Title: The Hidden Price of Disarray
Hi everyone!
In the past few weeks, I’ve had an eye-opening realization about the cost of disarray. Man, can chaos be expensive!
Now, I consider myself a pretty tidy sort. I love having systems, I’m all for everything having its specific spot, and I’m broad about having backups. But let me tell you, moving to a new place can upend everything!
Have you ever seen the price of a shovel skyrocket after a big snowstorm hits, and you’re stuck, needing one urgently? Such an experience often leaves you no choice but to pay the high price. It’s similar to the upheaval that moving brings.
Here’s a glimpse of some messy situations that ended up costing me:
– I misplaced a cable, bought a new one, only to find the original once I had chucked out the packaging.
– I had to shell out full price for an item because I misplaced my stash of gift cards.
– I neglected to plan my purchases, and ended up paying more than necessary.
– I lost a pair of shoes which I then had to replace.
– I once started to prepare a meal only to find out halfway that I missed a vital ingredient.
– On a few occasions, I overslept and had to buy lunch instead of bringing homemade meals.
In my line of work in theatre, chaos is often our second name, and it’s a costly business, especially when we find ourselves paying hefty express shipping fees for items that could have been order ahead of time at a reasonable cost.
How can one manage this disarray? A few simple routines can be lifesavers here. Once comfortably settled, I discovered that a single drawer for cables could have saved me a good deal of stress. Keeping gift cards (and coupons) in my wallet means I’ll have them handy whenever I need to use them.
Staying on top of advance ticket purchases or any type of early booking can keep unnecessary costs at bay. If I designate a regular spot for the things I often use, I lessen the chances of losing them. And by prepping lunch the night before, I curb the morning chaos and save a few bucks.
Nevertheless, in the heat of the moment, it can be all too easy to throw caution to the wind and give in to the chaos. Flight delayed? Oh well, let’s drop $20 each for cocktails at the nearest bar. Had a tough day at work? Let’s dine out tonight. Already splurged too much at the mall? What’s one more item?
I’m not saying these things to critique or judge. Rather, I’m speaking from my own experiences. Once the chaos starts breeding in my personal space, I’m the first to surrender, when ideally, I should be striving to manage it better.
So, what about you guys? How do you keep the chaos in check?
Until next time,
Mel