In 2022 I asked Can automation give me more time for fitness?
At the end I promised to update you on if getting a robot vacuum led to more time for fitness.
The results are inconclusive. I do appreciate my little vacuum. I especially appreciate the ability to set Romeo to a task while I’m doing something else.
I’ve gotten even more devices to reliably complete tasks. My aquarium now has an LED light I can program on a schedule. I bought an automatic feeder that reliably dispenses just the right amount of food once a day.
Fish care is now just the tank cleaning and I really enjoy watching the dang fish without worrying if I forgot to feed them, or did I accidentally feed them twice?
My youngest moved out and left their cat behind. The cat is used to many dry food meals. My work and social schedule varies and I struggle with repetitive tasks. Automated food dispenser for the win!
In our living room we have put in smart lights. They brighten in the morning with blue tones to cue us to wake up. As the evening approaches the light shifts to warmer tones. At 9 pm they start to dim. The changing light has helped my sleep hygiene and sticking to a steady bedtime. “Oh it’s getting dark, must be bedtime!”
But what does all of this have to do with feminism and fitness?
Household tasks are often gendered and the bulk of those tasks still fall to women. By automating tasks I have less cognitive load and more choice over when I do housework as the basics are covered by automation.
I don’t have to use up my daily dose of self discipline on feeding the cat. I can apply that to getting out the door for a walk or bike ride.
I can rest when I need to or write quippy blog posts instead of berating myself for not vacuuming while staring at a dusting of dog hair on the floor.
By spending less of my cognition on house hold tasks I have more available for planning my nutrition, hobbies and other activities that replenish me.
So while automations haven’t revolutionized my life, they have certainly made getting tasks done a lot easier.
