It is 6:30 PM.
Rohan has just finished a brutal code review. His brain is fried. He closes his laptop, and immediately, the dread sets in. The question that haunts every modern professional:
“What am I going to eat?”
This seems like a trivial question. But let’s break down the Invisible Tax Rohan is about to pay.
The Cycle of Fatigue
- Inventory Scan (5 mins): He checks the fridge. Milk is spoiled. There’s half a capsicum and some questionable batter.
- The Decision Matrix (15 mins): He opens a delivery app. He scrolls. Too expensive. Too unhealthy. Too far. He checks another app.
- The Guilt (Ongoing): He knows he should cook. He wants to be healthy. But the thought of chopping vegetables feels like climbing Everest right now.
- The Surrender (2 mins): He orders the same biryani he had two days ago.
- The Regret (Post-meal): He feels heavy. His wallet is lighter. He promises to “do better tomorrow.”
Rohan just spent 25 minutes of his remaining mental energy on a low-value decision. That was energy he could have used to call his parents, read a book, or work on his side project.
It’s Not Laziness; It’s Exhaustion
For a student in a dorm without a kitchen, this tax is paralyzing. For a young family, it leads to arguments. “You decide.” “No, you decide.”
We treat food logistics as a “chore,” like brushing teeth. But brushing teeth takes 2 minutes. Food takes hours of mental and physical labor every day.
The Manaspurti View: We believe humans shouldn’t pay this tax. The system should pay it for them.
Imagine a world where Rohan finishes work, and a notification simply says: “Your dinner is ready. It’s high-protein, low-carb, just like you asked. It will be at your door in 10 minutes.”
No scrolling. No guilt. No decision.
The Question: If you could reclaim the 1 hour a day you spend worrying about, procuring, and preparing food, what would you do with that extra 365 hours a year?