What Took Me So Long?

What took me so long?

I’ve muttered under my breath for the past three weeks all while mentally kicking myself for being so stupid. Stubborn. Slow to act.

I’m not even sure what was motivating (okay, demotivating) my actions (or non-actions, I suppose).

I think some of comes down to not wanting to admit to myself that I made a mistake.

That I chose poorly.

Over five years ago, I moved from the spare bedroom in my friend’s home to my own apartment. And I was starting from scratch. As in, I didn’t even own a towel, much less a spoon. And so, like the list-maker I am, I researched the bigger products and price-shopped the smaller ones. I then compiled a spreadsheet of everything I would need.

And for the most part, I’ve been very happy with my choices as they’ve seen me through that apartment and into a new marriage and a new home.

But there was one exception.

One lemon amongst the rest.

The food processor/blender combo.

I never owned a food processor before because I never really cooked that much before. But that was before the tsunami, before I learned the importance of nurturing myself and before I became acclimated to my friend’s food processor. As a health-conscious vegetarian, I chop a lot of vegetables. And I mean A LOT. And I’m not fast about it, thus the decision to buy a machine that would simplify this for me.

But mine was nothing like hers. The blade became jammed on the stem upon its inaugural use, making both removing the food and cleaning the device a limb-threatening exercise. There apparently was some wormhole in the machine, because huge pieces of vegetable matter could escape the whirling dervish of the blades seemingly unscathed.

But the worst part was the size. Or, more accurately, the lack thereof. Whenever I would make cauliflower rice (something I love to eat!), my kitchen would look like a blizzard managed to break down the front door. And the pan would have just a light dusting of the cruciferous veg.

For over five years, I’ve been cursing this little disappointment of a device every time I pulled it out. Actually, I think I cursed it even more while it nestled safely in the cabinet while I tediously chopped carrots into tiny. little. pieces.

And three weeks ago, I finally had it.

And after 20 minutes of internet research, a few clicks on Amazon and a grand total of $40, I now have a new machine. And the curses have been replaced with praises. The frustration with glee. (I know that sounds extreme, but 30 minutes of prep cut down to 3? That is glee. Pure and simple.) And the pan is now overflowing with cauliflower rice while the floors and counters remain blizzard-free.

And now I wonder what in the hell took me so long?

Was I being stupid? Stubborn? Slow to act?

Yes to all three.

Inaction is easy. Even when you’re not happy.

Excuses are easy. Even when they’re lame.

Complaining is easy. Even when it changes nothing.

So here’s what I want to know – what decision did you wait too long to make? One that once you took the step, you wondered why you ever waited so long to act?

Please, help me out here and let me know I’m not alone! 🙂

Oh, and just in case you’re not laughing at me yet, I have another one for you. For my lunch this week, I made stuffed peppers. And the peppers are just firm enough that they require the use of a knife and fork.

Should be no problem for a grown woman, right?

Wrong.

As an almost-lifelong vegetarian, I eat very few foods that require the use of a knife. And so at lunch today, I clumsily passed the utensils between my hands until finally settling on holding the knife in my right fist like some poker while lamely trying to coordinate the two hands to saw off a bite. And I had to go through this process for every single ungainly bite.

My coworker compared me to his 6-year-old son.

He was being generous.

Facepalm.

Now, your turn. What decision did you put off for far too long???