Among a flock of orderly flamingos, one makes a dramatic entrance, wings stretched and legs flailing. A humorous reminder that even in nature’s perfection, chaos has its own place. This playful moment reflects the heart of a control enthusiast’s survival guide—finding laughter in chaos and beauty in the unexpected.
This Control Enthusiast’s Story Begins…
I’ve been obsessed with timing since the day I was born—literally. In 1956, I decided I wasn’t waiting for spring or a more convenient calendar slot. No, I made my grand entrance in the middle of the cold winter months, perfectly timed to test my mother’s patience and prove that this control enthusiast’s story was going to begin on my own schedule.
That early debut set the stage for the rest of my life. From managing what I thought was the “right” way for everyone to think, act, and behave, to double-checking that people actually did what they promised, my trust wore thin. After a few disappointments, I gave up and decided the only solution was a military-style takeover.
Spoiler: Life itself has a wicked sense of humor about ignoring my orders.
“We plan, God laughs.”
This Control Enthusiast’s Struggle with Medical Schemes and Patience
In a pod of calm hippos, one lets out a massive open-mouthed roar—perfectly capturing the frustration of waiting, planning, and feeling out of control. A humorous reminder that sometimes patience feels like a scream inside.
Fast forward to today, where nothing tests a control enthusiast’s patience quite like waiting on a medical scheme’s approval.
I imagine the approval process as a group of clerks spinning a giant Wheel of Fortune: “Approval… Denial… Maybe next month… Spin again!” Meanwhile, my knee is throwing grenades every time I try to climb the stairs.
I try to stay calm with my mantra:
“Breathe in love, calm, and peace… breathe out agitation, frustration, and irritation.”
Lovely in theory. In practice? By round five it sounded less like meditation and more like a full-on screaming rampage. My poor husband suggested I stop before the neighbors thought I’d started World War III.
The truth is, this control enthusiast’s battle plan doesn’t work on knees, insurance companies, or life. And that’s when control becomes less of a strategy and more of a comedy routine.
A Control Enthusiast’s Secret: Why Chaos Always Wins
Trying to control everything is like herding cats into formation. The more I push, the less anyone (or anything) cooperates.
And yet, when I finally unclench my grip, laughter sneaks in. Joy tiptoes back. Even bread dough occasionally decides to rise.
That’s the hidden gift: finding laughter in chaos transforms frustration into freedom.
| "Control is just a fancy word for stress with good intentions." ~Me
Loopholes & Eye Twitches: A Control Enthusiast’s Guide to Letting Go (Sort Of)
Schedule Spontaneity.
Yes, actually write “Be spontaneous” in your planner. It counts. It’s the control enthusiast’s loophole — a pre-approved surprise.Practice Imperfect Photography.
Take photos without straightening the horizon. Let the light leak. Let the moment breathe. (Your inner commander may faint, but she’ll recover.)Relinquish the Driver’s Seat.
Literally. Let someone else drive. And try — really try — not to gasp, grab the dash, or whisper “you missed the turn.”
I can’t even keep myself quiet when Mr. P is driving, and I love him more than life itself. It’s deeply embarrassing — but also deeply human.
When Life Refuses to Stay Neat
There was a time when I wanted everything to be tidy — emotions, schedules, countertops, spiritual growth. I believed if I could just line it all up neatly, peace would follow.
But life doesn’t come with tabs, dividers, or color-coded control.
I’m not working outside the home right now, but that doesn’t mean I’m not busy. I’m managing a healing body, a household, a head full of ideas, and a heart that often wants to control everything — including Mr. P’s driving. (Let’s just say my silence in the passenger seat deserves its own spiritual medal.)
These days, I’m learning to enjoy the mess:
A flower blooming sideways
Bacchus rolling in mud like it’s his destiny
Mister refusing to pose for a single decent photo
Bread dough that never listens
And me — caught mid-moment with flour on my soul and laughter sneaking in between the cracks
Because maybe the goal isn’t to have it all together.
Maybe the joy is in the paint-splattered, crooked, gloriously unfiltered bits.
“There’s magic in the mess—if you’re willing to see it.”
“Life is not a spreadsheet—or a battle plan—and that’s the good news.”
What Every Control Enthusiast’s Planner Can’t Prepare For
What’s your funniest “control fail”? Have you ever tried to organize something only to have life laugh in your face? Share it in the comments or tag me on Instagram @beautifultapestryoflife. Let’s swap our control enthusiast’s survival stories and start finding laughter in chaos together.
