I can’t decide if my Type A personality is an asset or a handicap. Admittedly, it’s come in handy lately: in addition to an always-demanding job, I’ve been trying to coordinate a vacation AND prep my place to go on the market.
I know, there’s not much pity for someone coordinating a vacation – but this one is surprisingly mentally taxing, considering it’s a beach vacation. Next week we’re going to Captiva Island, which is just off the coast of Florida and accessible only by boat. That’s what makes it a bit of a logistical challenge – in addition to packing, we need to coordinate a ride from the airport to the marina, a water taxi to get us to the island, a golf cart to pick us up and shuttle us to the house – and we need to pick up groceries from Publix along the way.
(Admittedly, the groceries thing doesn’t sound difficult, but consider this: you can’t actually go in the store. You have to fax a grocery list 72 hours in advance and let someone else shop for you. As a proud bearer of OCD, it’s incredibly hard to realize that someone else will be selecting my steaks. Also factor in my tendency to operate exclusively off minute-by-minute food cravings, and you’ll start to understand my challenge with this system.)
So I’ve been working through all those details while simultaneously coordinating painters, decluttering (which means multiple runs to a storage unit), writing copy for a brochure, snapping photos on sunny days, signing listing agreements, scouring my place, recaulking my tub, and previewing condos that might be options if/when my place sells. My place will “go live” two days before I leave for vacation, which – according to Murphy’s Law – should mean that I’ll end up with an offer to derail the tranquility of my vacation.
Speaking of vacation, that’s where my Type A tendencies might just be a liability. So far everything I’ve written in this post makes my mad organizational skills sound like an asset, right? Well, so here’s the slightly-crazy twist to all this: What if I told you my suitcase was ALREADY PACKED for a vacation that won’t commence for another six days? Does that mean I’ve officially lost it, or that I’m appropriately excited to go off the grid for a week?
I’m voting it’s still within bounds. When I start creating the photo albums for my trips BEFORE I actually take them, I’ll be willing to admit I’ve crossed the line.
pithypants 
Sometimes I feel like I don’t even know you. How did we live together when I’m the girl who packs with an hour left before it’s time to head out?
My Type A-ness has progressed with age. I wasn’t always this bad. I dread what I’ll be at 80. Maybe we balance each other out? 🙂
Why can’t you go in the grocery store?
It’s all about speed. We pay a flat rate to get shuttled from the airport to the marina and will get charged by the minute if we stop and shop.