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Last week, I wrote about the hidden cost of convenience. Ironically, on the same day, something happened that made our world just the opposite—inconvenient. Our refrigerator decided to stop working.

Sometimes, life throws obstacles our way, disrupting our flow and routine. Knowing that things will run smoothly brings comfort, but it also leaves us unprepared when they don’t. Something as simple as a refrigerator breaking down can throw a wrench into daily life.

On a Wednesday night, Jeanann mentioned that the refrigerator wasn’t closing properly. That could cause problems, so we called for a repair. I scheduled the appointment for Monday when I was free, thinking it wasn’t urgent. Later that day, I received a text from an AI bot offering to reschedule for Friday or Saturday due to earlier availability. I declined since the appointment was already on the calendar.

Lo and behold, that same day, I opened the freezer and found everything melting. A little later, the fridge stopped cooling as well. I did what any good DIYer would do—unplugged it, waited five minutes, and plugged it back in. No luck.

With the help of our daughter, Morgan, we gathered all the coolers from the garage and started packing. A trip to the store for ice helped us avert a crisis, especially since the outside temperatures were between 20°F and 30°F. Unfortunately, that solution would only last a few days.

Then I had a bright idea: I went back to the AI bot’s text and asked if Friday was still available. It responded that the earliest appointment was now Saturday, so I took it. The repairman arrived as scheduled, quickly assessed the situation, and determined that we needed a new compressor. He ordered the part, but the next available installation appointment was in two weeks.

When we moved into our new home in 2020, we purchased the refrigerator, washer, and dryer, opting for the extended five-year warranty. Now, we’re glad we did. The compressor replacement will take four hours and would have cost $1,200 out of pocket. Have you seen the price of refrigerators today?

As you know, I enjoy striking up conversations, so I chatted with the repairman. He was apologetic about our inconvenience and assured us he’d do what he could. I must be getting wiser with age because my younger self would have had a conniption over the extra work, time, and money this situation required. Back in the day (a classic Boomer phrase), refrigerators lasted 20+ years with minimal maintenance.

Today, products are designed with built-in obsolescence, and repairing them yourself is nearly impossible. Even speaking with a live person for support is a challenge, as you’re often directed to a webpage instead. Each step of the process could easily lead to frustration.

The repairman seemed surprised by my calm reaction. “You’re not upset?” he asked. “Most people get testy about these situations, and even more so when I tell them they need a compressor replacement without a warranty.”

I told him that shifting your mindset makes all the difference. A lot of people in Western North Carolina recently lost everything—their refrigerators, washers, dryers, cars, even their homes. Compared to that, a compressor issue is minor. I’m grateful my heat is on, my roof is intact, our cars are running, and my family is healthy.

Let’s call this what it is: a small inconvenience that can be fixed. The best approach is to take it in stride and adjust. We bought a mini-fridge to get through the next two weeks. Friends offered space in their spare refrigerators. Staying positive and grateful is a much better way to deal with inconvenience—things will get better in the end.

Yesterday, the temperature warmed up, and some freezer items didn’t make it. Thankfully, our warranty covers food spoilage. And just as I was writing this, I received another AI bot text letting me know the compressor had arrived. It asked if I wanted to move my repair up from next week to tomorrow, Saturday, or Monday. I chose tomorrow.

The right mindset can help you navigate times of inconvenience. Staying positive reinforces the belief that good things will happen—like today’s AI bot text. By the way, the bot’s name is Richard.

Bridging the gap between generations is my passion. I specialize in helping businesses and associations unlock the power of collaboration across generations to achieve greater success. If your organization is experiencing generational divides, let’s connect and collaborate!