I have often referred to myself as a Type A personality. I even took an online quiz a while back and confirmed my status as the anal-retentive uber-organized and responsible Type A.
Shocking. Us Type A’s do not need a quiz to tell us what we already know. We are organized. We like lists. We are likely the eldest child. We also like to take quizzes to confirm things that we already know. Because apparently we need random quizzes to give us confirmation.
*Ahem*
I married another Eldest Child, who is even more uptight anal-retentive Type-A than I am.
We are awesome. We really are. All happy and smug in our responsible awesome-ness.
At least we were (or I was)…
I am an accountant by trade. Of the Chartered variety. It took me seven years and a four-day final exam, but I emerged on the other side with some pretty spectacular initials that I am honoured to throw behind my name.
Those initials have enabled me to make a fantastic wage, doing something that challenges my brain and I actually like to do. And now that I am on the education side? I can work mostly from home and be with my kids the majority of the time. Awesome. (There’s that word again)
I have often been in awe of those who are not so anal-retentive responsible as I. Those who “go-with-the-flow”, who do not seem to be so encumbered by the Rules and the Lists and the Organization.
In the last little while the creative side of me has made herself known. For so many years she lay dormant. I truly thought that she was not a part of me.
I was wrong.
Creative Me likes to write (Duh. She has a box full of journals that started around the time she was eleven.) She likes to play with pretty paper. She likes to take photos of pretty much everything.
He Who Knows Me So Well (Different than He Who Knit Me In My Mother’s Womb) started another Really Great Talk with me this week.
I have accounting work to do, in the education sector that I now work in. It pays well. Very well. It is our bread and butter as his work (the lumber industry) is in the pooper.
I have been a little unfocused during my work times.
Daydreaming.
Wishing I were writing creatively and/or taking/editing photos instead of writing course content for accounting students who already have their Bachelor of Commerce degree. I have been able to put my nose to the grindstone and get done what needs to be done, but have been distracted by things that have nothing to do with Responsibility but have everything to do with Creativity.
Honey noticed and had to ask. Did I want to pursue photography full-out? Put everything I have into it? Make it my full-time career?
The short answer?
No.
I may have recently discovered Creative Me, but she still has the smarts that Responsible Me has. We are all part of the same complex woman, after all.
I will not walk away from a career that I worked so hard to master. I will not walk away from work that makes me think, and challenges me, and that I actually enjoy. My profession also gives me the financial freedom to be able to pursue my creative ventures without breaking the bank.
Does this mean that I will not pursue photography and writing as another outlet/profession?
No.
I will keep doing the bread and butter and dabbling in the many creative opportunities that have dropped into my lap in the last little while. I may shirk some of my lesser responsibilities in order to do so, but something will have to give in order to make room (and time).
Who knows where it will all lead?
I have no inkling, but I am looking forward to the adventure.
27 Comments
Cheering you on, praying for you, being thankful you have Matthew in your life. 
bethany actually’s last blog post..And you thought you were bad
Enjoy discovering more of the Creative You…while appreciating the benefits of Responsible You. And those of us who aren’t so organized, etc., stand in awe (and irritation–at my husband, anyway) of those of you who ARE organized.
Laura’s last blog post..Am I strange?
Comment by Laura on January 27th, 2008 @ 10:22 amI have such envy of the Type A’s of the world. SUCH ENVY.
I will never be one and it sucks.
I would really consider giving up all my creativity for the ability to organize, sort, and run my life non-chaotically.
ENVY, I TELL YOU!!!!
Loralee’s last blog post..Dude. Cops must totally LOVE pulling ME over.
Comment by Loralee on January 27th, 2008 @ 10:35 amThat sounds like the perfect plan and not just because it means that I will still get to see you in person from time to time if you do keep your day job 
I really think that you are a dynamic person who needs to be doing many different things… variety is the spice of life. I love this work too but too much of a good thing, is well, still too much. It’s all about balance.
I’m emailing you with some update weekend plans!
Kami’s last blog post..The other side of the coin
Comment by Kami on January 27th, 2008 @ 10:38 amOh and the photos of the flowers… I am speechless.
THAT takes a lot to achieve!
Kami’s last blog post..The other side of the coin
Maybe with the extra money from photography, you could hire a cleaning person to relieve you of some of your to-dos?
witchypoo’s last blog post..You can see your farts
Comment by witchypoo on January 27th, 2008 @ 10:51 amyou’re right, us Type A’s don’t need a quiz to tell us that we are Type A’s!
sizzle’s last blog post..I Gave Notice
Great post and amazing picture. Aren’t you blessed (by He Who Knit You In Your Mother’s Womb) to have a man that brings up all those Great Talks and suuports your creativity
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Bits and Pieces
You are a very talented photographer Angella! I hope you can find the time and the balance in your life so you can do all that you love, while still bringing in the dough.
I am also a Type A personality with a creative side. I chose a profession where there is creativity but also I get to be super organized and responsible and technical and I love it. It’s a great balance for us Type A’s to do creative things, I think it keeps us from getting completely wound up and our brains from self destructing.
