Second Step

My brilliantly hilarious sister coined the term “second step” to refer to people lacking the ability to take the next step when it comes to simple tasks like putting dishes in the dishwasher, closing cabinet doors, putting their shoes away….you get the picture. Us girls have a good laugh when we compare stories about our second step offending husbands and have come to the conclusion that perhaps the real underlying issue is that of the ability, or in this case, inability to multi-task.

I have a huge adrenaline rush on the days when I’m juggling a dozen things at once, yet manage to accomplish everything. I am a great multi-tasker! While I’m waiting for my kids’ waffles to toast, I’ll load the washing machine with laundry, or clean the kitchen counter, or make my bed or straighten up the living room. It’s amazing how much one can accomplish in a short amount of time if you take advantage of the time. This is why I just can’t wrap my head around second step offenders. Is it really that difficult to put your glass in the dishwasher after finishing a drink? At least put it in the sink…but leaving it on the table just boggles my mind. Or how about replacing the toilet paper roll? I must admit that even I get a little laugh at walking in to the bathroom to find a new roll propped up on top of the empty roll. So…..at least the new roll was put in place, but it must have been too much to ask for the empty one to be thrown away. It’s not like the trash can is next to the toilet or anything.

Let me be clear in admitting that as much of a multi-tasker extraordinaire that I am, I am – GASP! - also a second step offender. My husband calls me out on this repeat offense all the time: I leave the clean laundry in the dryer until I need to load it with clothes from the washing machine. I don’t know where I picked this up from, but it doesn’t bother me in the least bit although it does bother my husband.

Maybe second step offenders really can’t help themselves – perhaps they don’t see what they’re doing as annoying or bothersome or lacking common sense. Maybe, just maybe, second step offenders are just preoccupied or multi-tasking in other areas and lose sight of other seemingly obvious things. I’m going to keep telling myself this until I’m convinced. There, I said it.