Breaking a Promise I Never Should Have Made

So here's this thing that happened recently. I just got divorced after what felt like an eternity of fighting and pain with my ex-wife, and I've been trying to figure out who I am again as a single man in my late forties. After years of marriage where every aspect was shared or negotiated, being alone feels really strange sometimes. A couple weeks ago, something small happened that’s been eating at me ever since. You see, one night after work and before going to bed, my now ex-wife had asked me to do some chores, vacuuming, folding laundry, and I remember rolling my eyes and thinking how annoying it was because everything was so chaotic anyway, what difference would it make? I ended up not doing them. Instead of the vacuum cleaner, there's a pile of clothes on the floor that night. The next day, she was gone, leaving behind more than just those chores. I know these things in and of themselves don't matter much. In the big picture, it’s ridiculous to feel guilty for not doing housework before my marriage ended. But it's the principle of being told something and choosing not to listen. And worse, feeling like I never would've done them anyway no matter what she asked. The thing that's really gotten under my skin is thinking about how I used to see myself as this reliable guy who kept his word, especially when it came to little things around the house or with friends. But now...I don't know if people still think of me like that. I’m trying to move on and figure out what kind of person I want to be going forward, but something tells me that not doing those chores is just one symptom of bigger issues. Anyway, this confession isn’t about sex or anything dirty. It’s more an admission that sometimes the little things can mean a lot, especially when you’re trying to find your footing again after major life changes.