Missing

Don’t you hate when things go missing? I don’t know about you, but something is always missing when I need it the most: my phone, my car keys, my purse. No matter how prepared I am the night before or how much time I leave to get ready in the mornings, there is always something I cannot find.

This morning, I had a networking event at 9 am. As a freelance writer who works from home, having to be somewhere that early and dressed to impress is a lot to ask. But I was ready. Last night, I pulled the perfect outfit from my closet, including shoes and Spanx. I checked the bathroom to be sure everything I needed was there: moisturizer, foundation, blush, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick. At my age, I require all these items to put on my professional face.

I checked my purse for my car keys and wallet and charged my phone. There! I was as ready as I’d ever be for this event. Or so I thought.

At 8:30 this morning, I remembered the one thing I had forgotten: business cards! I can’t show up to a networking event without them. That would be very bad. It’s the epitome of being unprepared, which is so off-brand for me.

I just had new ones printed and picked them up from Staples yesterday. I was so proud of myself for remembering to order new ones. Now, where did I put them?! I ran around the house, looking in all the obvious places—my office, bedroom, and kitchen. I started to sweat, which was not good as I was wearing a bright blue blouse that left no armpit stains unseen. Fifteen minutes later, it dawned on me to check my car; sure enough, that’s where I had left them.

I arrived at the event 15 minutes late and extremely frustrated. But I took a deep breath and gave myself a quick pep talk. I wouldn’t let a bad morning ruin this opportunity to meet potential clients and make new connections.

“You got this,” I said to myself. As I opened the car door, I glanced at the passenger seat.

Where the f&ck is my umbrella?!

(For my UBC friends and anyone who doesn’t live where I do, it was pouring rain here today!)

XO,
Elisa