-folding requirements, I’d have to say ixnay on the foldingay.

Aside from the obvious functionality of having your clothes folded correctly (and yes, there is a wrong way!)…. like, say… having everything fit in your drawers, reducing wrinkles and being able to locate the item you’re looking for quickly, there’s the ever-important issue of aesthetics.

Easily Find Your Miami Heat Shirt

I mean, honestly, who wants to open a drawer and see a jumbled mess of fabric when you can open your drawer and be greeted with a beautiful (and neat and orderly) work of art? I recommend one of these handy dandy FlipFOLD laundry folders until you get the hang of it. You’re welcome!

Now, you don’t have to take it as far as I do…like having my tanktop drawer organized by color. Or even having a drawer just for tanks. But nevertheless, I invite you to go on a little clothes folding journey with me. One that will bring you more peace and tranquility. Especially when you’re faced with a real quandary. Like getting invited to a last-minute basketball game and being able to quickly and easily find your favorite Miami Heat shirt to sport to the game. Crisis averted. And all because you took the time to fold your clothes neatly.

“So what does laundry have anything to do with mindfulness and meditation?” you ask. I’ll tell you!

Be Present in the Now. Practice Gratitude.

Let’s take shirts, for instance. You see, once you learn how to fold the shirt, it doesn’t really require much thought. Straighten, fold, fold, fold and done!

The beauty of its simplicity allows you to really focus on what you’re doing. Focus on the feel of the fabric. Is it a cotton pique polo with a little more texture? Or is a rayon or dri-fit workout shirt that’s a little silkier to the touch? Enjoy the crisp, clean scent. Especially if it’s freshly laundered. If it just came out of the dryer, feel the warmth emanating from the fabric. Notice the lines you create as you fold. Appreciate the beauty in the symmetry of the stacks you create.

Don’t think about the folding. Or the million other things you need to or want to be doing. Just be fully present in this moment. Practice mindfulness. Let all of those sensations wash over you. Incorporate some deep, cleansing breaths. You can even include gratitude by being grateful that you have clothes to fold!

Reserve The Wrinkles for Your Pooch

I promise that if you incorporate this practice into a mundane chore like folding laundry, you’ll begin to notice shifts in your stress levels. Heck, you may even begin to enjoy laundry!

If nothing else, your drawers will be more beautiful and functional. And people won’t mistakenly take you for a Shar Pei.