I have shared on the blog how much I love to read! This summer I am reading two books. I always read two books at a time. It’s a habit I developed while I was in college. This summer I have decided to read Bella Tuscany: The Sweet Life in Italy by Frances Mayes and Thirty Chic Days; Practical Inspiration for a Beautiful Life by Fiona Ferris.
I really dove right into this book! It is an easy read and it is delightful! One section of the book that I found to be quite interesting was the part about “being private at home”. Here is what Fiona said, “When you are at home with your beloved and your family, create a little mystery around yourself. Close the door when you brush your teeth, don’t blabber on about every little thing you’re thinking of, and don’t ask your husband which shoes or jacket looks better.
Instead, choose for yourself then make an entrance into the room, accepting a compliment with pleasure. It is sometimes easier to learn mystique from someone who doesn’t have any. Do you want to be that person that others learn from? It’s different with family and close friends, but even then you will want to keep your marriage relationship details private. It is many men’s horror that their other half will blab embarrassing details to their friends or family about them.
I know of people who don’t tell family members private information because they know they will be unable to keep it to themselves. Remember, it’s not only that one person you are sharing with, but it’s whoever they might tell also. It is respectful of others to not spill their secrets, insecurities, or private happenings.
A foolproof way of knowing if it’s okay to relay information about a person is- would I say this if the person was standing right next to me listening to the conversation as well? Or, would I send this email if the person I’m mentioning was reading it over my shoulder? I love this test because it works every time.
Isn’t this wonderful? Not to say that most of us don’t know these “social rules” anyway but it is a reminder to be private. I wrote about “Keeping an Air of Mystery” earlier this year.
Keeping mystery at home is a wonderful thing. I believe that there are certain things that your kids should not see you do. In the evening when I am getting dressed for bed, I shut our bedroom door. I do not want my daughter to see my naked body! I think that is terrible. I have some friends and family who don’t mind but that is their business, not mine.
Learning to be an “elegant bearing woman” is very hard these days but we must continue to press forward and learn how to be leaders in this area. I hope you enjoyed this and I hope you will pick up Thirty Chic Days. It is wonderful…..
(text via Fiona Harris)
