Why housework is always too much

Previously there was one rubbish bin. Now they have three; one nearly full of packaging and other containers for recycling, one with food waste being thrown out to landfill, and one with garden rubbish to be turned into mulch.

We are nearly like Americans comic strips where putting out the garbage is their biggest chore and occasions for fighting as to who should do it.

So much housework – as much as before.

What to do then?

Use our brains – keep as much of the old ways and of the new as will give us as little housework as possible and electricity bills as small as possible.

Carbon-emissions are saved by not driving. Walking to go shopping used to require a basket, soft-handled string-bag, dilly-bag or backpack for light shopping, and for heavy shopping, a shopping jeep or pram. This is exercise especially good when the back was kept straight and elegant, and pulling or pushing with your arms so that the back was not bent. Shopping should not be weighed down with wasteful packaging

A good hand-mower for level or 'drought' lawns is pushed from the waist, not hunched, for figure-improving exercise for the stomach. A hand-mower costs far less than a power mower, saves carbon emissions and does not annoy neighbours. There was at least one excellent Australian mower on the market, so light it almost flew.

Do repetitive jobs with rhythm for more speed, pleasure and exercise - e.g. dishwashing by hand, hanging up washing, making beds, and using a carpet-sweeper or broom for quick sweeping jobs rather than vacuum. Move your feet rather than stand still at kitchen jobs, or use a high stool or chair when convenient, to avoid varicose veins. Carbon-emissions are saved by not using electricity except when necessary.

Exercise while you wait. Walk and turn while waiting for a bus or train or person, turn and stretch when sitting at a phone. These are times to exercise the neck, feet, leg and arm raising, pelvic-floor contracting, posture correction, correct breathing.

Sing or hum around the house or in the bathroom for morale and good breathing. Children love to hear you singing, until they are old enough to discriminate. Be careful of disturbing adults though.

Dance down the passage sometimes.

Creative hobbies give healthy exercise - play music, paint, carpentry, home renovating.