Sometimes, I Leave the Fridge Door Open
Hi, everyone
Most days, I walk into my kitchen with a singular purpose, driven by a very specific desire: chocolate. Just all the chocolate. As I look inside the fridge, scanning past the bite-sized apples and over the lonely avocado, I glimpse a citron-hued block of cheddar, a carton of free-range eggs, a leftover piece of lasagna… there’s just no chocolate. But, depending on the day, I might stand there for a moment, door ajar, pondering about… something. A memory that had slipped by unnoticed, like a wisp of cloud across the sky or fingerprints on an abandoned handrail.Thanks Bob Mortimer for that last one. And then, to the horror of environmentalists and my electricity bill, I forget. Yep – I leave the fridge door open.
I used to remember passwords faster than I could type them, but now I remember… well, I remember that I should probably write them down somewhere safe!
We all forget things, don’t we?
But, to be clear, I’m not talking about those oh-dear-I-forgot-my-keys moments. That happens to us all, and besides, the solution is simple: buy a neon pink key bowl, put it by the front door, and toss your keys into it each time you walk through that door. Bob’s your uncle, problem solved.
What I’m referring to are the more subtle slips in our daily lives. I mean the type of oversight we commit when we leave that fridge door slightly ajar while obliviously wandering away to dust off a blueberry muffin, or settle into a new Netflix series. It’s about walking away carelessly while a vital part of your life – your fridge – is left neglected and losing its chill.
Now, my mind is akin to Swiss cheese,
and not just any Swiss cheese. The kind with more airy voids than actual cheese. So, please don’t take it to heart when I stare blankly as you mention the time when we chased bulls through the cobblestone streets of Pamplona or when I look puzzled at the mention of the notorious fish fries in Key West. Definitely, don’t be angry at me when I accidentally mistake your pet iguana for a Jason’s chameleon and try to feed it lettuce. It’s not personal; my brain’s on its own adventure!
And here’s where I awkwardly nod and pretend I remember every hilarious moment you’re describing, while secretly hoping there’s a photo album somewhere to fill in the blanks!
It seems I can remember the all the words to “Lose Yourself,” but when it comes to the location of my car keys, the bee stumbles.
Yo, spaghetti’s weak, knees heavy, palms are greasy,
There’s vomit on his sweater already, Mom’s spaghetti
We’re living in an era where multitasking is worn like a badge of honor.
We’re constantly trying to juggle a million different balls at once, with the hope of not letting any of them drop. We are busy, life is fast-paced and – yes – sometimes in the flurry of all this activity, we leave the proverbial fridge door open.
When we’re constantly split between work deadlines, social commitments, and personal projects, it’s almost inevitable for us to let something fall by the wayside. It’s like trying to hold water in our hands – no matter how tightly we clasp them, something always manages to leak out.
But here’s what I’ve realized: that’s okay.
Because, in a world obsessed with being ‘on the ball’, forgetting can be a revolutionary act of self-care. Forgetting is freeing. There’s liberation in accepting that you are not a mechanized being, but a beautifully flawed human who can, and will, leave the fridge door open. Go forth and forget that minor detail. Misplace that unimportant something. Because, you know what? At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter.
What truly matters is when the forgetting turns into neglect – intentional ignorance or consistent forgetfulness extending over a period of time. If you’re leaving that fridge door open more often than not, perhaps it’s time for a little introspection. It could be your mind hinting at an underlying issue, like undue stress or an overly crammed schedule. Or maybe, it’s a sign of needing a new fridge.
Being imperfect is part of the human experience. So the next time you leave the fridge door open, instead of berating yourself for forgetting, consider it a reminder to pause. Take a deep breath. Don’t hasten to shut the door. Stand there, and appreciate that forgetfulness is simply a shared human experience.
Oh, and take a moment to reconsider your grocery list. Maybe next time, just maybe, you’ll remember to snag that chocolate.
Do you forget things? Let us know in the comments! What’s your most forgotten thing?