How to look like you have it figured out

Everyone’s lives are in various states of decay. We constantly grasp at the pieces of our lives as they fly away from us in opposite directions. 

Some days I feel like I am chasing what remains of my sanity up a down escalator. (If you, unlike the rest of humanity, have your life perfectly figured out and are never surprised by anything, please talk to me, I would love to learn your secrets.)

We all define control differently. If I can get my assignments done before they are due or get to class early, I am doing good. Maybe you are the five-minutes-late-if-I-get-there-at-all type, or you like to work an entire week or month ahead. 

We all are thrown curveballs (pandemics anyone?) pushing us out of the known and into the insane. Some people just hide it better than others. But even if you conceal your entropic tendencies from the world, you can not hide from yourself.

So, what is the solution? For me, the answer is preparation and careful planning, but I know not everyone works like I do. Regardless, these are a few tactics I discovered to combat craziness.

Get up and go to bed at reasonably regular times. I woke up just in time for work or class when my alarm failed me many times, because I get up at about the same time every day.

Eat food and drink water. Life is so much better when you are not dehydrated or hungry.

Sometimes skipping meals is unavoidable, but make those occasions as infrequent as possible.

Do laundry. Maybe personal hygiene should go here, but I stand by my choice. When I am wearing my favorite outfit, I feel put together, even if I am late for everything. Having clothes ready makes a huge difference on your day. Even if your actions are a mess, at least you smell put together.

We are all struggling through life together, especially these days. Remember that person sitting next to you, or that person cutting you off in traffic? They have a story. Their mess is invisible to you, but they have one. They do not have life together any more than you do. So, maybe a little compassion would not go amiss?