After years of managing everything on her own as a single parent and homeowner, the author felt overwhelmed when she married and moved in with her husband. Initially, she continued handling all household responsibilities, expecting her partner to eventually help. She tried dividing chores with him, but this system didn’t alleviate her burnout and led to resentment. Realizing that the chore-splitting approach wasn’t working, she decided to shift her strategy without discussing it further. Instead, she began to help with chores spontaneously and asked for assistance when needed. This change in approach made her feel more supported and turned their partnership into a true team effort. Her husband also started actively contributing, and their collaborative effort improved their relationship, making formal discussions about chores unnecessary.
