You weren’t doing it but now you definitely are.
Someone says, “Hey, can you take the trash out?” And you instantly reply, “I was literally just about to.” Were you? No. But now you are. Because now it looks like you were. The great domestic cover-up begins laundry suddenly folded, dishwasher being loaded with urgency, emails answered with loud keyboard taps. You’re not lying. You’re… alignment improvising.
At Home With Parents – Classic teenage defense move.
With a Partner – You both know what this is.
In a Shared Apartment – Roommate points hit different.
At Work – Boss asked, and the tab was already open (now).
During a Zoom Call – “Just logging in now!”
Living Room – Tallahassee, FL: (domestic comedy/micro-deception)
Overview: Feet up, snack in hand. Suddenly you’re upright.
Landmarks: TV remote toss, blanket flip, light jog to kitchen.
Tips: Walk fast and talk while moving—it sells it.
Office Breakroom – Santa Clara, CA
Overview: You were “totally on your way” to refill the toner.
Landmarks: Microwave beeps, fridge notes, passive-aggressive energy.
Tips: Add a quick sigh. Bonus authenticity.
Shared Dorm Kitchen – Boston, MA
Overview: The dishes are stacked, the guilt is loud.
Landmarks: Crusty bowl, half-used sponge, group text threat.
Tips: Hum a task-related song. Looks purposeful.
Kitchen Chore Rotation (You *meant* to wipe the counters)
Trash Night (You heard the truck and sprinted)
After Dinner (Plates still on table, excuses loading)
Morning Routine (Toothpaste cap still off, urgency feigned)
Laundry Day (You forgot. The buzzer reminded both of you.)
Work Chat Notification (Task pinged at the worst time)
Group Project (You saw the doc. Just now.)
Family Reunion Cleanup (Paper plates flying. So are fibs.)
Apartment Deep Clean (Spotify on = motivation proof)
Post-It Notes Everywhere (But still unread)
Grocery List Check (Forgot half. “I was gonna go later!”)
Lawn Mowing Saturday (Neighbor’s mower reminded you)
Class Assignment Reminder (Google Classroom betrayed you)
Taking the Dog Out (Dog looked at you like “really?”)
Trash Overflowing (You tried to balance one more plate)
Empty Toilet Paper Roll (You blamed it on last use)
Birthday Gift Purchase (Amazon tab suddenly opened)
Apartment Inspection Day (You cleaned in hyperdrive)
Utility Bill Reminder (You clicked “pay” like you remembered)
Answering a Text (Mid-reply: “I was just about to!”)
Watering the Plants (Dead leaves don’t lie)
Forgot the Anniversary (Flowers were *en route*)
Checking the Oven (You *knew* it beeped)
Getting Ready to Leave (Still in socks: “I'm walking out now!”)
Returning a Call (They called first, but you *totally* were going to)
Harmless fibs, timing collisions, performative productivity.
1. TikTok: #IWasJustAboutTo Challenge
2. Reddit: r/mildlyinfuriating + r/relatableducks
3. Spotify: “I Swear I Was About To” playlist
4. YouTube: Sketches: “Caught Before You Did It”
5. Etsy: “I Was Literally Just About To” T-Shirt
6. Calm App: “Small Guilt, Big Recovery”
7. Amazon: Smart home reminders you now appreciate
8. Instagram Reels: “POV: You’re Asked Right Before You Did It”
9. Canva: You made a printable task chart you never filled
10. Twitter: You posted “She asked me right as I stood up 😭”
1. Couch — Laid out, but “just resting before cleaning”
2. Desk — Tabs open, none relevant until now
3. Kitchen — Sink full, sponge lifted only after prompt
4. Bedroom — Blanket burrito to busy bee in 2.3 seconds
5. Car — Not even started, but “on my way!” text sent
6. Porch — Taking a breath. Then guilt.
7. Bathroom — Toothbrush barely wet. “Just brushed!”
8. Closet — You were *about* to donate that pile.
9. Garage — Light turned on mid-conversation.
10. Phone App Switch — You opened the reminder *as* they asked.
• Quick Reflex — You jumped up like it was a drill.:
• Believable Tone — Shocked they even asked.:
• Prop — Sponge, trash bag, tab open.:
• Subtle Sigh — “Was literally just about to…”:
• Mental Note — Do it *before* next time.:
• Low Stakes — It’s not lying if you do it now.:
• Exit Motion — Always be walking.:
• Self-Awareness — You know what this is.:
• Mutual Understanding — They’ve done it too.:
• Humor — You’re both in on the bit.:
Spotify “Right About Now” Productivity Mix
TikTok “Caught in the Act of Not Doing It” Trend
Etsy T-Shirt: “I Swear I Was About To”
Calm App “Micro-Motivation Meditation”
Amazon Smart Home Chore Timer
Light Guilt — But it fades
Social Memory — They’ll remember the pause before you stood
Repetition — You’ll get called out next time
Overcompensating — You now do the *most*
Family Eye Roll — They knew all along
Start Sooner — But maybe still wait
Set Your Own Alarm — Beat the question
Own It — “You got me.” Builds trust
Team Up — “Let’s do it together” buys time
Use Humor — Best way out
“I’m literally on it right now!” — High commitment tone
“Wow, psychic timing!” — Play the comedy card
“I had just started!” — Mid-action exaggeration
“I swear I wasn’t ignoring it!” — Soft defense
Actually Do It — Win redeemed
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Common Phrases:
“I was just about to!”
“Literally had it on my list.”
“I swear I just stood up to do that.”