Stop avoiding the chores I "don’t like."

IMG_1256

I HATE unloading the dishes.  So, I avoid doing it.  I stack dishes in the sink, I hand wash other dishes, I even blog about not unloading the dishwater…. all in the pursuit of not actually unloading the dishwasher.

 

This is bad.  And it’s indicative of something deeper.

 

I put things off that I don’t "want" to do.  And then the task gnaws at me.  It fills my head.  I worry about it.  I unnecessarily stress over it.  In fact, I spend MORE TIME thinking about unloading the dishwasher than it would actually take to just DO IT.

Whether it is paying the bills, calling your insurance company about a claim, writing a thank-you card…. whatever the chore — just do it.

 

What chores do you avoid?

 

Check out the rest of the Things I Need To Do More Often series here.

{ 53 comments }

 

  • Amanda September 1, 2009, 6:07 pm

    love this! I am really lazy about/bad at taking good care of my nice work clothes and shoes. I will put off hand-washing things or going to the dry cleaner, and I really think I could make my nice stuff last a lot longer if I just took the time to care for it!!

  • thefitbride September 1, 2009, 6:11 pm

    I avoid paying bills…I always get them in on time, but just barely. I like to hang on to my money as long as I possibly can!

  • Heather September 1, 2009, 6:14 pm

    These "Things I Need to Do More Often" are inspiring me to do all the things I keep on saying I want/need to do. My least favorite chore is LAUNDRY! I don't mind the actual process of sorting/doing it, but folding it and putting it away is the worst. In fact, there's a basket full of clean (and now wrinkly) clothes on the floor.

    It's so easy to psyche yourself out of doing something. I spent about 30 minutes today thinking about how I just didn't want to do some important paperwork, but if I would have taken those 30 minutes to just DO IT, it would have been taken care of.

  • platipus329 September 1, 2009, 6:15 pm

    Is it weird that I actually enjoy taking out the dishes and putting them away? I find it relaxing and it destresses me. I don't like vacuuming, I find it never works out for me and I just get frustrated when the lint one budge!

  • Paige@ Running Around Normal September 1, 2009, 6:18 pm

    Hey Caitlin, I used to HATE doing the dishes, even though I have a dish washer too. So one day I was thinking, it would only take me 5 minutes, and it'd be done for the rest of the night. So one day, I set the timer on my stove to 5 minutes, and got it done within that time. I used to set the time for 5 every day (though now I don't set the time anymore) but I still take 5 minutes at the end of the day to do it. HTH… 🙂

  • Megan @ Megzz Wins At Life September 1, 2009, 6:20 pm

    I avoid putting away my laundry!! I don't mind doing it but I hate putting it away.. I end up taking the clean clothes right out of the pile!

  • Lauren September 1, 2009, 6:24 pm

    Haha, your hatred of unloading the dishwasher is very similar to my hatred of folding laundry. Not sure why, but I loath this chore. Ugh, something about not being able to fold clothes neatly just urkes me.

    I love this series. There are a million things I should do more often, but if I take a moment to write down a few, then I am well on my way to making some vital steps.

    Hope you find the motivation you need to do this nasty little chore.
    Take care Caitlin!

  • Tay September 1, 2009, 6:25 pm

    LOL you're too funny. I hate cleaning the bathroom. Ugh!! I don't mind doing dishes at all, but that dang bathroom. YUCK!

  • Sarah September 1, 2009, 6:25 pm

    I loathe unloading the dishwasher. It takes all of 5 minutes but it my absolute least favorite task.

  • Mrs. LC September 1, 2009, 6:25 pm

    Laundry (specifically folding)…it's the only thing both Ross and I hate to do, so we have to have folding parties and both sit down and do it. 🙂

    Unfortunately one "chore" that I'm starting to become obsessive/ stressed/ worried/ etc. about is job searching. It's awful but it's become a chore to me, and one that I hate. lol no wonder I go crazy half the time.

  • Oh She Glows September 1, 2009, 6:26 pm

    This is SO timely because I just did this with the dishes today (they were all piled up) and it was on my mind ALL day!!!! Thank you for this!!!

  • Andrea September 1, 2009, 6:26 pm

    SO with you on this one. It's my least fave.

    http://fithealthyfun.blogspot.com

  • Jess (Fit Chick in the City) September 1, 2009, 6:28 pm

    I am the same way! I guess anything that's related to cleaning. At least you have a dishwasher.

  • Joyce September 1, 2009, 6:32 pm

    Maybe someday you can do what I do: Have my kids put away the dishes! They aren't tall enough for everything though. YET!
    I love cooking, but hate grocery shopping.. weird.. unless its a fun trip like whole foods or trader joes but that is a 1 hour drive.

  • Leianna September 1, 2009, 6:32 pm

    I avoid washing the floors, I;m picky so I need to get on my hands and knees to really clean them, but I dread it!

