With my Christmas money, I decided that I was going to purchase myself some new knives. Though it may not seem so on the surface, this was a momentous decision. Scoot close to your computer, and I will tell you why:
I, the grown up, thirty year old, completely independent, living in San Francisco woman was subconsciously waiting until I get married until I allowed myself the luxury of having great knives!
For the past several years, I have been using a set of serrated knives that I bought at the State Fair for $20. My friend Jen and I watched one of those demos where the guy cuts through everything, and we were suckered in. But I digress ...
This decision to not have great knives was completely subconscious. I love cooking and every time I am in my kitchen, I would curse my knives - they became an obstacle to enjoying being in the kitchen.
If it had been anything else in my life ... a ripped piece of clothing, a broken piece of electronic equipment ... I most likely would have replaced it quickly. But this was different. Knives are something that I associate with marriage and wedding registries. Every newly married couple that I know (and believe me there are quite a few of them) has a butcher block full of gleaming shiny new knives. Instead of just fixing the problem and purchasing them, it was almost as if there was something I had to overcome first.
I got over it by making fun of the whole notion to myself:
"Don't worry Jen, just because you are (gasp!) buying knives for yourself doesn't mean you will never get married."
"Buying knives? What's next? Turning into a spinster with 30 cats?"
You get the idea.
I have a feeling I am not alone. How many of you did not have a really good set of knives, or a complete set of plates, or a decent pot or pan until you got married? How many of us have subconsciously put off getting major appliances or a nice set of wine glasses, thinking that we will register for that when we get married?
So if you are single and independent, do me a favor: Sometime this year, buy yourself something that one would usually register for. A nice set of towels, a toaster, a really great skillet. The time is now. And it feels really great.
