Want to feel less stressed out? If you’re a “control” freak, the solution could be as simple as learning to let go.
Real Simple and the Families and Work Institute asked more than 3,000 women between the ages of 25 to 54 about their time and found out that, even when they despise doing certain tasks, they largely refuse to let anyone else lend a hand.
“. . . [T]he list of things women don’t want to delegate to a spouse or partner is longer than I imagined,” wrote Real Simple editor Kristin van Ogtrop, a self-described “control freak.”
She added, “There were some predictable tasks that women do not want to hand over, such as decorating, which will not surprise anyone who has watched a husband follow his wife forlornly through the furniture department at Bloomingdale’s.”
But it doesn’t stop there. Cleaning, the chore which was designated as women’s “most hated task,” was delegated to others less than half the time. Two-thirds said they “would not hire child care, even if they could afford it.”
However the numbers also say that when women actually do delegate, they are happier than those who don’t.
“Am I suggesting that we all relax our standards?” van Ogtrop asked. “Embrace the chaos that ensues when the control freak relaxes his grip and hands off some responsibility, even if the outcome is the wrong head of lettuce or a kid who doesn’t take his muddy shoes off at the door? If it means that we will all be happier, then yes.”
How often do you ask for help or delegate responsibilities?
