Deciding to LOVE Doing the Dishes

I decided this morning that I LOVE to do the dishes. Now, before you start to think that I'm a weirdo, let me explain.

The truth is, I LOVE having the dishes done.

I love a load of clean dishes in the dishwasher. I love a stack of clean big dishes on the counter. I love shiny silverware and washed white plates. And I love a freshly scrubbed sink.

Do I actually love the effort and time that goes into doing the dishes? Hmm, I'm not so sure I do.

But WHY am I cleaning the dishes if I don't love it?

I could lie to myself and say I "have to" or "need to" do the dishes, but neither if those are true.

I could shame myself into believing that if I don't do the dishes, I'm a lazy slob. Or that if I do the dishes, I'd be a better person. But I don't really believe any of that either.

The only reason I ever do the dishes is because I LOVE the result of having done the dishes. So, I might as well decide that I also love to do the dishes.

Where in your life can you relate to this?

I've been a runner for many years. I LOVE the "runner's high" (the result) so much that I choose to love the act of running too. I certainty don't have to or need to run. My joints would probably appreciate me stopping and doing lower impact exercise.

But I choose to run and I choose to love it. So, I stretch a lot, ice my knees, and take turmeric so I can keep running a couple times a week.

Do you love doing homework? What about yardwork? Making dinner? Probably not.

But if you LOVE the results of doing them, you might want to reframe your thoughts and decide you do. It makes these tasks so much lighter.

Yes, you're brainwashing yourself a little bit! But it's for a good cause! :)

As you're looking ahead to the person you want to become in 2026, I want to offer you a challenge.

Everything you want to be more consistent in doing because you love the results so much, just tell yourself you LOVE doing it. What can it hurt?

Just try it out for a week or two. I promise it will change your experience and make showing up for yourself a little bit easier.