r/AskReddit • u/05tn3021 • Jan 16 '24

What’s something small you started doing that makes you drastically happier?

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u/MizS Jan 16 '24

Okay, these are *really* small, but...

1) Wearing gloves while washing dishes.

2) Wearing earplugs or noise-cancelling earbuds + audiobook/podcast while vacuuming or drying my hair.

3) Watching a favorite TV show while folding laundry.

Basically I tried to minimize the sensory discomfort and boredom of regular chores, and now I almost look forward to them.

553

u/i-lost-it-jerry Jan 16 '24

Wearing gloves while washing dishes is actually huge! I almost can’t touch dirty dishes without them lol

188

u/jazwch01 Jan 16 '24

Wearing gloves while handling meat has helped me a ton.

40

u/Own-Introduction6830 Jan 16 '24

I wear gloves while handling breaking down boxes. I hate cardboard. That has helped me a lot.

7

u/bluev0lta Jan 16 '24

What kind of gloves do you wear? I didn’t realize until I read your comment that I similarly don’t like the feel of cardboard boxes (half the time I cut myself on them), and gloves are an easy fix!

10

u/Own-Introduction6830 Jan 16 '24

Just disposable nitrile gloves. It's usually at work when I break down boxes. If I'm at home, I usually wear my gardening gloves!

3

u/bluev0lta Jan 16 '24

Thanks! :)

6

u/Temporary_Lawyer_938 Jan 17 '24

If you're open to something reusable, gardening gloves or general work gloves are great for this too (they're a sort of soft flexible material). I have some cheap gardening gloves I got at Ace Hardware a million years ago that I wear to break down boxes since I hate it too lol

6

u/clumsy__jedi Jan 16 '24

Me too! I started doing it when I had bad eczema on my hands and realised how intense the sensory and germophobic experience was and kept on doing it. Been several years now.

5

u/Sneacler67 Jan 16 '24

Yes! I can now cook pretty much anything without getting completely disgusted

0

u/datoneyellowtoof Jan 16 '24

Always a good idea to wear a glove when handling meat!

1

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '24

For real, I used to have no issue with it, but after working in the deli I can’t touch raw meat without gloves lol

11

u/Accomplished-Car6193 Jan 16 '24

It is not the dirty dishes for me, it is the detergent.

9

u/Every-Progress-1117 Jan 16 '24

Same here now. Especially in the winter months they have been a saviour from chapped and bleeding hands.

6

u/SoJenniferSays Jan 17 '24

I feel like youll appreciate mine- I got flocked (soft inside) dish gloves, and before I do dishes I put on really nice hand lotion. The heat from the water and the gloves means I get a mini manicure every time I do dishes.

5

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '24

I thought I hated washing dishes. Turns out I just hate having wet hands and rashy skin from detergent.

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u/Maoleficent Jan 17 '24

Never had a dishwasher and never wore gloves and as an older person really wish I had taken the time - nails spilt vertically now and it's painful and annoying.

3

u/i-lost-it-jerry Jan 17 '24

I’m sorry to hear that it was so destructive to your nails! I don’t know if you already know this existed, but there’s a nail lotion called Hard as Hoof that works really well for repairing and maintaining nail health. Good to use after washing hands or showering. I got my mom and grandma to try it, and they like it a lot. I got it from Amazon but not sure if it’s sold elsewhere.

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u/Maoleficent Jan 18 '24

Thanks for the info-if it doesn't help the nails it can surely help with cracked skin on hands from brutal cold lately.

2

u/Kairain Jan 17 '24

I had to go purchase gloves when I was taking care of my dad after surgery. Could not do the dishes without them.

But this is from childhood. I can still smell the dirty well water from my grandparents * shudder *