Sunday, November 25, 2007

Type A personality? Moi?

I was browsing this article on ideas for gifts, and the knitting section caught my eye because I learned how to knit earlier this year. It was because Sylvia wanted to learn, so I went to this mini-clinic to learn for her, and ended up falling in love with it. The article stated that knitting is perfect for Type A personalities that have to have everything their way. Ouch!
Okay, yes, I admit it. I like things my way. But here's what I don't get: are there really people on Earth who don't like things their way when possible? I know some people can be fairly easy-going about things, but can you seriously tell me that they'd rather not have things go their way? That takes masochism to a whole new level.
I think - and if this smacks of rationalization then so be it - that people who don't have any idea of what they want are in a more difficult position than those who do know what they want. And, believe it or not, I can relate. I'm currently going through an early (well, at least I think it's early) mid-life crisis still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I can't say it's any less frustrating to not know what I want than to not get what I want.
Knitting is a perfect antidote to life for me. I still have some control - and there's no one I can blame but myself when things don't turn out right - but my mind only needs to be somewhat engaged. Never good at standing still completely, it gives me something to do with my hands. And completing a project successfully gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Once you're out of school, there are so few moments to feel that pride of accomplishment. With kids, just as you've accomplished one hurdle, another one's staring you in the face. At work, the euphoria of a completed project lasts about 5 minutes before you're onto the next one. The home never stays completely clean, and the laundry is never done. And I was a good student, too! I loved those A's, those Antioch assessments tailored just for me!
I really enjoy being a novice knitter, too. I don't expect perfection from myself on this, and every finished project is an accomplishment in and of itself.
I may be the lady protesting too much here, but I also think the person who wrote that article has some serious issues that don't need to be taken out on knitters or Type A personalities!

3 comments:

LunaNik said...

huh...never thought about this but you are so right...who DOESN'T want things their way?? i've never tried knitting but i've heard great things about it. maybe taking up knitting can help me quit smoking? hmmmm....

LunaNik said...

Tag, you're it!

Just tagged you to do a meme!

Anonymous said...

Hi. Found you through Lunanik's blog and just had to comment on this. It's funny cuz the "typical" picture of a knitter I get in my head is NOT a Type A personality. I know that's so wrong, but...anyway, it's funny. I'm not so crafty, but I have lots of friends who knit and love it. Maybe I'll have to try it sometime.