You slowly open the bathroom closet door, fearing the worst. You peek through eyes that you hadn’t realized were even closed.
And there it is. You can’t escape it anymore.
And you really need a clean pair of underwear.
So with a grumbling sigh, you resign yourself to the task at hand. Picking up the overflowing basket of clothes, you moan about how far away the laundry room is. Of course, it’s not really that far. Under the weight of this two-hour chore, though, your feet seem to drag with each step. A shirt falls onto the floor as you walk, but you leave it there. You’ll return for it. Maybe.
Finally, after what seems like an eternity, you arrive at the laundry room. Fumbling with the doorknob, another article of clothing falls. Actually, several do. Their future is brighter than the rogue shirt, though, as they are only a mere couple feet away from your destination. You could easily bend down and pick them up.
You enter the laundry room, and approach one of the monster machines. It’s eerily silent, forever waiting for your touch to make it work. You set down the basket before opening the top lid. Inside is almost like a black hole – it’s dark, vast, and socks disappear in it. Nevertheless, you raise the laundry basket back up, and tip it over. Out pour your clothes – that’s what happened to your favorite dress – and you watch them tumble into the machine.
Next comes the stuffing. The pushing, jabbing, begging, crying. Why won’t they all just fit? Although it only takes a few seconds, it feels like minutes. Oh god, minutes! That’s far too long for your tiny attention span. But then you break through the boundary, and your clothes magically fall into place.
You begin to smile. The hard part is over. All that’s left is to pour a bit of soap into the machine. Watching the liquid soap pour onto your clothes has a bit of an unexplainable thrill. Once that is finished, you close the lid. Set the timer. Press go.
You breathe a sigh of relief. You’ve survived.
And you now have a blissful 40 minutes left until the buzzer screams at you to finish your chore. Thinking of the switchover from the washing machine to the dryer is daunting, but you push the thought out of your mind. Now is the time for rest and relaxation. You head out of the laundry room, pick up the remote, and return to your seat on the couch.
It's over. For now.
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Everyone has insecurities, that's just a fact. You didn't ask to be born this way. You didn't ask to inherit the one trait no one else in your family has. And you definitely didn't ask to be this ghostly white. But as soon as you've learned to live with it for a while (less wrinkles later on in life, right? right???) someone has to ruin it for you. They have to flaunt they're perfectly tanned body from Spring Break and hold their sun-kissed skin against yours. But I've had enough... here are the things that perpetually pale individuals are tired of hearing.
1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!
I get it, my shining pale face among this sea of caramel-toned goddesses is easy to pick out. Thanks for boosting my self esteem.
2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.
Yes, lights on or lights off, you still can't lose me.
3. Can't you just get fake tan?
White+orange= orange. I'm going to let you think that one through.
4. Do you tan or just burn?
By the looks of my lobster-red tan lines after being in the sun for fifteen minutes, I'd say the latter.
5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!
Thanks for transferring all my insecurities to my children. I'm crossing my fingers and toes they won't inherit this trait... for their sake.
6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!
Congratulations!
7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!
Don't turn me against my own kind.
8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!
Must be nice to lay out without having to hide under a towel.
9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.
I'm just reapplying my SPF 5000 every twenty minutes because it's fun for me.
10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??
Yes, because I wanted my nose to disappear in this photo.
11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!
The blood rushes to your face too, ya know. My skin just does a worse job of hiding it...
12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!
Can't a girl wear white or pale pink or light yellow without being ridiculed?!
13. You need to get some sun.
Don't tell me how to live my life.
14. Aren't you excited for summer?
No. Because everyone is the same color as I am in the winter.
But hey, enjoy your tan lines and perfect selfies while you can. Because I'll be laughing when you look like leather and my porcelain skin keeps on keeping on.
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Being a music major is not all kicks and giggles. In fact, there are days when I question my sanity and doubt myself as a musician. I know I am not the only one going through the struggle, and so here are 13 GIFs that I know my fellow music majors can relate to...
1. Child prodigies:
No 9-year-old should be that talented.
2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:
The worst is when you're assigned the same piece. Like why.
3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:
"It gets easier to perform the more you do it." LIES.
4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:
Chances are, those classes require the most practice/rehearsal/homework. And you don't even get credit for all of your hard work.
5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:
It's much harder to appreciate Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 5 in C Minor when all you can think of is all the homework sitting on your desk at home and the inevitable all-nighter in your near future.
6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:
"I may have rocked that melisma on the second page, but the Eb in the third bar was really flat."
7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:
Imagine America's Got Talent every semester...for a grade...yeah, Simon Cowell's nothing compared to juries.
8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:
I thought we were supposed to look nice?
9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:
Is it too hard to ask for some peace and quiet around here?!
10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:
'Popera' is not opera. Educate yourself, hon.
11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.
Actually, it's more like finals month. And not only do we have exams, but we also have countless performances to prepare for. And juries. And essays.
12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:
I haven't slept in 6 days, my recital is next week, and I haven't even started researching for the essay on Stravinsky that's due in 2 weeks, but I'm fine.
13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:
You're a musician for life. So go out there and kick booty.
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Lifestyle
8 Stereotypes Sorority Girls Are Tired Of Hearing
We don't buy into these... just like how we don't buy our friends.
21h
509
Verge Campus
Being a part of any organization undoubtedly comes with the pitfalls of being grouped into negative stereotypes, and sororities are certainly no exception. Here are the top few things, that I find at least, are some of the most irritating misconceptions that find their way into numerous conversations...
8. "The whole philanthropy thing isn't real, right?"
Well all those fundraisers and marketing should would be a waste then wouldn't they?