Comment by Teej on January 27th, 2008 @ 1:50 pmOnce upon a time, in the very early days of the web (like, 1994-95) my hobby was web development. And in 2001 I turned it into my full-time job and over the past couple years if feels like a huge energy suck to me. I want to reclaim the joy I felt over it, but need to figure out how to do so. Maybe it’s good to keep your “responsible” and “creative”sides a little separated so that each of them can bring you different kinds of happiness.
I am the eldest, anal-retentive, Type-A type. I married someone who was the 4th of 5 kids, a very “go-with-the-flow” type. Ultimately I think we complement each other because he can help me try to calm down a little and I can help him organize some. But there are times when we can’t understand each other at all because of the different ways our brains work.
Now that I’ve rambled on and one, I guess I’m just saying, “You inspire me!” Your creativity and balance and focus, I want to be you in a few years!
Jill - GlossyVeneer’s last blog post..Signs of the Season
Comment by Jill - GlossyVeneer on January 27th, 2008 @ 1:55 pmYou know what’s funny? Part of this post made sense to me. Okay, the whole thing made sense, but a certain part made extra sense. Noah and I are also eldest children and we’re both Type A personalities. Hm.
I say good choice on the keeping the accounting career. Sometimes (SOMEtimes) when a hobby becomes your bread and butter, the fun disappears. I hope you have fun doing it as a side job though!! That sounds like fun!
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Silent Saturday: Snow
Comment by Mrs. Wilson on January 27th, 2008 @ 2:34 pmAwesome pictures!!!
Great post, sounds like you’ve got you head on straight.
And who knows what the future holds, you have a lot of you life left to live so…
Kristin’s last blog post..Birthday Greetings!
Comment by Kristin on January 27th, 2008 @ 3:52 pmThank you for sharing bits and pieces of all sides of you on your blog. We are very lucky to see all of the creativity that is within you.
Gorgeous photos
TheAngelForever’s last blog post..They used what with 3-5 year olds?
Your last few posts have really struck a chord with me. Please don’t keep creative you hidden away
Miguelina’s last blog post..To dream…
Horray for Type A’s!!! It’s so exciting to hear of all your new adventures! Also, love the pics!
Comment by Michele on January 27th, 2008 @ 6:50 pmThe one great bonus to only being able to dabble in the creative areas is they remain a hobby and something you enjoy. Just like anything else, if they were your full time job they may or may not lose some of their excitement.
Once again, those photos are beautiful.
Ashley’s last blog post..The Great baby making factory
Comment by Ashley on January 27th, 2008 @ 10:08 pmI think I am the opposite of a type A, but I could use some once in a while.
Comment by kelly on January 27th, 2008 @ 10:52 pmStop it with the photos of daisies already! I want them all! Gah!
Congratulations on being a creative, smart, organized multi-tasker! Life sounds pretty sweet:)
Erin’s last blog post..I want, I want, I want!
Comment by Erin on January 28th, 2008 @ 9:13 amtype A as well
(i’m sure this comes as a huge shock to you! ahahaha)
ali’s last blog post..it’s not unusual?
Comment by ali on January 28th, 2008 @ 11:13 amYou make my head hurt! I am very much the fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants arsty fartsy, not organized-but really want to be, and do not understand numbers unless I can count them on my hands. I sure admire your type.
Amazing.
There is that word again.
familymclean’s last blog post..Painting, baking and running from Snowzilla
I so love that photo. It’s beautiful. I wish I half the amount of anal retentivness, organized, whatever as you.
Kristie’s last blog post..Here’s what I got!
Hey I’m finally posting a comment here! I’ve been by several times and just finally read many of your “about me” type posts! I have to say, I agree that you are living in one of the most gorgeous places in the country! We drove through there (well, if not exactly through your neck of the woods, pretty close) this past Summer on the way home (Calgary) from home (SF Bay Area) and it was just beyond me. So absolutely beautiful.
Anyways, had to comment as I am another Christian Mom living in Canada who loves photography. But not lists. I am not a list maker at all. Very go with the flow. Very third child! :^D I envy your organizational skills!
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Comment by nancypants on January 28th, 2008 @ 2:57 pmGorgeous! I am SO that way, I like alot of different things.
Comment by Kaili on January 28th, 2008 @ 9:53 pmYou are flooring me with your photos. Beautiful. Could you throw a nugget of advice my way about how you get those? How do you get the white background? Just breathtaking. I have a Canon Macro Lens EF-S 60 mm so I’m thinking I can get these type of shots..but I don’t know how to do the white background…any advice you can throw this amateur that is begging at your feet, would be appreciated
Dana’s last blog post..Real Quick
I’m a Type A as well, but also have a strong creative side. So I TOTALLY get this post!! Totally!!
Hannah’s last blog post..Moroccan Chicken
Comment by Hannah on February 2nd, 2008 @ 10:16 pm
There’s still plenty of time to do it all. I’m a lawyer, which was tough to attain, but hardly the love of my life in terms of how I’d like to spend my time. I take solace in knowing at some point, a time for something new will come. I would imagine that time will be coming sooner for you than me. It’s great that you can succeed in more than one way.
slynnro’s last blog post..Don’t let the door hit you on the….well, you know the rest.
Comment by slynnro on January 27th, 2008 @ 9:45 am