Run a Tight Ship or a Tight Shipwreck?Unexpected Insights from a T-shirt Motto

By Erika Fehrenbach Prell

I’m about to admit something that you fashion forward thinkers may consider cringe-worthy. I love t-shirts with words. Sorry, not sorry. I have to hold myself back and make a conscious effort to have other shirts in my rotation. Some of my shirts are inspirational, like “Choose Kind”, while others are just pure fun, such as “Spring Break 2020: Porcho Myarda”.

These t-shirts have sparked some interesting conversations and unexpected insights. So there I was (my husband insists all good stories start with this phrase) at a socially distanced neighborhood cul-de-sac happy hour, wearing the newest edition to my eclectic collection, "I Run a Tight Shipwreck.” Isn’t that hilarious? I will be honest; I totally got it because I thought it was not only funny but also described the marginally controlled chaos that is the Prell household. My intent to add this to my collection was not for this to be one of my inspirational shirts, and I doubt that was the intention of the t-shirt producer. After discussing this a bit, it came to me that this shirt has an awesome lesson, and message, to consider. Suddenly, all my fun shirts have hidden inspirational messages. Here are my current favorites!

#1 - "Why Limit Happy to an Hour?"
The obvious intent of this shirt is to extend your beverage consumption. But, think about it...why not be happy? To live your best life, it should be built on a foundation of happiness.

Feeling happy releases the body's happiness hormones called endorphins. This flood of happy is a difference maker! It sets you in a mindset of possible and positive. With that shift in your energy, more happiness continues to come back to you (good ole Law of Attraction, DreamChaser). Sounds pretty fantastic to me!

#2 - "I Run a Tight Shipwreck"
On the surface, a tight ship may seem an appealing option. Everything is in its place. Everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. Chaos is in control, and order prevails. All the type A’s reading this are daydreaming of this blissful utopia. The captain is in charge of the ship and all the sailors fall in line.

Here’s the reality. It is pretty easy to keep things together when everything is going according to plan. The true test is how you react in a crisis. Personally, I want to be the clear-headed captain when, as my dad would say, the s#@% hits the fan. If you are good in a crisis, chances are you keep it cool in everyday life. Your ship might not be perfect but there is an overall sense of confidence that everything will be alright. 

​Find yourself freezing in a crisis or getting stressed when the plan unexpectedly changes? Don't fear, DreamChasers, you can learn this skill with practice. Here is my strategy for keeping your cool when the ship goes down:

#3 - "Flawsome: (def) A person who embraces their "flaws" and knows they are awesome regardless"

​This one is pretty self-explanatory but we all need reminders of this. We all have flaws. If we are stepping out of our comfort zones, those flaws will appear when we fail. Remember! Flaws and failures are the opportunities to be better...these are life's best lessons.

Stepping out of the comfort zone is where the magic happens, where dreams and goals go from a thought to reality. It might be scary or uncomfortable, but it will be worth it. You are flawsome for going after it!

Just goes to show, the universe sends lessons, wisdom and insight in unusual ways. You just have to pay attention! Join me, DreamChasers, in being the clear-headed, flawsome captain that runs the tightest, happiest shipwreck.

Shine on!