  • Claire September 1, 2009, 6:36 pm

    Dusting…I hate dusting! I'm not the biggest fan of putting away dishes, either…but I HATE having dirty dishes in my skin, so I do it!

  • afitandspicylife September 1, 2009, 6:42 pm

    I hate ironing, and will not wear button down shirts just so I don't have to iron. So bad!

  • Sheri September 1, 2009, 6:49 pm

    Putting away the laudry! It can sit in the basket all week..but I have been getting better about putting away as soon as I carry it upstairs.

    I also hate house cleaning in general…so I leave it to my cleaning lady! 🙂

  • thresholdofgreatness September 1, 2009, 6:51 pm

    I avoid workouts like this! I catch myself sometimes and think that I could have been to the gym and back in the amount of time I spent thinking about it.

    I hate unloading the dishwasher too. 🙂 And, I hate putting clothes away!

  • Courtney W. September 1, 2009, 7:00 pm

    I used to be the same way. I hated unloading the dishwasher. Did you know that on average though, it takes only TWO MINUTES?! TWO MINUTES! I have never had a problem doing it since I read that. It used to gnaw at me too, what a waste of worry!

  • Lizzy September 1, 2009, 7:00 pm

    Lovin this girl! 🙂 You and me both. i ALWAYS avoid the things i dont like to do, but i feel so much better after their done. now that i think about it i should call my school counselor! Thanks for reminding me 😉

  • Lainie September 1, 2009, 7:12 pm

    Unloading the dishwasher is one of them…and putting away clean laundry is up there too. I don't mind folding the laundry…I just HATE putting it away.

  • Mandee Lei September 1, 2009, 7:12 pm

    I just put it off long enough that the husband actually complains and does it himself (such as right now). :] We both split the chores and we both hate the dishes equally lol. It's like a face off to see who can hold out the longest.

  • chandra September 1, 2009, 7:15 pm

    I'm with you on avoiding unloading the dishwasher… but my worst is folding laundry. I hate folding laundry. My room is almost always a disaster, which sucks because I'm always so much calmer when it's picked up! lol

  • Emily (A Nutritionist Eats) September 1, 2009, 7:21 pm

    Ugghhh, I need to call people back sooner – I spend a lot of my day on the phone for work and so I'm never in the mood to talk on the phone…but I need to just get over it!!!

  • Susan September 1, 2009, 7:28 pm

    Putting away my clothes. I usually dump the clean ones on the floor, then put the dirty ones in the hamper. I don't know why, I just cringe at the thought of putting something on a hanger, or folding it in a drawer. I think I spend more time ironing my balled up clothing than I would just putting it away properly!

  • Kelsey September 1, 2009, 7:32 pm

    i love this post series!! it makes me want to concoct my own list :]
    i actually like unloading the dishwasher! if i dont do it, my dad does and he bangs around the plates and it gets so noisy.
    what i am not a fan of is having to be on the phone. i always put that off until it is absolutely crucial!

  • Vicky September 1, 2009, 7:37 pm

    Doing the dishes and doing laundry (especially work out clothing)!

  • Nicci@NiftyEats September 1, 2009, 7:40 pm

    I can't stand unloading the dishes and taking out the trash. Now, that the bf and I live together I have designated that as his two chores!

  • Jenna September 1, 2009, 7:45 pm

    omg i love emptying the dishwasher. there really aren't any chores i don't like doing!

  • angieinatlanta September 1, 2009, 7:50 pm

    Love this post because I hate it, too! Why do I agonize over something so superficial and silly? Thanks for the motivation!

  • Stephanie September 1, 2009, 8:06 pm

    Taking clean clothes out of the dryer… I am the worst. I will use it as a quasi-closet til I have to dry another load… horrible!

  • jesstyler September 1, 2009, 8:59 pm

    Cleaning the bathroom … I made a deal with my hubby that the bathroom was his job and the cat box was mine. Fair trade, right? Except the bathroom STILL doesn't get cleaned. UGH.

  • nolarising September 1, 2009, 9:16 pm

    I struggle with this EVERY day. Laundry consumes me and if I just did it then I wouldn't have to stress about it all the time.

    There's a productivity book I'm checking out called "Eat that Frog!" that basically says you should do the thing you hate the most first thing for peace of mind… easier said then done!

  • Jessica September 1, 2009, 11:24 pm

    I actually love emptying the dishwasher because it feels so good to put everything back in its place. Plus it's 1000 times better than having to wash them and put them away. Thank God for dishwashers.

    I'm the worst at putting laundry away. I just pick my clothes off a big pile and periodically throw the dirty ones in the laundry. It doesn't stress me out that much until I'm looking for something specific, like matching socks, and end up rolling around on the floor in a sea of clothes, crying in frustration… I should really do something about that.

