This Is Me

title: Why can't things be easier?
slug: be-easier
date: 2023-06-16
author: Eden Blackfoot-Hare

excerpt: Why I don't need to follow these instructions.
featured_image: /images/posts/none.png
status: published
categories:
  - inspirational
tags:
  - inspirational

content:
  - type: paragraph
    text: |
      Oh, how many times have we said something like why can't this be easier?  Sometimes it is because we think the actions needed are too complicated or unnecessary.  Sometimes it is because some other person or agency should do this for us.  Maybe we don't understand the reasons why it is complicated, and possibly even because we are either lazy or just don't want to do it.  Yes.  All my reasons, and yours too if you think about it and admit it.

      Recently I bought something for my apartment and I looked at the 30 page instruction book that came with it.  Oh come on, I'm a smart girl.  I have two Master's degrees and I have built countless things over my life.   It took me 5 minutes to realize I was completely out of my depth.    And every one of us has been in this exact situation.

      Another time, I was reviewing an application implementation in a work setting, and thinking this is crazy.  We do all this stuff for no reason.  The reason became clear after a discussion: it didn't have anything to do with the service being provided to the user, but for ensuring compliance with government regulations. Many of us have been there too.

      I am thinking about this today because I had my legal name and gender changed.  And now I have the honor of doing what every woman does after a marriage or divorce: visit countless places to update my name.  Just about everything starts with the U.S. Social Security Administration \(SSA\).  Our Social Security Number \(SSN\) is tied to many things, especially government and finance.

      I understand why it would be impossible for SSA to tell every company, bank, etc. in the U.S.  Why can't they tell other U.S. Government departments, like Immigration and Naturalization, or the Passport office.  Why can't they at least tell the state where I live?

      I don't believe for one second I am the first woman to wonder this.

      And I don't expect it to change any time soon: there are a lot of privacy and other concerns. Plus, I don't feel like our State and Federal governments could play nice for long enough to make it happen.

      Or, it would be collectively screwed up and almost impossible to fix.
      That would be bad.

      Like why I don't need to follow these instructions, maybe relying upon others, or governments, to do the thing in our best interest isn't what we should ask more.  I'll see you in line at SSA, DMV, etc.