Superheroes are all the rage. Seems like every year there are a couple of new blockbuster movies featuring one superhero or another. Superheroes are especially revered by children and youth. After all, it is pretty fun to watch someone swoop into a crisis, defeat the villain, and save the day. Most of us think of superheroes as fantasy creations, but I see superheroes all the time. Are you a superhero? While you may laugh at the very idea, I bet you are!
On the big screen, superheroes are defined by unique powers, cool costumes, and buff physiques. In real life, superheroes walk around in regular clothes, in normal bodies, performing amazing tasks that nobody seems to notice.
True superheroes don’t need tights or a cape to keep the world from falling apart. More often than not, their power stems from their willingness to show up and do what needs to be done. Â
The way I see it, if you do any of the following, you are a superhero.
Turn off lights
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Replace toilet paper/paper towels/napkins
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Return the grocery cart to the cart collection area
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Refill the soap dispenser
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Make beds
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Lock doors
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Adjust the thermostat
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Carry things upstairs
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Empty the dishwasher
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Pay bills
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Put gasoline in the car (especially at current prices…)
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Throw away cups, wrappers, tags, and other abandoned trash
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Carry items in from the car
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Take the trash out
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Pick up prescriptions
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Water plants
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Replace lids on toothpaste tubes
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Put clothes in the hamper
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Pick up dry cleaning
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Grocery shop
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Cook
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Put things away where they belong
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Replace lightbulbs
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Pick weeds
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Mow the grass
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Make investment decisions
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Pay taxes
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Track and maintain memberships
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Change sheets
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Clean up pet accidents
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Rake leaves
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Shovel snow
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Make sure there are Band-Aidsâ„¢ on hand
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Get the oil changed
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Clean the bathroom
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Change diapers
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Process the mail
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Vacuum
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Wait for the doctor to return a call
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Listen to someone repeat a story
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Set the table
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Maintain vital records
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Fix a flat tire
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Fill out forms (for you, or someone else)
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Earn money
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Care for the sick
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Chauffeur those who can’t drive themselves
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Volunteer
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Run laundry
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Keep insurance up to date
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Nurse a baby
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Schedule activities for others
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Perform a random act of kindness
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Smile
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Just because no one buys tickets to watch you doesn’t mean what you do isn’t amazing. Without someone to do these things, life as we know it would surely be in peril.
Do you have a superhero in your life?
Hi Seana,
I definitely don’t feel like any kind of superhero but meet the requirements based on your definition! Love the positivity of this post 😉
Best,
Jessica
Jessica recently posted…Allbirds Review: The Best Shoes for Travel?
See, you are more powerful than you thought!
Gosh this made me smile! I regularly perform many of the tasks/chores on your list. So, by your definition – I am a superhero! I love the way you highlighted the tasks that go unnoticed. This post will help many people recognize that what they do as a matter of course is worthy of note.
Diane N Quintana recently posted…7 Tips for How to Be a Good House Guest
I think most people ARE superheroes, if they just look at it the right way. Cheers to YOU, Diane!
What a beautiful perspective you offer! Living a life and doing what’s needed, even when we’re tired, frustrated, overworked, and overwhelmed truly is the stuff of superhero status. The list you shared includes the many daily activities of life that as Diane said, “go unnoticed.” But they are the oil that greases the wheels of life. Necessary. Mundane, but essential. Life isn’t always about big gestures, leaping tall buildings, or saving the world. It’s also about small acts of kindness and service that keep our families and communities humming and thriving.
That’s it exactly, Linda. I know many people who think they aren’t being productive when I can list about 30 things they do every day without any notice or credit!
Looks like I am a superhero and so is my husband. This post was a nice reminder that all the small things we do to keep our family running do add up.
Cheers to you superheroes. Time to order your capes and celebrate all that you do!
I love this post! We should always appreciate the people in our lives, including ourselves. Thanks for the reminder. You are a superhero. =)
Sabrina Quairoli recently posted…4 Important Benefits of Living in a Small Home
Thank you, Sabrina. Back at you! Superheroes are all around us. 🙂
I’m laughing as I read this, because I cleaned the top of my refrigerator this weekend, and when I was done, I *felt* like a superhero. (I re-homed some small appliances and dusted, but since it’s WAY over the top of my head, I can to get my step-stool to accomplish it, and my arms still weren’t entirely long enough. While it was a tiny task, overall, I’d been putting it off, so I felt like I deserved a cape!
And yes, I do feel like I deserve an adulting award every time I get my oil changed. Thanks for reminding us!
Julie Bestry recently posted…Toxic Productivity Part 2: How to Change Your Mindset
You are reminding me to remind my daughter on the oil change! I definitely feel your pain about the space over the refrigerator. I wait for my son-in-law to be around and ask him to reach that stuff. It’s true that even on the stool I can’t reach it all LOL!
I think I’m going to buy a cape! 🙂 I Love that I’m a Superhero! Thanks for the smile, Seana!
You deserve one, Janet!
I am SUCH a superhero! And this house needs one.. or six.
Tamara recently posted…How to Choose a Colour Scheme for Your Living Room
You are a superhero, Tamara! Way to go 🙂
Adulting is hard. Well, no individual task is THAT hard, but it all adds up to a big burden unless one maintains one’s sense of humor and self-worth. I love the superhero re-frame, Seana! On a more serious note, it reminds me of Regina Lark’s and Judith Kolberg’s new book “Emotional Labor: Why a Woman’s Work is Never Done and What To Do About It”.
Hazel Thornton recently posted…The Tale of Two Junk Drawers
Reminds me of the emotional labor book as well! I find that there is often one person in a multi=person household who tends to do these things. Of course, those who live alone often do it all, so they are REALLY superheroes!
Based on this, I guess I am a superhero – who knew?
Janet Barclay recently posted…Challenges of the Introverted Blogger
See, you are more impressive than you thought LOL!
Yup a real super hero is the one who change Diapers haha
Agreed!