Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Perfection

I know that I am the most aggravating person to go shopping with. Marcy would add an powerful "AMEN" to that if she reads this. I enjoy shopping but not the choosing and buying part. I like to wander through the shops and finger things and check out the prices and see what things are different in the shops than what I find in Japanese shops. I like window shopping. I like walking around, adding steps to my step counter. Anytime anyone suggests a trip to a store or a mall or a street fair or a second hand shop, I am raring to go! But I don't buy or if I do it is some tiny minuscule item that I have gnawed over for half an hour until the people around me are ready to scream "Just take it!" I even aggravate myself!

I needed to buy a new suitcase or two. Tetsu took two of our suitcases back to Japan. Takumi took another of my suitcases on Monday. Leiya has another of my suitcases and that left me with none. Sooo... I've had it in the back of my mind that I needed to buy a suitcase and Marcy took me to look for one at a swap meet. I don't know why I didn't buy it then. Too cheap (if there is such a thing) and I hadn't yet priced out suitcases in the stores so I didn't know what I wanted.

Looked at some of the department stores. Whew! Should have bought at the swap meet! Takes too much gas to drive back down there this weekend.

Checked out some of the local stores yesterday afternoon and yeah, I could do that. But first I wanted to see some of the other stores. In the evening I went shopping with Leiya and we went to four stores. Hey, all the stores offer basically the same things with a difference of about 10 dollars. Why the problem? Just buy it. But no, I had to pick everything up, had to tap the sides and back and see if they were sturdy, had to check the insides and ponder the differences in the pocket placements. This is only a fraction of what was whirling around in my head about a simple decision and after two hours I was tiring myself out and thinking I'd come back the next day. Do you see a pattern here? Some of my long time blog friends will recognize the same agonizing I've had over buying a dress, shoes, even fabric for quilts. I always want to and usually will back out on a purchase, talk myself out of spending the money, always think something better, cheaper, more attractive is in the next store or down the next aisle.

This is PERFECTIONISM raising its ugly head. It isn't just being frugal, unselfish, practical, careful etc. etc. I recognize it in myself but even so have trouble changing my shopping habits.

I BOUGHT the suitcases! (Leiya was very patient with me.) They will serve the purpose of carrying my things back to Japan and hopefully they'll be serviceable for the next few years. They don't have to be perfect. *************************************************************
Update on the $50 bill! The bank exchanged the puppied one for a new one! I did not explain where the damaged parts had been but even so got a few laughs from the bank teller and the bank manager.

10 comments:

Sew Create It - Jane said...

I think that's a pretty good deal on the $50...one slightly used, mangled bill for a fresh spendable one. Glad you were able to exchange it without having to explain too much ;o)

Chocolate Cat said...

What 'perfect' pretty blue suitcases. You will enjoy using them. My problem is not so much perfection as indecision! I am so worried I will make the wrong decision I have trouble making any decision at all. I am strongly trying to train my kids to not be like this at all , even though unfortuantly they are showing traits already.

Elaine Adair said...

Yes, I WAS remembering your difficulty with purchasing a dress! LOL

I've found that when I finally MAKE the decision, no more energy is wasted so just DO IT. No more thinking! Nothing is perfect, there is good and bad with any purchse. Glad you bit the bullet!

artfilstitch said...

Decisions! Decisions! Decisions!
When in doubt,Don't! Handle it once! These are just some of the things that go through my mind when shopping. Your purchase is a good choice and the color is nice. I know you will enjoy them. Glad it's over for you! :>)

Amanda said...

I don't think of it as striving for perfection, so much as having too much choice. I always get bewildered if there's too much choice. I hat shopping though, of any sort. I never go into a clothes shop or shoe shop unless I've seen what I want in the window! And I drive my husband mad too, as I so often don't buy because I don't really need it.

Amanda said...

I don't think of it as striving for perfection, so much as having too much choice. I always get bewildered if there's too much choice. I hat shopping though, of any sort. I never go into a clothes shop or shoe shop unless I've seen what I want in the window! And I drive my husband mad too, as I so often don't buy because I don't really need it.

The Calico Quilter said...

There is something worse than the indecision problem - a person who decides on purchases quickly and then see the perfect item after it's too late. From my experiece, this is a real problem with quick decision makers like me. Sometimes it's hard to live and be happy with your choice when in your head you're going "Dang! I should have gotten that one!"

Diane said...

Regarding your update on the $50.00 bill. If only they knew how you got it!!!

Like your choice for luggage.

Shelina said...

I think recognizing your traits is the first step to fixing them. :) With so many choices in the world today, this is definitely a big problem. I too used to be a perfectionist, still am in some ways. I am like that about cleaning - things are never clean enough.

I realized that not everything needs the same amount of deliberation. Sears has advertisements sometimes - where they sell good, better and best - of certain products. Sometimes good is good enough, if it is something you won't use very much. I've gotten better at deciding when something is just good enough.

meggie said...

Your new luggage looks very smart & servicable!