7. "I don't need to buy my friends."
I'm not quite sure where the "buy your friends" stigma originated, considering that every single club on a college campus also has dues to be paid...
6. "Oh, so I'll bet you love to drink."
The plus side of having a large chapter is that there truly is every type of person, some who drink, and others who don't...
5. "Can you tell me some of your secrets?"
Not really how this works, sorry...
4. "What do you do at your meetings?"
You can join one and find out for yourself?
3. "Do you guys haze really badly?"
There are laws against that actually, check it.
2. "Is it just like in the movies?"
Is ANYTHING just like how it is in Hollywood?
1. "Sororities are so basic."
Sororities actually have their origin amongst the first women to attend universities who came together for comradeship in what was at the time at man's world...but I mean...to each his own opinion I suppose?
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Lifestyle
11 Things Summer Nannies Can Relate To
There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.
23h
1603
As a college student, being a nanny over the summer is both enjoyable and challenging. Underneath the seemingly perfect trips to the pool or countless hours spent playing Monopoly are the obstacles that only nannies will understand. Trading in your valuable summer vacation in return for three months spent with a few children less than half your age may seem unappealing, but so many moments make it rewarding. For my fellow summer nannies out there, I know you can relate.
1. You get excited when the parents purchase season passes to the pool.
If the kids get a pool pass, so do you. It's not exactly a leisurely swim when you have to keep an eye on the kids, but it's a good opportunity to work on your tan and get out of the house. Plus, a day at the pool tires out the kids.
2. You've become friends with the stay-at-home moms in town.
You may just be the nanny, but that doesn't stop the other moms from wanting to include you in their gossip sessions or carpool rotations.
3. You get a chance to eat "kid foods" again.
Dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets, character mac & cheese, you name it.
4. You've traded in your cute purse for a large tote bag.
The only type of bag that can hold a plethora of snacks, sand toys, and extra clothes for the kids to change into after they swim.
5. You have at least one car seat in your backseat.
You've been given the extra booster seat for running errands with the kids during the week. Next thing you know, it's Saturday night and your friends are laughing over the crammed backseat, car seat and all.
6. Their nap time is your happy time.
If you can somehow manage to get all the kids napping at the same time, major props to you. Now you can enjoy a few hours to yourself (or maybe even take a nap of your own!).
7. Lunch time can be a disaster.
Fed Up GIFfrom Angry GIFs
When they can't agree on a meal or when you don't make it exactly like their mom does...
8. You have to play the same board games repeatedly.
"Sure, we can play Monopoly again for the hundredth time in a row," said no sane person ever.9. You catch yourself using the same lines your parents once told you.
When you ask them to clean their room and they ask "why?!" you can finally reply with "because I said so," just like your mom would say to you.
10. Your "mom-mode" kicks in at times.
Forcing the kids to wear sunscreen while they play outside is such a motherly thing to do, and you love it.
11. Your heart melts a little when they do something cute.
Touched GIFfrom Aww GIFs
And then you're reminded why you have the best summer job in the world and wouldn't trade it for anything.
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Lifestyle
11 Struggles Of Having An “Ethnic” Name
You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it
23h
1065
thoughtcatalog.com
There are a lot of really easy, common names in the U.S. and while many of those simple names have different spellings, most of the time, pronunciation is not an issue that those people need to worry about. However, others are not as fortunate and often times give up on corrections after a while. We usually give an A+ for effort. So, as you could probably imagine, there are a few struggles with having a name that isn’t technically English. Here are just a few…
1. You know you are up next when the teacher pauses while taking attendance
Chances are you are the only one with your name in your class so you know when your name is up next when there’s a sudden pause followed by an uneasy look by the teacher or substitute.
2. When “I’m going to do my very best to make sure I know all your names” is said, it may or may be an empty promise
It may be possible for people with more common names but yours might take a bit longer and require a bit more effort.
3. “Wow! That sounds so cool! Where is your family from?”
Great… your name never fails to be a conversation starter… except it’s the same kind of conversation that ensues.
4. You dread when people ask you to repeat your name over and over because it “sounds so cool when you say it”
You’re flattered that people like your name so much but it gets a little annoying after repeatedly saying it 500 times.
5. There’s a 50/50 chance that your name will come back either correct or incorrect at Starbucks
Sometimes the baristas will ask you how to spell your name while taking your order (meaning your name will at least be spelled right), but sometimes that’s not done and your name is spelled and said completely different. Let’s just say, you have many Starbucks personas.
6. People try to find shorter, easier nicknames for you instead of calling you by your actual name
The nicknames are either actual shortened versions or just words that sound like your name (usually said in a teasing manner), you’re used to it though…
7. When someone famous or fictional character shares your name, you get so happy
Your first reaction is one of sudden happiness that your name is shared by someone whether real or fictional and you instantly connect.
8. “What’s your name?” “It’s [name]” “I’m sorry, what was it again?”
Typical situation… and most of the time, the other person asking you to repeat yourself can hear just fine so it's not that you're loud enough.
9. You’ve pretty much seen every misspelling and heard every mispronunciation of your name throughout your life
Trust us, we’ve heard it all. We’ve seen our name twisted in the most outrageous ways. We’ve given up trying to instill the correction anymore.
10. When you find another person with an “ethnic” sounding name, you both get excited
Yup GIFfrom Happy GIFs
It’s almost like an instant connection to the person especially when you both can say each other’s names correctly in one try.
11. Despite the struggles, your name is pretty unique… just like you
Like I said, you are probably the only one with your name in the group or groups that you hang out with so rock it!
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