28 Days Later: The Horror Of Returns

Welcome back,

My blog isn't normally a place where I rant. Well, this isn't really a rant more of an observation. My best friend and I were talking about my weird shopping habits. I don't try things on, I don't ask shop assistants for help, I don't ask my friends' advice and I don't do returns, ever. I don't know why exactly...just all of these things that come hand and hand in shopping freak me out. I just don't like doing them. Anyway I wanted to talk about the stages of returning an item and the horror about policies and statuary rights that really makes me feel like I am in a horror film. Welcome to 28 days later, the aftermath of your impulsive shop.

1. DENIAL.
This is the stage that is the easiest. Normally this denial comes with items that do not fit properly. I try them on at home and look in the mirror and think... it looks a little weird here but it'll do, I mean I don't mind my body looking a little odd when I like the idea of these clothes- actually I look good, I like these clothes. Or if its shoes my mind works a little like this: I don't mind squeezing my foot into this prison of a shoe and not being able to walk- they look cute, comfort is not important. You know what I am a warrior and I can stand this pain if my feet look this awesome. 

Oh how naive you are past-tense me, you are about to embark on a journey of which there is no return.    

2. ACCEPTANCE/REALISATION.
To me, acceptance that an item isn't what you envisioned is the most sad realisation. This is when I realise no it won't do, my hips look like the size of China and I cannot walk without being in searing pain or looking like a penguin. Great. I look in the mirror and wish I had not been given my body as it seems clothes I like are not made to suit it. Dammit. That's when it hits me. I stop feeling sorry for myself and feel a wave of panic and fear lap over me.

I have to do the unspeakable and return the item.

3. THE JOURNEY.
Whether the item has been brought online or at store I still have to make my way to the post office or said shop. I clear my schedule so I can deal with this abhorrent task and I can guarantee you that every obstacle possible will be in my way to get to my destination. I can feel my adrenaline pumping and my mind ticking over about what I am going to say when I get there. But then my train of thought is cut dead in its tracks as an overwhelming feeling of anger erupts when I witness the huge line of people.

Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.

4. THE BATTLE.
I finally get to the front of the line! It is my turn to get a step closer to returning that accursed impulsive buy. I can feel everyone else in the line staring at the back of my head thinking- great...what is she doing...hurry up. At this point I try to look behind me to assure my fellow shoppers that I am indeed trying to make this process as painless and as fuss free as possible however instead of understanding nods being exchanged I am confronted with the stank face. Fabulous. The clerk or sales assistant will then proceed to ask a million questions about the item that I just don't know. I am awkward and start spurting out yes and no answers to open ended questions whilst stank face behind me starts huffing at my incompetence at being a human. Now I hate returns and people. To top that all off if I am at the post office I have to pay an obscene amount to return some ill-fitted item. Again, I am investing in something I quite obviously do not want.

5. THE AFTERMATH. 
You walk away from the counter and you say it's finally over. A warm calming energy comes over you and you feel safe, that is, unless your at the post office. Then you realise you will have to wait for the item to be returned to the retailer and are still out of pocket for the product and the postage. Wow. Will it be returned within the returns policy notice period? There is nothing to do but hope, only hope.

*I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I did writing it. Just a little note this post was just for a little bit of fun. Obviously I am not saying this is the most horrific thing to happen in the world. Its just a bit of fun.

*CIAO*

Misconceptions of an Introvert.

Welcome back.

I haven't posted in a little while but if I am honest it is because I haven't felt very inspired lately. At the moment I don't feel very fashion forward or feel very much into my beauty regimes. I just feel thoughtful. So I figured the best thing to do would be to let my thoughts out on here. 

Lately I have been thinking a lot about my personality and the misconceptions that come along with it. I always knew that I was a rather withdrawn person, especially in new situations. However it wasn't until I took the Myers Briggs personality test that I found I was truly introverted, massively. For those of you that don't know what the Myers Briggs test is, it is basically a personality test that defines four aspects of your personality and the outcome is one of 16 personalities. Anyway, if you want to know more you could probably Google it. 

The traditional definition of introvert is a term to describe someone whose motives and actions are directed inwards. Introverts also seem to be more preoccupied with their own thoughts and feelings. That is me. Through and through. However growing up introverted I have found that there are a lot of things that people don't really understand about me. I am not speaking for all introverts, these misconceptions I have encountered could also be caused by other elements of my personality, I'm not entirely sure, I am not a psychologist, just a girl with a passion for the mind who has a blog. Nonetheless I have created this list for fellow introverts to enjoy, also for extroverts who want to know why we (well mainly I) can be so strange.

Before we begin I just to lighten up this post a little. Throughout you will find some simple illustrations that I personally think help explain introversion or I just think are slightly amusing. Enjoy! 

1. I DO ENJOY BEING SOCIABLE.

Many people assume that introverts don't like going out with friends to have a good time. Not all introverted people are anxious of social situations. I actually really enjoy spending time with people be it at the cinema, restaurant, bar or outside. Just because I am an introvert that doesn't mean I am that person at the edge of a group nervously flicking through my phone, pretending to be busy so I do not have to involve myself. I can actually be quite the social butterfly once you get to know me.  

2. I AM NOT RUDE. I JUST HATE SMALL TALK. 

When I got to a certain age I found that many people's parents thought I that I was rude. I didn't really get this at first but now I am older I can see why. I would only speak to people (who weren't my friends) very minimally. I am not good at small talk. I am very awkward, I never know what to say and when I do say something it is almost never engaging just answering. I am not like this because I don't want to talk to you, I just cannot stand small talk. So what if the weather is beautiful outside? I promise I don't want to talk about anything too complex though, just something more interesting than the weather.  

3. I AM NOT SHY JUST SELECTIVE.
A huge misconception of introverts is that we are all incredibly shy and quiet. I can tell you, I am not a quiet person around people I am comfortable with, just ask my best friend. She will tell you I'm crazy. I'm just selective about who I completely be myself around. This is not because I don't want you as my friend. I just need a little more time to work you out and make sure that my personality won't be a shocking sight for you. Trust me this is better for both of us.

4. I DON'T HATE NOISE. I JUST HATE CHAOS.
Introverts are known for drawing their energy from alone time. Yes, I do really enjoy being by myself to re-charge but this doesn't mean that I can't work in a slightly more social, team orientated environment. I like noise whilst I work and I really enjoy working with a team. Sometimes I even think it can help me learn new things and come up with new ideas. However what I do hate with a passion is working in a chaotic environment. When things are messy, unorganised and extremely loud, quite honestly I just find this unproductive and extremely unhelpful.

5. I CAN LEAD. 

Many people often identify introverts as the followers throughout life never the leaders. But I am going to stand up for my fellow introverts and say we can lead just as well as anyone else once given the chance. This misconception of follower vs. leader comes along with the other misconceptions of being shy and unsocialable. Furthermore people assume that introverts are not assertive enough when it comes to leadership. Now, whilst we may not be very over bearing leaders we will be passionate about the project and always give it our all.

*CIAO*