The Thing About Vacuuming

People were coming over. People were coming over so the night before I pulled the vacuum from its home in my closet to the middle of the family room, a reminder for six am eyes that I meant business. Coming off the Christmas holidays, this feels like a sad adult version of leaving cookies out for Santa. 

But of course, there are many things I find more interesting than vacuuming. The next morning, I wanted to relax and unwind. And, as an “upstairs neighbor” who aspires to be “good,” I found myself pushing off the task. “It’s too early!” I told myself despite hearing the dogs in the units below me coming and going with their humans. The stare off intensified. Everything I wanted to be doing. A purple vacuum cleaner in the middle of the room.

Finally, I untangled the cord. It wouldn’t be a thorough sweep, but I’d at least hit the rugs. 

But the thing about vacuuming is it always becomes a little more. It isn’t supposed to be a big thing but before you know it you’re moving the coffee table and plugging in attachments to hit every kitchen crevice.

I meant to lazy vacuum. I meant to buddy up with bare minimum. 

But the thing about starting is once you’ve done it, it’s a little easier to keep doing it. 

A little bit always turns into more than you expect. And more than you expect is action. 

And the thing about action is it makes a difference. 

So what are you putting in the middle of your family room tonight? What are you going to begin?