I use my dishwasher frequently and am somewhat disappointed when something isn’t dishwasher safe which kind of seems like a rarity these days. When I registered for china when I was getting married one of the things that sold me on my pattern was that yes, it was dishwasher safe.

Now, there is always that one pan that needs a little extra attention that doesn’t make the cut. This particular pan may sit in my sink for (yikes) 2 to 3 business days before I decide to wash it or more times than not, put it in the dishwasher. Recently, I saw something on Facebook about the husband or wife being upset about that particular pan or dish that soaks longer than the rest. If you are reading this, I imagine you have a dish or pan that comes to mind. If I am being honest, it’s any dish that needs extra attention at the moment at my house.

For me, there’s a kind of freedom in relinquishing a dish or pan to the sink to be soaked and not cleaning it immediately. It’s almost a declaration of “yes, I do not have to do this today” kind of mindset. Most of us now work, clean, and raise kids while trying to find a moment to sit and scroll on our phones, binge a series on your streaming service of choice, or just sit. The aforementioned dish releases you from imaginary chains that binds us to housework. We think if only I didn’t have x, y, or z to do today, I could do something I want to do for a change.

Friends, I am here to tell you that you don’t have to do housework every weekend or every day for that matter. I’m not advocating for a dirty home or your home to wind up on hoarders. What I am advocating for is self -care- finding time for you to do something for you. You can’t be the super woman that I know you are sitting on E! Yikes, doing what you want to do comes with a level of guilt- especially for working moms that feel like they don’t spend enough time already with their children. Am I good at this? Not really but I’ve gotten better. It’s only taken me almost 13 years in my marriage, two kids, and a health scare to figure it out.

I spoke with someone on Zoom the other day that I work with through my hospital’s connection to UAB and she said something that inspired me. It was her birthday and she told me she was dedicated this next year of her life to saying yes to things she wanted to do. It is her year of “yes”. I love that concept. What can we do to say yes more to things we love than being determined to have the clean house of the year?

Here’s a start- forget about the dish. Let it soak. Go do what you want to do!

Here it is! Currently, soaking and me not caring!