I always plan the next day before I go to bed. When I make an arrangement to meet a friend, I turn up early – so early, in fact, that I often sit and wait outside for fear of embarrassment. I constantly make lists and take an unhealthy pleasure in that whooshing sound my computer makes when I tick off another item. And yet, despite all that, I can still get stressed.
It usually happens when something unexpected smashes into my routine, knocking me off guard or forcing me to make a quick decision. It’s like I’ve just being dropped into the ring with Katie Taylor. Take yesterday, for example. You’d be forgiven for thinking that a short trip down the road for a routine visit to the dentist should be no bother for someone as well organised as I am, but then, you haven’t met my wife…
‘You should cycle down,’ she said.
A short jab as she limbers up.
I knew I should cycle but the bicycle was in the back shed and the garden is like a bog so getting it out is a bit of a rigmarole. It involves taking off my shoes, putting on rubber boots and digging it out from under a myriad of garden implements laid on top of it. I then have to wheel it through the garden and the garage, take off the boots and lace back up my shoes again. Time was tight, but, even more than order, I like the peaceful life, so I did it.
‘It’s getting dark,’ she said. ‘You should take a reflector vest with you.’
A left hook that I didn’t see coming.
I stared at her.
‘There’s one in the garage on the shelf.’
Another jab.
At least that didn’t involve taking off my shoes and putting the boots back on. I went outside and found the vest.
‘You’ll need lights,’ she said. ‘When you’re coming home it will be pitch dark.’
An uppercut.
This woman has the full range of shots.
I stopped and closed my eyes, perhaps subconsciously imagining how it would be in the darkness.
‘They’re in the kitchen drawer,’ she said. ‘I don’t know if they are charged.’
Two more jabs.
I swore a little too loudly.
‘You can’t lecture the kids about needing to be seen on their bikes if you don’t light up,’ she said.
That was straight to the solar plexus.
I doubled over as I searched the drawer for working lights.
Lying back in the comfortable dentist’s chair, two things crossed my mind: sometimes it is the things that we least expect to cause us stress are the very ones that do and the next time you meet Katie Taylor, ignore the taunting. Take the car.
storiesfromadam 