Fortunately, much of my work can be done in comfy sweats and a stained t-shirt. But occasionally I have a client meeting to attend and my “mommy” wardrobe has to take a backseat. The problem is that everything I own is pretty much “mommy” wardrobe material. I didn’t anticipate the beating my clothing would take during parenthood. The frequent washing alone is enough to leave my undies threadbare and my sweaters unraveling. But regardless of my pitiful selection, I had to unearth something to wear for a client meeting today.
I was rather proud that my only pair of black slacks was actually washed and hanging up in the closet. Sure, they were wrinkled (who has time to iron??), but perhaps they would smooth out in the car. I even found a sweater that matched (and disguised the extra “padding” I was blessed with during pregnancy). Slip on some dress boots, toss my hair into a clip, a quick brush of mascara and I was semi-professional looking. (Heck, I was just thrilled to wear something that matched!)
After a quick stop to drop off baby girl at Grandma’s, and prep some materials for my meeting, I was set. I loaded up my laptop, donned my drool-encrusted sunglasses, hoped no one would notice the swath of golden retriever fur on my black pants, and I headed for the car.
It’s funny how things change with parenthood. A few years ago I would have never even thought to face a client meeting in wrinkled black pants, only a quick swipe of mascara, and a sweater that qualified only because it 1) matched and 2) smelled clean. But today, I was thankful for a clean, matching, stain-free outfit!
It’s a difficult thing to explain how my brain works. People consider me to be an organized person yet don’t realize the chaotic state my brain works in. I try to offer examples of situations that demonstrate how my mind actually works but most scenarios fall short.
However, for whatever reason, I had an “aha” moment last night and landed upon a tremendously perfect example of my brain in action. This is why (without tremendous focus and energy) it takes me forever to complete a project.
So here it is – how my brain processes. (This is a “for example” event, not something that actually happened.)
The Scenario: Someone accidentally spills a container full of beads into the grass and asks me to help pick them up again. (Note – the grass keeps me from seeing all the beads at once. I have no idea how many beads there are, what variety they are, etc.)
Step 1: I jump in and start picking up the beads.
Distraction 1: I’ve been collecting them in my hand, which soon reaches capacity. So, when the capacity of my hand is exceeded by the number of beads, I stop to get a container for the beads so that I can continue collecting the beads. Return to Step 1.
Distraction 2: After collecting a hefty amount of beads, I can see the beads are actually a range of different shapes. So I decide to sort the beads as I collect them. First, I take the container of beads I’ve already collected and sort the beads by shapes, pushing each shape group into different corners of the container. It becomes quickly apparent that simply pushing them apart in the container isn’t going to work (since all they do is roll back together). So [sub-distraction] I stop to get some small containers for sorting the beads. Return to Step 1.
Distraction 3: As I find more of the spilled beads, I see that the beads are different colors. I decide to further sort the beads by color. I note that I will need more containers, [sub-distraction] so I stop to take care of that problem. When I return, I sort the beads I’ve already collected (making sure they are sorted not just by shape, but also by color). Return to Step 1.
Okay, by now you should get the idea. And if only that were the end of the distractions…the rest of the collection process continues with me stopping and resorting several more times (always going back to resort the beads I’ve already collected).
Distraction 4: I stop to sort by size. Return to Step 1.
Distraction 5: I decide there are too many varieties of size and go back to sorting by shape and color. Return to Step 1.
Distraction 6: I decide there are way too many shades of color and go back to sorting only by shape. Return to Step 1.
Distraction 7: I decide it’s too cumbersome to sort the beads after all and should stick to picking them up and putting them in one container. Return to Step 1.
It’s a wonder ANYTHING gets done!
