Looks

5 Mundane Tasks That Are Actually Romantic

• August 1, 2019
• by Natasha Burton

Being an adult can feel like hard work. From taking care of yourself and your work responsibilities, to providing for your family and completing all of those lingering to-do list items, there’s little time for spontaneity and romance. But what if we could reframe some of the things we do each day as acts of passion, rather than mundane #adulting tasks? The five so-called chores below are far from romantic—hello, cleaning the toilet is so not sexy!—but they may be more meaningful than you think. Here’s now to reconsider your responsibilities and turn them into loving rituals, if only in your and your partner’s minds.

Filling Up the Car
The idea of being stranded on the side of the road with a broken down car is a little bit scary, to say the least. Being sidelined because you ran out of gas is that…plus a little embarrassing. So, when you take the time to make sure your car is filled to the brim with gas (or fully charged if you’ve gone electric), this is really a gesture of care to ensure that your partner never has to experience that situation. Extra bonus points for checking the tire pressure, filling up the wiper fluid and splurging on a drive-through car wash when your ride needs some extra TLC.

Sure, going out to a romantic restaurant dinner may be fancier and seem more special. But eating a home-cooked meal is not only cozier, it’s better on your wallet—and your waistline. Instead of thinking about having dinner at home as a ho-hum daily task, remember that it’s really a ritual of caring for your partner (and your family), providing nourishment to keep everyone healthy. This routine is a loving task to ensure that you all can enjoy meals together for a long, long time to come.

Cleaning the Toilet
No one wants to clean the toilet. No one. So when you take one for the proverbial team and do the dang task (without being asked!) you’ll score some serious romance points. The same idea works with cleaning hair out of the shower drain, picking up dog poop in the backyard or cleaning the food trap in the dishwasher. All these things need to get done but many of us put them off because, well, they’re super gross. So, when you’re willing to get your hands dirty so your partner doesn’t have to, well, that’s love.

Taking the Dog Out
It’s safe to say that getting woken up in the middle of the night, even by the cutest of creatures, just plain sucks. But when you’re the one who deals with your fur baby when nature calls—or with your actual baby when it’s feeding time (or screaming time)—you’re not just adulting, you’re giving your partner the best gift of all…precious, precious sleep. Relish this the next time you’re bleary eyed, trying to get the dog’s leash secured or make a bottle. Most likely, your partner will return the favor by taking care of the household when morning comes so you can log an extra hour, or two, of shut-eye.

Preparing for the Future
One of the major marks of being an adult is learning how to be smart with your money habits and making investments so you can plan ahead for the years to come. So, when you or your partner are toiling away trying to understand the nitty-gritty of your retirement plan terms, or working on an epic budget spreadsheet so you can stretch your dollar further, you’re actually securing your joint future. Making sure you’re taken care of financially is an act of devotion that shows you’re really in this thing for the long haul.

For more ways to keep the romance alive in your relationship, discover Cute Ways to KIT During the Work Day.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Natasha Burton

Relationship expert Natasha Burton is the author of four books: 101 Quizzes for Brides & Grooms, 101 Quizzes for Couples, 101 Quizzes for BFFs, and The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags. When she's not writing, she's likely doing yoga, baking, or watching The Bachelor.

Latest posts by Natasha Burton (see all)

• A 2020 Couples’ Guide To Summer Romance - July 8, 2020
• How To Celebrate A Socially Distant Anniversary - May 28, 2020
• Ideas For Wedding Planning During Quarantine - May 13, 2020