The sink is no ‘shrink’, I tell you!

Whoever claimed washing stacks of dirty dishes is meditative, calming the mind and aiding relaxation, seems to be living in a different soap opera.

The ones that advocate such existential logic might cite studies and research that demonstrate therapeutic effects of mindful washing on stress relief. But my question here is this: can dishwashing be prescribed as a therapy to someone who is stressed at work, is emotionally upset, or simply overworked?

Presuming that the stress relief, supposedly linked to washing dishes, hinges solely on manual scrubbing, rather than the act of loading a dishwasher, then the logic fails to entice me. 

If anything, it – washing dishes – feels more stressful than the cooking chore. The pile of unwashed dishes is a scourge – literally and figuratively. 

Personally, I would prefer my quota of mindfulness from a nature walk than from a dishwashing session. Unless, of course, the act of washing stacks of dirty dishes in the sink is a weekly or a monthly ritual, just like a therapeutic session with a counsellor would be.

Over the years, I have identified a distinct pattern in the dishwashing arena. It is more like a formula, one that keeps validating my belief that a single unwashed spoon or whatnot in the sink can attract a pile in no time.  This explains my compulsive behavior to clear the sink the minute a stray plate or spoon finds its way in; it is a tried-and-tested method to detract the lone unwashed item from begging for company.

A literal soap opera, that…

Until I attain therapeutic nirvana from dishwashing, I will continue my tirade against dishwashing that follows cooking and even eating.