One of the main things that I have been putting off was going to get my new drivers license (I recently relocated... ok, almost a year ago, but I have ADHD... give me a break!) I also had to get new plates, stickers, tabs, etc. So I was going to go downtown! This is a scary prospect and now that I was doing it with my awareness of what is going on in my head, I was intrigued... I mapped out what I was going to do on one of my day glow cards and got ready and off I went. My first stop was to go to this music store to get a fake book. (I am a musician) and so as I got off the train, there was an entrance directly to Marshall Fields. I had to go to the bathroom so I thought I would pop in there. Ok, you don't just pop IN to Marshall Fields. It was bright and festive and a recording of Ella Fitzgerald singing “You're The Top” was playing. I was happy! I looked around at everything and thought, “wow... I truly could get lost in here.” I finally found the bathroom... very confusing signs. Then I HAD to go look at the Levinger stuff. Now anyone who is an organizer/planner junkie knows that Levinger is like the strongest most luxurious drug. Beautiful stuff and very expensive. I looked and I DIDN'T buy anything!!!! Good for me. I realized I was side-tracking so I left. I started down to the old Carl Fisher music store. Block after block I went enjoying the buzz of the city. Finally I got to the area where I remember it being. It was gone. Gone. Just a big vacant lot. The building had been torn down. I got a bit mad, tried to call and find out where the store had re-located. I should have googled before I left. I have to remember that EVERYTHING must be planned out. I just threw myself down into the city with not enough information... that is/was dangerous.
I went over to the Library and got information there and finally found a music store and got my book. Then it was off to get my License and blah, blah, blah... I should have googled that too. I was totally lost and had to ask the information booths (thank goodness they exist although one of the ladies in the booth almost sent me off on a downward spiral because she told me that they didn't do the written driver exam downtown. But they DID. I finally found it, took my number and waited my turn.
Taking a test was intimidating. I remember how blurry I always felt in High School. I can't even remember or understand HOW on earth I even passed High School and got a diploma. So I took the test and thanks to my studying, I ACED it!!! I got 100% and felt great about it. Another moment to say, “Yay!”
So then I had to go and get my city sticker and new plates. I recieved two forms that I didn't quite understand and the woman behind the window was very odd. She seemed very pained and annoyed and weird... I really had to hold it together with this one. Impatience is not a virtue and I have it in spades. I finally was out of there with everything I needed. Back down into the subway and it was very very hot and a musician was singing some self composed annoying song. I got on the train and headed home!!!!
So next time, I will totally plan out the trip, know EXACTLY where to go and what I am going to do and make sure that I allow myself to do some fun things too.
The percieved complexity of doing something like this is truly just a perception. Doing the homework (like I did for the driver exam) pays off. Suddenly it isn't intimidating, the skies are clear and blue and off you go and enjoy being a productive human being.