I used to believe it was invariably true that I would have wet socks when it rained. All my walking would be squeaky and cold until I got into a building to dry off, and my feet would be a bit uncomfortable. This was simply the way of things, and I would put up with it until I got home.
I don't like rain gear as a rule.
I could get proper rain books, but then I'd have to check the forecast, and deal with rain boots, and that was too much work. Getting a whole new pair of shoes, only to solve the occasional problem of wet socks, wasn't worth the trouble.
One season, I happened to change to a different pair of shoes for unrelated reasons. Unbeknownst to me, they were water resistant.
The rain came, and I walked around and puddles as I always do, and life went on. I didn't notice the absence of wet socks, I vaguely assumed the rain was lighter than I remembered, or I'd avoided puddles better.
I changed midway through the day to another pair of shoes for no particular reasons, and was suddenly reminded that wet socks are awful. It's cold and sticky and smelly, you even change your walking pattern slightly to make it more bearable, and on the whole it's an unpleasant reminder that I have to pay attention to the state of the outside world.
It was always like that, but I had assumed it was a tradeoff I could live with.
I didn't realize the solution was so easy. If it was so easy that I hadn't even realized I had adopted it, how could I possibly put up with the old way? It was so easy that the downside of the problem increased. If it stops happening, you don't notice a problem that doesn't exist. When it comes back, it feels worse.
The perception of the tradeoff became based on my expected cost of the solution. If the solution costs nothing, the problem becomes intolerable.
I had the same realization with cold ears and headphones. I have hooded jackets and hats and things to keep your ears warm, but they were an extra hassle to choose before going out, so I lived with cold ears when I had to.
Turns out, if you always have headphones on you anyway, you can stop having cold ears.
Any readers in harsher climates are probably shaking their heads at my naivete. But right now, I'm happy to have dry socks and warm ears. These two things alone are a startling quality of life improvement,
But really, the good enough solutions have been there, this whole time.
I could have kept an eye out for shoes which I would have bought anyway but happened to also be water resistant. I assumed that option didn't exist. Seeing it now, how could I ever go back?
The general case of this is your life can be better all over again. Question the tradeoffs you choose to take, because sometimes they don't exist.
A quick fix is all you need.
- Rew
Nightly Notes
Ah, editing my nemesis. One day, I'll have time for you again.
Anyway.
Despite my dislike of having to actively prepare for the weather, I love major weather events.
Only the chaotic ones though.
Windstorms are great to wander in if you're bundled up, and rain storms set the a tone like nothing else. Don't even get me started on snow. It's going to be a pain later, but when it's falling there's nothing quite like it.
My least favorite has to be heatwaves combined with bad air. Nothing happens, the world just becomes less comfortable.
Have some fun with the weather, if you can. It's one of the few real sources of spontaneity left.
- Rew