Uncomplicate life: Get organized so you're never late
Is there ever enough time to get everything done in your day? Even without traveling, commuting, and going out much it feels like there is always something else pulling our attention that seems more important than what we are currently doing. The inability to focus is just one part of the problem. We are ALL juggling more these days and being organized is part of the solution.
One of my pet peeves is being late. ME being late and others. It just seems like in this day of navigation apps and audible reminders it just should not happen but it does. I feel like I am disloyal to my profession if I am late and that just feels so disingenuous.
But let's not tell stories about me. Let me tell you a story about being late to your wedding.
Of not, your own wedding. But your son's wedding. Almost late. Like the last- possible- minute- and- we- are- starting- without- you kind of late.
(yes, I have permission to tell this story)
My sister Laura is just like me in her feelings about being late. She makes plans and lists and is a very thoughtful and considerate person. She is not flighty, scatterbrained, or unfocused.
She would never be late for an event as important as her only son's wedding. But she arrived at 10:59:32 for his 11:00 am wedding service.
Here's what happened:
10:40 My husband and I arrive. We're early but there was no traffic. Socialize with early arrivals.
10:45 Everyone assumes I am Laura and starts telling me what I need to do as Mother of Groom. I remind them that I am not she. Eyes of all wedding participants widen in shock and horror.
10:46 First of 180 inquiries "Where is Laura?"
10:48 Her daughter asks "Where's Mom?"
10:50 Groom asks "Where's Mom? Maybe you should call her."
10:51 I call her. No answer. I naturally assume she and her husband must have careened off the bridge and are currently drowning.
10:52 I call her husband. After 4.5 rings, he answers. He sounds very calm (monotone) and says "We will be there soon."
Soon?! Are you kidding me? People are nervous here!
10:57 Is she here yet?
10:58 When will she be here?
10:59 Um, anyone know where she is?
10:59:32 Car comes screeching in to the parking lot (no exaggeration). Everyone lines up and the wedding nuptials take place.
I wisely decided to wait until after the wedding to ask what happened. 😉
It was a tale of a series of errors that became more comedic as she progressed.
Waited (patiently) for husband to get out of bathroom. Not in a rush here so why make him expedite his routine?
Although the skirt purchased 5 months ago was hanging in the closet the entire time, it still had wrinkles in it. Bad wrinkles.
Steaming didn't get the wrinkles out. Must find iron.
Take out ironing board and iron skirt.
Top purchased to go with said skirt for wedding was suddenly missing.
Must spend time trying on other options to find suitable substitute.
Belt selected specifically for the outfit also missing.
Just writing this makes me feel anxious.
While none of those things by themselves would have caused any problem, it was the compounding of ALL of them that raised pulse rates.
The extra stress that was experienced by so many wedding participants was 100% avoidable. Not to say that mistakes don't happen but all of these could have been avoided with a little advanced organization.
I'm not saying life has to be perfect. In fact, it's the things that go wrong that have made the best and, in this particular case, funniest memories. We are all laughing about this now and I hope you are, too.
If you are ever hesitating to organize that drawer or closet, do it. Make the time and get it done. Or hire someone to do it for you. 🙂
Life is too short to spend any more of it than we have to overwhelmed, stressed, or angry at ourselves for NOT getting things in order.
When you're organized, you're free to experience more of life because your'e not wasting your time looking for the iron or sweater or risking your life to speed to get to the church on time!