As I was taking my dog for an early morning spin around the block I realized I could get to the store right when they open at 7 and then I’d have all my chores done before most people even roll out of bed on a Sunday. Achiever.
But anyone who understands the culture in Mexico knows it’s foolish to show up at an establishment too close to opening time. And yet. With 11 years of Mexican culture under my belt, I still manage to get taken by this all the time. Where “north of the border” culture has people literally waiting outside the door at 6:57 for a 7am opening time (they did a Mervyn’s commercial about this in the 90s, remember), Mexican culture cannot be rushed or bothered. The sign says they open at 7, so the doors will be unlocked at 7, perhaps, but whether they’re actually ready for you to be there is another matter entirely. I always, always forget this.
So the store was really just about half ready to open, which I should have guessed, but I’m never ever fully ready to wait, so I didn’t get a couple of things on my list which means I’m not done shopping.
I stopped on the way back from the store to pay a couple of bills at OXXO, open 24 hours (theoretically), but they were locked up tight so I’ll have to go out later and pay those bills. The bills aren’t done either.
The laundry is another thing that’s never done, and the dishes are barely ever done before a spoon is needed for serving, or you want a glass of juice or something.
Done-ish
We’re just kind of… never really done with many of the particulars of life. Whether it’s us who runs out of energy in the day and leaves it to tomorrow, or someone else just can’t be bothered to be open and ready all at once, for whatever reason, the tasks of life are always a certain percentage of “done” but rarely are they 100%, and I feel like there’s freedom in that.
If we’re doing the best we can each day, then that’s about all we can do. Our day takes the shape of whatever could honestly get done, subject to limitations, mine and yours.
I think often about accommodating our needs each day. Sure, we dress for the weather, we feed our stomachs, we answer the call of nature, we accommodate these needs. But are we mindful of things like stressing out over what doesn’t really matter all that much in the grand scheme? And the negative effect that has on us? I’m not always very mindful. Trying to be better about it though. Today was a good reminder.
Happy self care Sunday! I’m about 95% done with what I planned, and I say that’s the perfect amount.
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