On Letting It Soak

I’ve written quite a few words on my love/hate relationship with procrastination. I’ve opined many a times on my general levels of laziness. I’ve wrestled with the inner battle of actually getting myself up off the couch and doing those chores I’ve been putting off for the last few hours (days [weeks? {months?!}]) And, while all chores kinda suck, there’s a certain hierarchy within the world of chores that contributes to how long I can justify putting them off (I mean come on, I’d put off cleaning the bathroom forever if I could). Sweeping the floors is in the middle, cleaning the bathroom is clearly at the bottom, but for me, right at the tippy top, is doing the dishes for one very specific reason: letting it soak.

Having a roommate, or a significant other that you live with, or just doing your best to masquerade as a grownup means you can’t just leave your living space a filthy pigsty all the time…only some of the time. And here is where we enter the crux of my argument: most chores require you to actually do something and usually that something takes time. When you do the dishes, however, you have the option of letting them soak. What other chore lets you get right back on the couch and when your s.o. or roommate or conscience asks you “weren’t you supposed to be cleaning” you can truthfully respond with a big ole shit eating grin, “I’m letting it soak!”

The idea of passivity winning out over activity is incredibly appealing. I mean have you ever tried to scrub a pot right after you’ve made a big beautiful soup dinner? It’s impossible, all those lil veggie chunks cling to that cookware with all their might. But, let it soak for a while and bingo that scrubbing is as easy as pie. And don’t even get me starting on letting the dishes soak after you bake a pie.

The thing about letting it soak is that it doesn’t just work on dishes! Next time you’ve got a really tough decision on your plate and you just can’t figure out what the right answer is…just let your brain soak! Get yourself into the bathtub or if you’re lucky enough, find someone with a hot tub and commandeer it because a good soak will have you sorted out in no time.

This strategy is dangerously powerful, capable of solving almost any problem you may be faced with. So, the next time you’re in trouble, listen to me: let it soak! Clean laundry sitting in the basket waiting to be folded? Just letting it soak. Extremely full trash bags hanging out by the front door waiting to be taken out: I’m letting those babies soak! IRS agents banging on the door demanding that I pay my taxes? Sorry Uncle Sam, I think those W-2s need just a little bit more time to soak before they’re done.

So, what’s your favorite thing to let soak?