4 things you can stop overdoing at home
Nobody noticed when you stopped folding their socks anyway
A lot of us are doing the elaborate version of a task that only needed the basic one.
This is what came back when we asked what you’re overdoing at home.
1. Folding kids’ clothes
They don’t notice.
They never have.
You watched them shove a folded shirt into the drawer with both hands.
The folding was for you.
Bins work. Hanging works. Move on.
2. Matching socks
They came in a 12-pack.
They’re white. They’re the same size.
Throw them in the drawer.
Nobody opens a sock drawer and has a feeling about it.
3. Sorting toys by category
The bin had sections.
Blocks here, cars there, animals in the corner.
By bedtime it was on the floor.
The categories were for you.
One bin. Things go in. Done.
4. Cooking the elaborate meal
The 20-minute version feeds them.
The 90-minute version feeds them.
Same nutrition. Same table. Same finished plates.
The kid still picks the cheese off.
You weren’t doing more for them. You were just doing more.
Every one of these is the same.
The basic version was always enough.
The elaborate one was extra you added.
Nobody was asking for it.
Stop adding it.
What else are you overdoing? Tell us.
I've been making dinner easier for me - protein, veg and carb. Nothing fancy and my family hasn't noticed a difference. Also, grilling when the weather allows - waaay less cleanup.
My kids are old enough to fold their own clothes now. Sometimes they fold ours! I've also been going through my clothing and tapering it down so I don't have so much everywhere. I feel far more sane when I have a bit of what I need rather than a bazillion things I don't need!
Still working on it, but it's already starting to get more manageable.
Another thing (that I personally need to work on): you don't need to keep what people give you, whether they give you hand-me-downs or gifts. If it's not you, donate it elsewhere and move on. You can love the person who gave you a thing and still not need the thing they gave you. If you know they loved it and sacrificed to give it to you (and won't raise a fuss), offer it back to them if you don't need it anymore.