In the same way that the stewards of the Titanic were more concerned about the unemptied ashtrays on the bar than the enormous hole in the side of the ship which was letting in zillions of gallons of water, I too was worrying about the unimportant and ignoring the vital.
In her book "Watermelon," author Marian Keyes presents a poignant analogy comparing the behavior of the Titanic's stewards, who focused on trivial matters rather than the ship's impending disaster, to her own tendency to fixate on minor issues while neglecting critical matters in life. This reflection highlights the often misplaced priorities individuals exhibit, showing how easy it is to become distracted by less important concerns while significant problems go unaddressed.
This metaphor serves as a reminder to readers about the importance of recognizing and prioritizing what truly matters. Just as the stewards missed the urgency of the situation, we can become preoccupied with superficial details, failing to confront more pressing challenges in our lives. Keyes encourages a shift in perspective to ensure we focus on addressing the vital issues rather than getting caught up in irrelevant worries.