Much Ado About To Do's

Imagine walking into a shared living space and seeing dishes piling up in the sink, or laundry scattered across the floor. You might wonder why these things haven’t been taken care of, especially if you’re living with someone who seems otherwise organized. It’s not that I don’t care about cleanliness or that I’m trying to avoid responsibility. The issue lies in how my brain processes these tasks.

There’s a concept I’ve come to understand called autonomous initiative. This is the ability to notice something that needs to be done—like a dirty dish—and just do it. For many people, this comes naturally, but for me, it doesn’t. It’s not that I’m lazy or unmotivated; it’s more like my brain doesn’t automatically connect the dots between seeing the mess and taking action to clean it up.

Here’s how it often plays out: If a chore isn’t part of my established routine, it might as well be invisible. Sure, I see the dirty dishes or the laundry, but it doesn’t always register that I should be the one to take care of it. It sort of just blends into the whole of the environment until someone brings my attention to it which suddenly fine tunes the focus out of portrait mode. It’s not that I’m ignoring it; it’s just that the connection between noticing and doing doesn’t always happen naturally for me. This can make even simple tasks feel like a big deal.

But when chores are part of my routine? That’s when things start to click. Once I’ve got clear instructions and a set pattern to follow, those tasks become manageable. Routine is my safety net—it turns overwhelming chores into something I can handle. The more I repeat the routine, the more it becomes second nature, and I can get things done without feeling stressed or confused.

The problem comes when my routine gets disrupted. If I move to a new place or even just rearrange my living space, it can throw everything off. Suddenly, the tasks that I had under control feel daunting again. The fear of making a mistake or not doing something the “right” way can be paralyzing. When that happens, it’s easier to avoid the task altogether rather than risk getting it wrong.

I’ve had my share of awkward moments while trying to figure out this whole autonomous initiative thing. So, to my past roommates who were patient with my learning curve—thank you. I’m slowly but surely getting better at it, one missed dish and misplaced sock at a time.

Key Takeaways:

1. Autonomous Initiative: The ability to see a task and take action isn’t always automatic, especially when it comes to chores outside of an established routine.

2. Routine as a Lifeline: Incorporating chores into a daily routine helps make them manageable and less overwhelming.

3. Impact of Change: A new environment or disrupted routine can reset progress, making tasks that were once manageable feel daunting again.

4. Importance of Clear Communication: Clear, specific instructions and the use of reminders can bridge the gap between intention and action.