Soft on Hands; Washes More Dishes

I hate washing dishes – but I have to do it because disposable plates would be horrible for the environment, not to mention my pocketbook.  And I don’t have a dishwasher.  Or a maid.  Or even someone who will help without a) breaking something or b) making a bigger mess than I care to deal with.

 

And so, I wash the dishes and wash more dishes and yikes – does it ever end? 

Honestly, though I have learned over much trial and error that I can deal with it, and (oh the horror) actually not mind it so much.  So, I was thinking about it the other day – how is it that things that we hate to do become things that we can tolerate and do with a bit (yes, a tiny bit) of a smile?

 

Exam studying, gym workouts, diaper changes, taxes…

 

Here are some secrets to learning to tolerate and do, do, do:

 

1)  Chunk Down the Time

 

With the dishes, I don’t stand there all day washing one dish at a time or as they get dirty.  I let the dishes gather all day long, and then at the end of the day, I take the time and do them all.  I believe it saves me time and minimizes the hardship of spending too much time worrying about when I’ll do them.  I know when the dishwashing will happen- and that frees me from the guilt I see everytime I pass the kitchen sink.  I say “I’ll get to you later” and move on to other things – until after the last plate has been eaten in and the last glass has been sipped from.  And after the dishes are all done, and the sink sparkles, I’ll put up the “kitchen closed” sign until the next day.

 

The same principle can be applied to any task that weighs heavily on your shoulders.  Set the time when you know you’ll have to work on it and get it done – and then put up the ‘closed’ sign.  But maybe that won’t work for diaper changes

 

2)  Intention is Queen of the Jungle

 

As I stand there about to roll up my sleeves and get down to the business of washing those dishes I wonder, “why, oh why?”  And then I think that by washing the dishes I’m making sure that my family will eat from something clean and that my husband will appreciate that sparkling sink in the morning (maybe enough to start a pot of coffee for me before he leaves ).  I’m saving the environment – saving the planet of disposable plates.  I think of all the ‘ajr, or reward I’m inshAllah going to get from Allah SWT because of all these good intentions.  And since being a good mother, wife, and planet saver are all part of the roles I want to play with my time on this earth – it all goes back to my personal goals, and I am able to connect the washing of the dishes to them.  That is a powerful motivator to get things done.

 

In fact, the more we are able to connect the tasks in our lives to our purpose and greater goals, the more we are able to nurture and complete them with ease.

 

An exam well done becomes a pathway to a degree that will help humanity and be pleasing to your Creator.  A gym workout becomes a way to continually harness your energy into doing the things that will bring you fulfillment.  And a diaper change, well…saves everyone in the surrounding vicinity from much suffering.  Look at you…the benevolent queen of Sheba!

 

3)  Make it Enjoyable

 

I’ve found this really sweet smelling “aromatherapy” dishwashing liquid.  It’s a lovely color and as soon as I open the bottle, it sets the mood for a happy ‘dishwashing’ session.  Did I say “happy”?  Okay, maybe that’s a strong word.  But, I do notice a difference from when I buy a generic, nasty “lemon” scented, doesn’t-really-cut-the-grease or even produce-enough-suds-to-make-a-difference type dishwashing liquid.

 

So, what can you do to enjoy the tasks you dislike?  Some time in the sauna after your gym workout?  A piece of fine chocolate as you finish the last bit of studying?   A scented candle as you change the diaper?  That’ll work

Now, tell me:  what did I miss?  What are your strategies for making insufferable tasks more sufferable, and softer on your hands so that you’ll get more done?