Organized Planners vs. Flexible Free Spirits

Most of the time, I feel like a fun-sucking wiener. Yeah, that's right, a fun-sucking kosher hotdog. The reason I feel this way, is because I am usually surrounded by whimsical people who think planning and organization is overrated and a waste of time. If I had a nickle for every time the phrase "Just go with the flow" was said to me, I'd be rich.

I have always been fascinated with personality tests. In college I took the Myers Briggs (I am ISFJ) and Strengths Finder test. As a young bride, I took the Love Languages test. (Click on the test names to take the tests yourselves! There is not one for Strengths Finder as you need to pay for the access code, but you could buy the book to get one.) I know that I am an organized, empathetic person who appreciates order and planning. I show I care through acts of service and truly believe that it is the thought that counts.

The problem occurs when there is a clash of personalities. Generally organized planners tend to take everyone into consideration while flexible, on-the-go folks think about the here and now and what would be fun. Flexible free spirits think that organized planners are merely workhorses who trade in fun for schedules. Organized planners think that flexible free spirits are . . . well . . . rude. However, both groups of people are important and help each other be more well rounded.

I do appreciate those free spirits friends who gently try to introduce me to their crazy, whimsical world. All while getting teased about me not having a plan. There was an episode of Friends where Phoebe is asked if she has a plan and she replies that she doesn't even have a "pl-." Sometimes it is okay to not even have a "pl-" . . . like once a year.

Haircuts

January first. It is a time for resolutions. It is a time for turning over a new leaf. Troy and I are personally attending our own Fat Camp due to all the delicious Chicago dishes we enjoyed while home during the Christmas holiday. However, I decided that I wanted to ring in the new year with a new haircut. Nothing drastic, just wanted to clean up those pesky split ends and add some swoopy bangs to change things up a bit since I am too chicken to lose any significant length to my hair.

I love getting haircuts. Love them. As I was in the stylist's chair enjoying her tame my mane, I decided that if I were a millionaire, I would get my hair done every week. At first, I was thinking I would do it everyday, but then I worried that I wouldn't appreciate it as much, so I bumped it back to every week. It was during this epiphany that I also decided there are four main parts to the haircut process that make the event fantastic all the way through.

1. The Wash. If I had to choose my most favorite part of a hair cut, it would be in the beginning when the stylist is washing my hair. You walk over to the chair and after a few minor, yet awkward adjustments, you are finally comfortably sitting in the chair with your hair cascading over the sink. She turns on the water and begins to soak your hair. "How's the temperature?" she asks. You reply it is great and hope that she won't yak your ear off so you can fully enjoy the hands of someone else doing the mundane task of washing your hair that is never as enjoyable when you do it yourself. When the water gets turned off, you heart sinks a little knowing that you'll have to wait until your split ends wreck havoc on your hair again to enjoy the next head massage.

2. The Cut. I love this part because the stylist is constantly combing your hair as she snips away. I am also slightly fascinated by the amount of hair that ends up on the floor. She will take a section of hair, comb it away from your head, inspect the ends, snip-snip-snip, and then she will shake your hair out to see how it lands. It doesn't feel as nice as the wash, but I am still a fan.

3. The Style. When all the cutting is done, out comes the hair dryer and brush. This part is great because I hate blow drying my hair. It is time consuming and I usually start sweating which makes me feel like washing my hair was a compete waste of time, so I really enjoy someone else doing this for me. When the hair is dry, the stylist will either curl or straighten my hair. This part always makes me think of when I was in the first grade and all the girls would play with each others hair during the read aloud time. Then my teacher, Miss Norris, would say, "Girls, this is not a beauty parlor." Except that now I am in a beauty parl0r, so I enjoy the stylist fixing my hair and think about how I can't get in trouble with Miss Norris now.

4. The Swagger. The stylist hands you a mirror to see the back of your hair, and after you approve the work, you collect your things and pay. Then comes the swagger. This is the part when you walk out of the salon and to your car like you are a movie star because you know your hair looks awesome. If you happen to be wearing sunglasses, you may even be wondering if onlookers are currently mistaking you for a celebrity. Probably. I mean, look at you. You're a stone, cold fox . . . and you know it.

Of course the next time you wash your hair, it never looks as good as when you left the salon, but alas, it is only 6-8 weeks (or in my case, 12-14 weeks) when you will visit the salon again and revisit the best parts about a hair cut: the wash, the cut, the style and the swagger.