Bring on the donkey work

November is a busy month, at least in the USA. Some people send out for, pay someone to, decide to stop bothering with . . . the same things other people lovingly prepare, take pride in, look forward to. What bits of adult life would you ditch / have you ditched? What "chores" feel like treats?

by Dietrich

Like anybody, I’m all for ditching chores I don’t like to do. Who wouldn’t want to have more time for the fun stuff? It’s better to be munching a carrot than doing the donkey work, but let’s face it, fair is fair, and one needs to pull their weight. I’ve also learned that pushing these routine tasks aside for later can leave me with a niggling feeling — maybe it’s guilt — and undone chores have a way of piling up, meaning there’ll be even more to do later on.

One cure is delegation. This can be a good thing. I’m reminded of Tom Sawyer convincing Ben and his other pals that whitewashing a fence is a great pleasure. But, such hoodwinking may weigh on an adult conscience, and such gullible grown-up pals may be in short supply. Hiring somebody to do these tasks would be a better way to go. If one has kids, perhaps a negotiation for a bump in allowance could get the work done. If the nest is empty, perhaps an entrepreneurial youth in the neighborhood would like to earn a few bucks for cutting the lawn, raking the leaves, washing the car, shoveling snow, or whatever chores need doing. 

For the chores I don’t like to do but can’t ditch or hire out, discipline is required. I tell myself not to be such a baby and just get it out of the way. I often put on some music to lessen the tedium, or perk things up by listening to an audiobook. 

Then there are those tasks that I actually like to do. I started cooking and baking years back and I found I actually enjoy it and I’ve gotten pretty good at it. Not to the point that anybody’s likely to offer me my own cooking show, but then again nobody’s gagged and fallen off a chair either. I also enjoy gardening and I find that quite relaxing as well. I’m also reasonably handy around the house, fixing things and making certain improvements and that can leave me with a feeling of accomplishment.

Writing is the first thing I do every day while the world around me still sleeps. I cherish the hours where I can get into whatever story I’m working on. So, as long as I have that, then I have no complaints, and I can say with a smile on my face — bring on the chores.