History Main / CatharticChores

* In ''Fanfic/WhatYouKneadNaruto'', Kakashi [[ForWantOfANail takes up baking as a hobby]] after discovering that he doesn't have a natural knack for it... and that it ''doesn't matter'' if he makes something less than perfect, as [[MistakesAreNotTheEndOfTheWorld a screwed-up loaf of bread]] isn't on the same scale as screwing up during a mission.

-->'''Sophia''': Dorothy, I'm feeling anxious. And when I feel anxious, there's only one thing that calms me down.
-->'''Dorothy''': I know, Ma--cooking a big meal.
-->'''Sophia''': [[BaitAndSwitch No, making hot naked love in a closet.]] But hey, you do what you can.

When angered, the characters receive an energy boost and they might finish their chores quite soon. Sometimes however if they are absolutely furious, they might be so vigorous in their effort that they happen to smash the things they are supposed to clean or organize. For example, if they start putting stuff in the dishwasher, they must be careful not to slam cups, glasses, or plates too hard because these might break easily. If they are stressed and suffer from anxiety, routine and repetitive movements can offer some relief and help a great deal.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheClevelandShow'', it's revealed that the reason Cleveland Jr. is [[SuperOCD so obsessed with cleanliness]] is that it's his way of taking his mind off his parents' divorce [[spoiler:and later, his mother's death]].

When angered, the characters receive an energy boost and they might finish their chores quite soon. Sometimes however if they are absolutely furious, they might be so vigorous in their effort that they happen to smash the things they are supposed to clean or organize. For example, if they start putting stuff in the dishwasher, they must be careful not to slam cups, glasses or plates too hard because these might break easily. If they are stressed and suffer from anxiety, routine and repetitive movements can offer some relief and help a great deal.

In the best circumstances, cleaning, organising and finishing their chores help the stressed characters. Their anger or stress level gradually diminishes or disappears entirely. Best case scenario: they're so satisfied with the clean kitchen or yard work done that they don't remember what angered or stressed them in the first place. The fact that their chores are done might help to calm them down and make them actually feel better. However, if the cause of their problems is still on, they might get angry or anxious again pretty soon.

** In ''Literature/MenAtArms'', when Carrot thinks [[spoiler:Angua is dead]], he writes his report, sweeps the Watchhouse floor, and polishes his armour even more meticuously than usual. The narration says that this would seem very strange to a dwarf or a troll, or anyone who doesn't know how the human mind reacts to stress.

* ''Series/DrQuinnMedicineWoman'': After witnessing a massacre of Native Americans near the Washita River, Dr. Mike develops a post-traumatic stress disorder. She can't sleep and she keeps scrubbing the floors in her clinic at night. And she doesn't seem to care she's hurting her fingers and hands while doing so.

* In the ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle'' episode "Boys At Ranch", Hal, Reese, and Dewey visit the ranch that Francis works at. When Dewey breaks a display doll, Gretchen tells him that he can "work off" his guilt by cleaning part of the hotel; for the rest of the episode, he keeps remembering other bad things he did and keeps cleaning.

* British series ''Next of Kin'', when Maggie Prentice is attempting to quell her bitter granddaughter Georgia's depression, she offers a tactic her grandfather offered up in her youth..."have a good wash and polish your shoes". She mentions it works; she had the shiniest shoes in the whole family. The episode is unique in that its the first occasion normally emotionless Georgia hugs Maggie.

* In one arc of ''Webcomic/LifeOfMaid'', after Sakuya and Youmu called to a maid convention and Meiling, Yuyuko, Patchy and Flandre raise complete hell in the Scarlet Devil Mansion before Remilia, the head of the household, comes back and sees the utter mess everyone has made. She ''snaps'', just before ''rage cleaning'' the entire mansion, completely exhausting herself in the process. By the time Sakuya and Youmu come back, not only is the place spotless, but Remilia has enlisted everyone else as maids.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheClevelandShow'', it's revealed that the reason Cleveland Jr. is [[SuperOCD so obsessed with cleanliness]] is because it's his way of taking his mind off his parents' divorce [[spoiler:and later, his mother's death]].

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