The White Bathrobe of Disappointment
It’s a sad tale. Something needs to change.
Photo by Daria Nepriakhina on Unsplash
I have a fluffy white bathrobe — worthy of a spa. It’s ultra soft, cozy and comforting. I love it. My dog hates it.
Let me explain. To him, it’s a bright white beacon of bad news — a sign of crushed dreams. In the morning, he can hear me moving around, and he knows I’ll greet him either in walking wear (Oh, happy day!) or the white bathrobe of disappointment.
As soon as he sees me all snug in my lazy a.m. attire, his head drops — and he immediately heads back to his bed. Usually, there’s a dramatic thud and heavy sigh to boot.
It’s a pretty lousy way for both of us to start the day. He’s sad — and I am already not meeting expectations.
Some days it’s a double-whammy of let down. If my hubby was hopeful for his buddy and me — that we’d get our morning walk, because we’re both happier for it, I can see the disappointment in his face too. He tries hard not to judge, and I know he wants the best for us, me and Boomer.
Well, and there’s this … the WBD is not the sexiest look. I said it’s worthy of a spa, but I also said “fluffy.” It leans much more Pillsbury Dough Boy than Victoria Secret Girl.
I have to say, these guys are ruining my favorite bathrobe for me too. I need to face it. It’s like starting the day saying, “I give up.” Not, “Let’s do this!”
Something needs to change.
So what’s a girl to do?
I’ve written about rocking an apron at the end of the day to kick up your productivity … how dressing the part can contribute to our success. Clearly, I need to up my morning game.
PLAN A
Step 1: Reserve the cushy robe for weekend use only. To help force my hand, I am going to hang it in a remote location in my home — out of sight and reach. Sorry, old friend.
Step 2: Lay out comfortable walking or workout clothes the night before. Part of what makes the WBD so alluring (to me anyway) is it’s easy to give into. I struggle getting out of bed, especially in the winter, and it offers a cozy vertical option if I must be up.
Having a quick and good alternative — and not having the lazier option handy — will hopefully do the trick.
I am using strategies that are backed by experts. In his 2018 book, “Atomic Habits,” James Clear shares his laws of behavior change. To create a good habit, the 1st law is to “make it obvious.” That’s my exercise wear. To break a bad habit, he says to invert that law, “make it invisible.” That’s removing my comfort robe. I am on to something, right, James?
PLAN B
Give the robe away. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. In the meantime, can we keep this between us? I am counting on Plan A to work, but I don’t want Boomer to get his hopes up too much.
Baby steps, Boom. Remember, I am only human.
Originally published at www.rockyourchores.com.
