Confessions of a Non-Shopaholic

I'm a woman, and I don't like to shop. There. I said it. Don't get me wrong...occasionally I get in the mood and splurge on a few things, but not often. Usually, it's when I realize I'm washing the same pair of shorts over and over again because they are the only ones I have that fit right. Or the elastic has come loose in one pair of underwear too many. Of course, then I typically just hop over to Goodwill (for the shorts, not the underwear). I like that I can get shorts for under $4 and that I'm recycling clothes that somebody else didn't want anymore. Plus, when I get them all muddy--which inevitably happens--it's not such a big deal.

There are venues that I don't mind. For example, I love to go to the marathon expos. Running expos are like my Macy's. Or give me a gift certificate to Dick's Sporting Good, Endurance Sports or Gander Mountain. Those are stores I can get into. But when I walk into a Macy's (or any other department store) I feel over-whelmed and anxiety-ridden.

Today I decided to brave it--work on my phobia a bit. I have a Macy's exchange card that I have been holding onto for about three years (I'm surprised they let me use it), and a gift card I've had for over a year. Both had just been sitting there, collecting dust. Crazy right? What woman would not take over $100 in Macy's gift cards and spend them? I kept telling myself that when I got down to my ideal weight, I would go buy something nice with them. Yeah...well...who ever reaches their ideal weight?

This morning I ventured into Macy's with the thought that I needed some new running shorts (again, I've been washing the same pair over and over again). I assumed they'd have various brands (Under Armour, Nike, Champion, etc.). That way I could go to Macy's and still be in my comfort zone. Guess what? Macy's doesn't really carry running clothes. I mean, they have some cute workout clothes...but these are not clothes I would throw on to go for a run. I found one pair of Nike running shorts that cost $45. And even though I had more than that in gift cards, I just couldn't spend $45 on a small piece of black spandex. It just seemed insane (now spending $45 on a good bottle of wine that's gone in a few days--that doesn't bother me. Go figure).

So much for getting much needed new running clothes. Well I was in the store--gift cards in hand--so I decided to browse a bit. And I actually did purchase a few things. I bought running socks! Four pairs! Whoo hoo! I also bought a few shelf-bra tanks for summer (those who know me, know I live in those during the summer months--being not so well-endowed has its advantages). I also bought a really cute pair of summer jammies (Now a jammy store I could get into. I love pajamas), and a very colorful swimsuit cover-up/dress for our vacation this summer. That's progress for me! Of course, it was all on-sale because even with gift cards I go into sticker shock--I mean I do purchase the majority of my clothes at Goodwill.

My gift card still has a balance on it. Do I go back? Try again? Hmmm...maybe Mark and I will get online and look for a nice kitchen appliance.

Type A? Me? No way!

According to Wikipedia, Type A individuals can be described as impatient, time-conscious, controlling, concerned about their status, highly competitive, ambitious, business-like, aggressive, having difficulty relaxing; and are sometimes disliked by individuals with Type B personalities for the way that they're always rushing. Type B individuals, in contrast, are described as patient, relaxed, and easy-going, generally lacking an overriding sense of urgency.

For as long as I've heard the terms Type A and Type B, I've associated Type A people as uptight and no fun, and Type B people as easy-going and fun. Therefore, I have known all along I was a Type B kind of person.

However, several years back my friend Maria started teasing that I was a closet Type A personality (she also said I was a closet Republican--and that's just wrong). But she may have had a point about me being a closet Type A. I do have some Type A leanings, but they are swirled in with some very Type B traits. I think I have a dual personality!

For example, I love to camp. And I have no problems being disheveled and grimy for several days at a time if it means beautiful hikes and adventures. At the same time, I'm an obsessive planner, so it will drive me a little crazy if that camping trip isn't planned ahead of time and I don't know what we're eating each night of the trip so I can do the proper shopping for it.

Mark likes to make reservations at the last minute so we can get a deal. And I totally understand that logic. I try my hardest to go with the flow. But the closer the trip gets, the more stressed I feel without reservations. And it's not like I have every minute of every day of our vacations planned, but I'm afraid if we don't plan out at least some of our activities ahead of time, we'll end up sitting in a hotel room discussing what we want to do--wasting precious time.

I come from a family of planners. I can tell you the day, time and place my family will celebrate Christmas in 2017, and Thanksgiving in 2018. On the other hand, we usually aren't sure when my husband's family will celebrate until a few days before. I'm learning to work with that (really...I'm trying).

There are other examples:

Type B: I'm messy. There's dirty laundry all over the floor. The pantry has no organization to it whatsoever, and there are cat toys all over the living room floor.

Type A: I can't stand it when the stray bowls (the ones I can't get my husband to get rid of) get mingled in with the bowls that go with our dish sets (we actually have three different dish sets--that's drives me a little bonkers too). I like the glassware lined up very neatly and orderly. And it drives me crazy when the dishwasher isn't loaded in an organized manner.

Type B: If I send out invites for a party and nobody can make it--no problem. I'm fine with canceling or just having a small gathering.

Type A: It drives me crazy when they don't tell me whether they can make it or not. I wish I could remove the "maybe" button on the Facebook invites. Just tell me "yes" or "no" so I can PLAN!

Type B: I run slow. I don't like that I'm a slow runner, but I've learned that trying to run fast just isn't enjoyable for me. It takes the fun out of exercise--and if I don't enjoy it, I won't do it.

Type A: Even though I know I will never be a competitive runner, it really bogs me down when I don't beat my last time. I hate that my pace has slowed over the last several years, and I can't seem to get that old pace back again--no matter how hard I try.

Type B: I'm okay with other people running late unless it's to the point of total disrespect.

Type A: I cannot be late. Not even two or three minutes late. Tardiness in myself is unacceptable.

I could go on and on with examples of my mixed up personality. I guess most people are a blend of personality types. The older I get, the more I am coming to terms with my Type A personality traits. In fact, the older I get the more Type A traits I must assume in order to function (i.e. making lists, keeping a calendar).

So Maria, this is for you: My name is J.J. and I have a Type A (partly Type A) personality.
(It really bugs me that I can't get the graphic in this blog to line up neatly with the first line of text).