There's lots of joy to be found in being a chef, but in my opinion, dishes is not one of them! I can wipe counters and sweep and put ingredients away- but dishes is just not my favorite thing to do. I would probably bake muffins and cookies and elaborate dinners much more often if I didn't have to do dishes afterward!

With all that said, dishes don't have to be a miserable experience. While it may not be the most joyous of chores, you can definitely make the experience as pleasant as possible!

*A mini fan. One reason I'm not a fan of dishes (especially in the summer) is because it gets so crazy hot! A little oscillating fan could do wonders to alleviate this discomfort.

*A comfortable rug. Standing for a long period of time can be hard on your back, your heels, your hips- but investing in a cushioned rug to stand on can be a life-saver! Dishes aren't so bad when you're not in excruciating pain the whole time!

*Music. I think music just makes just about everything better. If you have to stand in one spot for a prolonged time anyway, may as well invest in some great speakers or an under-the-cabinet radio/CD player and listen to your favorite tunes!

Audiobook. If listening to music isn't really your thing, try an audiobook! If you're listening to a book that you really get into, you'll be wishing you had more dishes to do just so you can keep listening!

*Podcasts. Another great way to distract yourself. There are so many options out there- you're bound to find something you like!

*Have the right tools. Sometimes just having the right tool can make a difference! Invest in a good scrub brush and/or pan scraper to help you get those tough crusty foods and make the dishes process much quicker and easier!

*Do it with someone! Work is so much lighter with more hands- and more fun too! Spend some quality time talking to your spouse as you work together on dishes, or spend time with your children telling them stories from your childhood or talking about their day! You can get work done and spend time bonding!

*Flowers. I love having flowers in my kitchen. It makes everything brighter and more homey. Have some flowers tastefully placed around the kitchen sink to give yourself something beautiful to look at while you clean up dinner.

*Be smart when buying a home. This is obviously not something we can do all the time, but when you are in the market for a new home or even looking for a new apartment, be very picky about the placement of your kitchen sink! Do you want to stare at a blank wall or out a window? And what's the view out the window? If you have to settle for a blank wall, make it yours! Hang up your favorite painting or quote- something that uplifts and inspires you to give you a little boost of happiness! Make your view a pleasant one!

*Bask in the glow. When the dishes are done, take a minute to enjoy your clean kitchen! Look around, take a deep breath, and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from hard work and a clean home!

What do you do to make dishes a little more pleasant? I'd love to get more ideas!