Suzanne Askham

Why I’m learning to love chaos

It was one of those mornings. Nothing was going to plan. I was supposed to be having a quiet cup of coffee at my place with a friend. Instead, it was as if I’d put a sign on the door inviting everyone in. A stream of random visitors turned up, including the window cleaner, a slightly lost horse and sundry builders. My dog was beside himself. Chaos ensued. 

After all the visitors had left, the air felt unexpectedly fresh and clear, as though a storm had blown through – as though all the loose branches and detritis of the neighbourhood had been swept away. It occurred to me then that chaos can actually serve a purpose, of sorts. Although my morning had not gone as planned, I was buzzing with fresh ideas for my writing. The mayhem had somehow cleared away a mental stagnation that I hadn’t even been aware of. 

Chaos is a fact of life. By definition, we can’t control it, or even predict when it’ll come our way. But it seems that we can survive and possibly thrive when chaos suddenly appears. So, next time your plans collapse, why not embrace the feeling of not being fully in control? Whisper a welcome to Storm Chaos. Put aside your ‘to do’ list and open your mind to new possibilities. Remind yourself that mayhem never sticks around for ever. And the peace that follows can truly be appreciated.