Welcome to February….
While I’m in the midst of some quick dish towel laundry this fine brisk morning, it occurs to me that I have found my topic for this month’s column.
As Nike has been marketing for years: ”JUST DO IT”, I’m adding the word ”NOW!” As in,
“Just Do it NOW”. What’s my point?
As I’m doing the laundry… it occurs to me that one of the all-time clutter generators is PROCRASTINATION (the other is INDECISION).
Regarding PROCRASTINATION, I’m gathering the dish towels, now clean and fluffy dry, and I go ahead and fold them, in thirds, like the nerd I can be, and I realize that what is an easy habit for me is often a perplexing, mind-altering obstacle for many. What is it about laundry folding that gets us motivated to do ANYTHING BUT fold the laundry? When I was folding into thirds, I reflected that this activity is NOW, not an hour from now, or a day, week or month. It’s being able to handle modest tasks, household chores, in the moment. I know, I know, easier said than done… and that’s the revelation I had.
It’s actually EASIER to do these undane, but necessary, tasks RIGHT AWAY… automatically, without thinking a second thought!! In five minutes, the folding was done. End of story. Hard stop. No biggie.
Conversely, if you’re one to PROCRASTINATE, move the pile, offer the task to another household member, well then what happens?? It becomes a “thing.” An issue… a “thing” to have to nag about, scold, push aside, and stare at. Why not get it done, NOW and have it be behind you? I’m done with the laundry task, and have my mindset for my bigger, bolder, more pressing activities (like writing this Happy Herald column!)
What else? Look around your home.
What else is blocking your flow, what else are you procrastinating about? Take a look. Likely it’s a chronic thing, maybe a communications thing, (“I thought you said you’ll do the laundry this time!”) Perhaps it’s dishes!!
Dish washing is a daily chore. Some love it and handle it, others wait until that red sauce cakes up dry on the pan or pot interior… and it’s another “THING” to be dealt with.
Here’s how we go about tackling dirty dishes on a daily basis:
1. Decide who’s in charge and responsible for the dish washing today?
Often in our household, s/he who cooks has the other clean up… and vice versa.
For me, and I may be in the minority, I clean up as I go, put water into the red sauce pan immediately, escaping the nasty dried red paste that forms, making dish washing easier.
2. With a designated dish washer in place, the idea is to JUST DO IT… NOW!!! Don’t wait.
Dinner is a success. The meal is complete (except for dessert on the way), and it’s time to contemplate, nay, DO the DISHES…a simple rinse with soap and nothing gets caked up… moreover, if you’re a couple, one can wash, one can dry, or load the dishwasher… together… (oh what Joy!) Maybe that’s why the dishwashing liquid is named JOY??!!... but then there’s DAWN liquid (for the procrastinator that waits till morning to do the dishes???). But I digress.
And digress I will, since doing dishes, like laundry, turns dirty household items into refreshing, reusable like-new items.
3. Once dishes are done (the same night), they can be dishwasher-loaded or hand-washed, and placed in the drain basket. Either way, the simple, rather relaxing, if not basic task of dish washing is complete. Do it… DAILY, and assign the task to the kids, so they learn how to wash and dry and take responsibility.
4. Now, the hardest part for so many:
PUTTING THOSE DISHES AWAY. I know, it’s just another chore that gets put off until a plate or glass topples onto the floor… but putting the dishes, pots and pans, silverware and glasses away is well… just a thing – a basic maintenance thing… so do it NOW… not tomorrow, or never, or “I thought it was your night” procrastination.
5. Now (this month’s theme) we have a better habit and sense of laundry and dishes… how to do them, regularly, without issues… this allows for you to focus on bigger goals, like writing that book, establishing your nonprofit, taking charge of whatever you do… reading a book, fishing, going for a long walk… you’re free of domestic obligation, so whatever you choose to do… you’ll feel lighter about it, with less burden, no worries about the next load (dishes or laundry), and therefore your mind is at ease. Able to focus on the bigger stuff! Congratulations!!!
I hope you LOVE this month’s message, and remember to LOVE yourself this Valentine’s Day while practicing RANDOM ACTS of KINDNESS each day for a better world.
As always, if you would like to speak with me about a project, problem or idea, reach out.
I’m here for you…be well and JUST
DO IT… NOW !
Until next time... Clear the Clutter… Clear the Mind™
