Mundane Tasks

[straysweeper]

I'm starting to explore what I holding me back in mundane tasks. Everyday things that though I may not be able to do them ideally, I can still do them.

Take doing the dishes for example. When I stayed with my friend last year, I didn't mind doing the dishes as she cooked, also, I wouldn't have mind doing the cooking either, at least part of the time. But now, doing the dishes and cooking is more of a chore. I even get the feeling it is moving me away from my goals rather than towards them.

It doesn't really make sense, the task may just be a few more minutes, or even just a perceptional difference rather than being one, yet I simply don't. I don't understand myself with this.

I am journaling about this, but wanted to post here as well.

[DeborahM]

What was your question?

[straysweeper]

What would get in the way, even though I have no responsibilities other than these? Or rather how do I find what is holding me back?

[rei]

do you even really need to know what is holding you back to move forward? (yeah i am big on the 'why' myself.)
here are two suggestions if you think you must know why you are feeling reluctant to do these things:

1. free write.
- have several sheets of paper handy.
- sit down near a clock.
- have your question in your mind and start writing.
- write without stopping for at least five minutes. that means don't stop to fix misspelled words or anything like that. just keep writing. if you get stuck, repeat the same sentence until you start writing something else. your mind may give you several different reasons for this issue.
- as you read back over them (once the five minutes are up) you will probably notice one particular answer that almost sings or jumps out at you... you may not be able to explain how you know it's the best one because you 'just know.' and then there's your answer.

2. i don't know what this is called but it is effective.
- have a couple sheets of paper handy.
- at the top of one of the sheets of paper, write your question, 'what is holding me back from doing menial tasks at home?'
- write this question with your dominant hand, the hand you usually use to write with.
- now, underneath that question, put your pen or pencil in your non-dominant hand (so if you usually write with your right hand, as most people do, put the pen or pencil in your left hand. if you use your left hand, put the pen/pencil in your right hand.)
- then start writing with that hand you don't usually write with. believe it or not, this actually works. you will get the answer this way.

also... if you do those things when you visit a friend, it could be because you want to be a good guest and a good guest helps with chores. so something you can try to get past this, is think of yourself as a visitor in your home. do things the way you would do them as a guest. good luck!

[straysweeper]

Thank you Rei, I will try those and let you know the results.

I just woke up from a nap a little while ago, and immediately had a reaction to something which provoked action. Fortunately the action required took more than 1, 2, 3. Which feels like it awoke an anchor of previous lifestyle of getting into action. When I get moving, I don't like to stop, so I used to always wake up right before work, and I'd be on the go from then till I either took a break, which would happen with ambiguity w/work, or went home. As there was always something to do.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by straysweeper

What would get in the way, even though I have no responsibilities other than these? Or rather how do I find what is holding me back?

I think sometimes it is better to make a decision and do the tasks even though the resistance exists than it is to determine why there is resistance. In your example of doing the dishes just start doing one dish and then the next until the dishes are clean.

Often I can create a new habit such as doing the dishes and never really know what the resistance was all about. Sometimes when just doing the task the source of my resistance to the task is revealed to me and I understand the why of it all.

Either way I have created in my life the behavior that enhances my life by choice and am feel empowered.