  • nicole September 2, 2009, 12:08 am

    I do the same thing too! I really hate doing anything around the house, but at the same time, it feels so good afterward to have a clean home! I set my timer for 30 minutes or 1 hour (it depends on how much time I have). Then, I just tell myself, "clean what you can during that time, and get done what you can!" I surprise myself every time over the amount of stuff that I can actually get done!

  • Rosey Rebecca September 2, 2009, 3:27 am

    I'm with you. I avoid doing anything dish related. I don't mind unloading as much but a sink full of dishes just leaves a sinking feeling in my stomach so I try to go to the other room to get rid of it when really, if I just did the dishes, I would feel better. lol

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point September 2, 2009, 3:45 am

    I AM SO GLAD I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE!!! LOL

    after writing this post, i did all the dishes!! i'm going to think about this everytime i dont want to do them… you guys are RIGHT, it only takes a few minutes.

  • emily September 2, 2009, 5:59 am

    I signed up for Flylady emails a few years ago, and that has helped me put a little perspective on housecleaning. She's a little cheesy, but I like most of her ideas.

  • AmYaroundthecorner September 2, 2009, 6:07 am

    What a wonderful tip! I definitely put off my laundry until the very last second (read: 1 pair of socks left, or I am out of sports bras!)

    In my heart I know that these chores are never as bad as I make them out to be… but I am still so bad with putting them off, and doing "more fun things" instead! I know that I would feel much more at peace and in control if I did them, though 🙂

  • Kristin September 2, 2009, 6:24 am

    I hate unloading the dishwasher too!!! I also hate laundry! I'm so bad at chores… lol

  • Stephanie September 2, 2009, 7:22 am

    I put off folding laundry! So laborious…why not just leave it in the basket? But then I get all my clothes wrinkly and my husband complains that his shirts are wrinkled and I feel guilty. If I just did it when it came out of the dryer, life would be so much easier! lol

  • chipped nails and all September 2, 2009, 7:41 am

    oh my goodness, I abhore dusting! I really, really don't like having to move everything and then put it back in it's place. I often "dust" by just blowing really hard and hoping the dust settles elsewhere….classy, I know! Thank goodness for Swiffer Dry Cloths…they have literally made dusting at least 60% more bearable!

  • jack+alli September 2, 2009, 7:55 am

    haha! that's the chore i don't like! i try to make a game out of it, though. i like to see how fast i can get it done. 🙂
    fun post!

  • jack+alli September 2, 2009, 7:56 am

    oh! one more thing! i FINALLY made myself a green monster! i've been seeing it all over the place in food blogger land, but it never sounded good. um…..holy cow! it's delicious! i'm hooked!

  • Julia September 2, 2009, 10:34 am

    I don't know if this counts as a chore, but I put off reminding my dirty housemates to do THEIR chores. I hate confrontation so much that for the past few months I have been doing their chores….sigh… haha. I need to learn to be more assertive!

  • Ali September 2, 2009, 11:12 am

    I avoid:
    – Unloading the dishwasher
    – Laundry
    – Certain paperwork at my part-time job
    – cutting up fruits and veggies for the week.

    I need to stop doing that!

  • seesaraheat September 2, 2009, 11:50 am

    Haha, my husband unloads the dishwasher, but I procrastinate reloading it. I hate the dishes!

    I also had cleaning the bathroom…but I've noticed that if I make myself do just one thing each day that it gets easier.

  • Jolene - EverydayFoodie September 2, 2009, 2:41 pm

    I avoid putting my clothes away – I always try on a few things before going out and then toss them on the floor or bed, etc. and I hate putting them away.

  • Deb (Smoothie Girl Eats Too) September 2, 2009, 8:07 pm

    This is absolutely terrible: I live in Southern California where the next earthquake is inevitable (not IF but WHEN), and on my To-Do list (for the past 2 yrs) is to make my emergency kit. The easiest part was going to Smart&Final to buy tons of high calorie shelf stable food, but there's so much more you need. Ugh. (hangs head in shame)

  • TinaGirl September 2, 2009, 10:54 pm

    why do today what you can put off til tomorrow. Story of my life. I need to clean the bathroom that the boys use… bad. ugh. tomorrow I guess. AND I hate vaccuuming. But that actually gets done on a regular basis.

  • Anne September 5, 2009, 12:59 am

    I used to do that too. Lately though, I've gotten pretty good at doing those things immediately. I just stop myself as I think "I'll do that later" and ask myself if it will be any more fun/easier if I do it later. Sometimes, it really will be more fun because I can do it together with the boyfriend or something like that, but most of the time, I'll conclude it will be worse, because it gets the whole 'I already procrastinated about that, why do I always procrastinate?!' attached to it.

    O, and timing the things you hate to do helps too; it really only takes 5 minutes max to unload the dishwasher, not the 20 minutes my mind thinks it does…

  • Elina September 6, 2009, 7:43 pm

    Haha, I just watched the "You got boxed" video and it was hilarious!!! I hope you win 😀

Previous post:

Next post:

Healthy Tipping Point