My kitchen faucet was busted for 2 months, well, actually 2 years. For two months, the kitchen faucet was wobbly and loose. Initially, I could crawl under the sink and tighten it, but it got worse, I couldn’t pull the sprayer out. The leaning faucet annoyed my aesthetic. To clean the counter top, which was multiple times daily—yes, I am that person, I’d wedge a towel around it to keep it stable. I finally admitted defeat, skipped the step of fix via YouTube it and called for a professional.
The repair took 15 minutes. Turns out, there was a double repair. The water pressure value was busted. Sure, I noticed when I bought the place two years ago the water seemed to be 2 psi above a trickle but I rationalized it was to prevent sink over flow. The way time to fill a pot of water for pasta was long enough that I could sweep the kitchen floor, wipe down the counter tops and set the table before the pot was full. I’d adjusted to suboptimal.
This is the funny part, it’s taken a week for me not to approach the faucet like it means to do me harm, like it’s not going to tip over. I can actually wipe down the counter with out gingerly going around the faucet base. Now I can fill the pot for pasta so quick my mind does not have time to play a game of how many tasks can I complete.This begs the question, how easily do you adjust when something is broken when you don’t have to? Maybe is there is a charging cord you need to plug in just right? Maybe something is not right, but you think no one will notice. A friend once asked my mother why her hair was purple. My mom looked at her a bit surprised and replied, “you can see that? I thought only I could see it.” Then my mom turns and runs to the den and confronts my dad.”Dan, why didn’t you tell me my hair was purple?” He laughed and said, “Oh Ruth, you know I am color blind.” What is it for you that you assume no one will notice. This emphasizes the need for a trusted advisor. Sometimes it’s friends, sometimes it’s just someone who will give you an honest answer.
Two years ago, I had two mortgages. I was stressed out to say the least. Then I looked at the data, there were 11 condos within the zip code that had sold in the same price range; 3 of which were in my building with mine being larger and my unit included two parking spaces unlike the others which had one. Finally I heeded the advice of friends and neighbors and got a new realtor and the condo was sold in two weeks. I guess for me, I needed the data and honest opinions.1
Now, we like to say, there was a lesson, blah, blah, blah and I did learn some with the realtor situation. I gave a quick summary, but, it was a hard call and tough for me. However, there was no value with low water pressure. I regularly thought, this is slow, but assumed it was working as designed. Like those frustrating child proof lids. Boy, was I wrong.
Look around and assess what’s working and what’s not that you can reasonably do something about? Maybe it’s that frayed phone charger cord? Consider your trusted advisors, who might suggest to you what’s not working when you are not aware. Also, realize you are probably someone’s trusted advisor, are you saying what needs to be said?
1 Thanks to all y’all who said repeatedly, “you need a new realtor.”
Balancing on Unstable Surfaces 