The rainbow after the storm

The rainbow after the storm. (DALL-E generated.)

It all started slowly and innocently enough, like the first drops of a rainstorm.

I mean, it’s only natural for things in life to break sometimes, and need fixing and maintenance, right? Routine dental cleanings sometimes lead to fillings or reveal the need for root canals and crowns. It’s not just me. The older people (and pets) get, the more extra medical attention they need. Appliances and parts of the house also get older and start to wear out. Cars need to be kept in good working order.

But after a few weeks these demands usually let up and allow one to return to a normal routine. Right?

Not this time:

My fridge is out… again?! My 20-year-old washing machine is fine, but the drain is blocked and now I need a plumber?!A raccoon jumped from a fence to my gutter and yanked it clean off the roof?! (I was there when it happened.)What do you mean I need a new car? This one’s only 20 years old!The physical therapist I’ve been waiting weeks to see is on medical leave?!I need PT twice a week, but I can’t get another appointment for a month?!How did I manage to lock myself out of my own website?!They kept my CPAP machine for 8 months (no typos; they gave me a loaner but I had to talk them into it) and still managed to return it to me with the wrong settings?My 20-year-old office chair is falling apart? (Do I detect a pattern here?)The rainbow after the storm

All of this (and more) has been happening against the backdrop of a loved one’s suffering, and the eventual, inevitable, final end of their life. Which happened on Saturday.

Wait…was that part of the storm? Or was it the rainbow?

No, seriously, I think I can feel the storm clouds lifting as I type.

Returning to normal

What is a normal routine for a retired organizer, anyway? Well, for me it usually involves making progress on personal projects like genealogy research and organizing Mom’s Boxes. Maybe blogging or working on a new book. Taking care of things that aren’t emergencies, but could become emergencies if neglected for too long. But lately my biggest accomplishment has been to binge watch 4-1/2 seasons (so far) of the 30-year-old TV show Northern Exposure (for the first time). Reminds me of the early days of the pandemic when I watched Dawson’s Creek (nearly as old, and also for the first time). When the going gets tough, the tough watch guilt-free TV!

I know what will help:  Getting Back on Track (A version of this post — plus the Getting Back on Track flow chart — is included in my book: Go With the Flow! The Clutter Flow Chart Workbook.)

Déjà vu

But wait — haven’t I been here before? What did I do about it last time? Did I write about it? Of course I did!

As my organizing and writing colleague Shawndra Holmberg says, and most bloggers will agree: “When life gives you lemons, write a blog post.”

A search of my website turned up a couple of favorites:

Odds Are We’re Gonna Be Alright (It includes links to uplifting songs and other posts and websites that I find comforting.)Always believe in yourself (and have a backup plan)

Here’s another time I wrote about a storm: Are you feeling adrift too? (We were not all in the same boat during COVID, but we were all weathering the same storm.)

This time around I also asked ChatGPT:

Hazel: I have been overwhelmed lately with so many appointments — home repair, medical, dental, etc. What do you suggest for staying organized while keeping my spirits up?

ChatGPT: (It provided a perfectly serviceable blog-length reply with opening and closing paragraphs.)

Hazel: That’s good. Could you make it shorter?

ChatGPT: Absolutely! Here’s a condensed version:

Centralize scheduling: Use one calendar for all appointments to avoid confusion.Prioritize and batch tasks: Group similar appointments together for efficiency.Set realistic expectations: Don’t overload yourself; it’s okay to delegate or ask for help.Prioritize self-care: Schedule regular breaks and celebrate small victories.Stay flexible: Adapt to changes and unexpected events with an open mindset.

Remember to be kind to yourself and seek support if needed.

Thanks, Chatty G! (As my colleague Jamie Steele calls it.)

(Publicly-accessible generative AI has come a long way since last year, but this is still a good introduction, if you want one: An “Interview” with ChatGPT.)

It’s not a contest

Fortunately, it’s not a contest. Still, I counted up my appointments so far this year to make sure I wasn’t making a mountain out of a molehill. There have been 29 such appointments, which is at least 20 more than usual for only a few months in. This does not count my monthly house cleaning and occasional yard work appointments. It also does not count the time spent online and on the phone figuring out insurance and scheduling issues. Not to mention the expenses involved. (None of the appointments were income-producing.)

Not only is that list not comprehensive, it is (seemingly) never-ending.

Troubles ebb and flow, and I’m writing this post partly because I suspect I have readers who can relate.

Is that you?

Are you OK?

Never underestimate the value of a good cliché

Cliché (Oxford dictionary): a phrase or an idea that has been used so often that it no longer has much meaning and is not interesting.

I’m the sort of person who believes things will work out. Not magically, or immediately, but generally speaking, with a little preparation and a little faith.

While these paraphrased cliches may be overused, that doesn’t mean they’re not true and helpful:

When it rains it pours. (Don’t forget, that goes for good things, too!)After the storm, look for the rainbow.There is always, always something to be grateful for.First come the rains, then the flowers.This, too, shall pass.Ride the wave. (The wave of emotions, that is. I’m linking to a source in case you are unfamiliar with this one.)Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger (or makes a good blog post).

 

How do YOU stay organized and keep YOUR spirits up when you are overwhelmed?

What is your favorite cliché, or saying, or bible verse, or song, for hard times?

Do you see something here (or in one of the links) that helps you?

Please share with us in the comments below!

______________________________________________________Hazel Thornton is an author, genealogist, and retired home and office organizer.
Hung Jury: The Diary of a Menendez Juror What’s a Photo Without the Story? How to Create Your Family Legacy Go With the Flow! The Clutter Flow Chart Workbook Feel free to link directly to this post! Click here to ask about other uses.Copyright 2024 by Hazel Thornton, Organized for Life and Beyond

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