Confessions
Hello!
I am starting this blog as a way to discuss my shopaholic tendencies and figure out the root cause of why I want to buy certain things. I buy items for these reasons:
1) I have a true need (often very rare)
2) The advertising/packaging tells a story that is appealing to me
3) Other people are talking about it and I don't want FOMO
4) Buying this item will be the answer to my problem; I'll transform into a person who will use the product to its fullest or the item expresses who I truly am.
Most of my purchasing is done for want of something. I cannot remember the last time I truly purchased something that I needed. My shopping is so displaced and insane that I often put off buying things that I need and use on a daily basis so I can spend it on more frivolous things. I've tried to channel my purchasing into buying more high quality items that I need, but I end up just spending more money trying more expensive things out that I don't actually care about.
I'm in the process of purging quite a few things from my apartment so I'm hopeful that taking the time to think about why I am getting rid of these things will help me question future purchases. My purchasing weaknesses are:
1) Makeup (I'm actually getting better about this one)
2) Clothing (living in Chicago with its many seasons makes this really hard for me)
3) Shoes
I enjoy buying makeup because it is a type of self-care that I enjoy. I actually don't wear that much makeup when all is said and done, but I do love to purchase it and use it. My true weakness is eyeshadow palettes. I've finally maxed out my storage for them and made myself get rid of quite a few. I'm going to take them to work for some of my co-workers to look through and see if they would like them. It is going to be hard, but I already feel less guilt about the size of my collection. My other makeup weakness is liquid lipstick, lip gloss, and the like, but I do find that much easier to get rid of than eyeshadow palettes. They are easier to replace if I throw them away and are just not as expensive.
Clothing is something I struggle with because I feel like I haven't quite figured out my style just yet. Sometimes I'm a tomboy who wears jeans, button-ups, and boots. Other times it is dress all day, everyday. Or because I ride my bike to work and workout, I'm also into fitness apparel. I think having so many different "sides" to me makes it hard to really narrow out one style. Something that messes me up is that I really enjoy funky clothing, but I end up spending a large part of my day receiving compliments or having to talk to people who are interested in my outfit. It is fine, but I am an introvert and I just don't really enjoy that. I also have a tendency to purchase the same item in multiple colors or the same color because I think it is going to become my new go-to. It is often not. Ideally, I would like my closet to be made of well constructed pieces that are pseudo mod/retro with a slight military look. I want to look like I could both be Peggy Carter or Kylo Ren. Hence the problem.
I struggle with shoes because I have huge feet and I am on my feet for a large portion of my day. I have gotten better about my shoe purchases because I have been buying FitFlops. FitFlops seem to be a pretty good fit for my feet, so for the most part I am happy with them. I don't care too much about my shoes looking flattering or attractive with my clothes because my feet just hurt too much for me to care. When I do purchase tennis shoes, I do purchase a black shoe with a white sole. It just looks clean and classy to me.
What trips me up in regards to these areas are that I really enjoy licensed collaborations waaaaay too much. Like, give me something that has Marvel/Star Wars/Disney or other "nerd" things and I will buy all of it. I love that kind of stuff, but it also doesn't lend well to that "Peggy Ren" look I referred to earlier. I need to figure out a way to reduce what I appreciate about all of those aesthetics and figure out subtle ways to introduce the things I love without it being a tank top with "Mother of Dragons" written across it.
I am planning to use this blog as a way to discuss each item I want to purchase in detail. I'm not a complete impulse shopper- I do think about things for a decent amount of time before purchasing. It will be a great way to analyze why I want an item and how I expect it to work into my life going forward. I will address the following things:
1) Is the price a motivating factor?
2) Is it limited edition?
3) What attracts me to this item?
4) How will using it alter my daily life?
5) Do I have something similar already? How do I feel about that item? Do I use it very often?
6) Is it timeless or of the moment?
7) Could you DIY a similar item with things you already have?
8) Is the story behind the item driving your purchase instead of the item? Can the item stand on its own? Can you create a story about a similar item you already have that will feel more authentic?
9) Is this item standalone or will you feel the need to collect multiple versions or accessories for it?
10) Would you be embarrassed or proud for someone to comment on or ask for detailed information about the item?
At the end of the day, I totally have a shopping problem that I need to address. In the moment, purchasing things makes me feel better, but in the long run, it makes me feel terrible. When I feel terrible, instead of taking the time to address the issue, I purchase something else for a quick fix. I was conditioned to do this, but I also have done nothing to really address it myself. I just need to take a hard look at myself and the things I have and realize that the things don't make the person- the life they lead and the things and people they love do.
I am starting this blog as a way to discuss my shopaholic tendencies and figure out the root cause of why I want to buy certain things. I buy items for these reasons:
1) I have a true need (often very rare)
2) The advertising/packaging tells a story that is appealing to me
3) Other people are talking about it and I don't want FOMO
4) Buying this item will be the answer to my problem; I'll transform into a person who will use the product to its fullest or the item expresses who I truly am.
Most of my purchasing is done for want of something. I cannot remember the last time I truly purchased something that I needed. My shopping is so displaced and insane that I often put off buying things that I need and use on a daily basis so I can spend it on more frivolous things. I've tried to channel my purchasing into buying more high quality items that I need, but I end up just spending more money trying more expensive things out that I don't actually care about.
I'm in the process of purging quite a few things from my apartment so I'm hopeful that taking the time to think about why I am getting rid of these things will help me question future purchases. My purchasing weaknesses are:
1) