Knowing when to say when is an acquired skill. Like learning not to overstay your welcome when bunking with a relative or a friend. Or when to find the exit as a restaurant is closing up for the night. But the opposite is also true. Like for bottomless beverages or unlimited chips and salsa. It’s like they almost want you to test the limits of their offer and possibly get into a little trouble, right?
Knowing when to say when also applies to having plans. Like what day and time should I be there? What is the dress code? Do we have reservations? But what about when you have a totally different MO than your significant other or sibling? And you’re waaaay out of your comfort zone because they’re in charge. What if you’re a planner and they are used to just wingin’ it? How do you manage yourself so that you don’t go crazy or have an anxiety attack when you’re not sure of the when?
Oh, you’re so funny thinking that I’d actually be able to answer that question! You know that you’re talking to the governess of the Plan-Ahead-And-Then-Shimmy-If-You-Need-To-Tweak-The-Details camp, right? And not the Wait-Until-The-Very-Last-Minute-And-See-What’s-Open side. Honestly, those people freak me out!
Sometimes you have all the ingredients you need to do the thing or bake the cake or make the decision, but you’re not entirely positive if it’s time to say when. Hesitation is certainly a part of life when you’re unsure, but sometimes you have to preheat the oven and start the process or you’ll run out of time and never get your desired results.
I’m a huge fan of the chef, Food Network personality, and bestselling cookbook author Ina Garten. Don’t you just love her? She just published her first non cookbook and it’s a memoir called “Be Ready When the Luck Happens.” “Ina Garten presents an intimate, entertaining, and inspiring account of her remarkable journey. Ina’s gift is to make everything look easy, yet all her accomplishments have been the result of hard work, audacious choices, and exquisite attention to detail.” This is a woman who knows when to take a leap of faith, and when to count on herself and manage to have a great time in the process. We can all learn a thing or two from Ina… and that’s in addition to her amazing recipes. How terrific is that?
I agree that life is often about timing. And knowing when to say when involves having the confidence to make hard choices like leaving a failed marriage, changing firms, or moving. Timing can also be about exciting things like when to plan a party, take an extravagant trip or finally buy your dream home/boat/watch/car.
Remember our old pal Vivian Ward from Pretty Woman and her famous quote? “I say who! I say when. I say who!” Exactly. She was in charge of her choices just like you are in control of yours.
jenslittleblackbook.com 