I think that life is too short to do things you don’t enjoy doing.
And yet, there are some things that simply must be done; like housework, dishes, and paperwork.
So what do I do about that?
Simple. I find things about the unavoidables that I do enjoy, and concentrate on those aspects.
Take the dishes. When I was growing up, I hated doing dishes. The only bit I liked was the part where I had to take the trash outside, and could spend half an hour or so star-gazing. (I should note here that my parents didn’t think that was part of the job. In fact, one time when my star charts said Orion should be visible, but I was unable to spot him, I went inside and told my Dad. His reply? “His mother probably kept him inside doing dishes.”)
When I left home, it swiftly became obvious that every meal of the day, every day of the week, was going to be “my turn” to do dishes. Aaaagggghhh!
For a while, I just did them, and hated every minute of it. (I was in an apartment with an incinerator chute, so there wasn’t even star-gazing.)
Finally I realized that I was stuck with the chore, so it would be a good idea to find something about it that I enjoyed. Well, I love running water. And soap bubbles. And really, doing dishes is mostly running water and soap! I also like to make things shiny. And I love order.
So the task was playing with water and bubbles, while making things shiny. And then putting them in a nice, neat order in the cupboards.
I could really get into that!
Once I actually enjoyed doing dishes, I began to look for parts I enjoyed about all the other things that had to be done. And you know what? I found them! No matter how onerous the task, when approached with the right attitude I could fine something to love about it.
So now, I never do anything I don’t enjoy doing.
You should try it!
Great idea! I hate scooping the kitty litter…I’ll have to give this some thought. This really is a super way to reframe unpleasant tasks. Thanks!
What a good idea. i have been putting off my housework for a while – but I do like it when it is all finished, neat and tidy – so I better think about that and go and do it now. 🙂
Hi There! I love your blog name and your posts are quite refreshing and enjoyable to read. I have nominated your blog for the Liebster Award, if you are interested in participating, you can find out more info here:
http://fasttimesinalaska.wordpress.com/2014/04/24/liebster-award/
That’s a very good reminder that it is the attitude that counts and that nothing is won my making something you’re not thrilled to do even harder to do by focusing on everything you’d rather be doing, instead of finding something good about doing it. Lovely post. 🙂
This is a difficult task but probably a worth of trying. Thanks! I nominated you for Liebster award: http://justapieceofafrika.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/liebster-award/
I despise housework, too! My goal is to design and sell quilt/paper piecing patterns and make enough money to pay someone to come clean my house. That’s all I want! So far, I’ve made $7.50 so I suppose in the meantime, I’d better figure out how to like cleaning. I will try your method–thanks! I do like when everything is all in order and clean, but with a husband, a 2 year old, and a 4 year old, that cleanliness and order is rarely spotted.
I really appreciate the philosophy you explain here. Need to incorporate more of that into my own life 🙂
Recently, I was given a Liebster Award which entitles me to now nominate other folks for the award and I pick YOU!
Read all about it here: http://splendidsass.wordpress.com/2014/05/14/the-liebster-award/
Thanks! Sorry that it took so long to approve and reply. I’ve been down with a nasty infection. This is the first day I’ve felt well enough to even look at this blog.
I’m deeply honored that you nominated me for the Liebster Award, but I have decided not to participate. I’m kind of swamped here, without all the elevenses. 😀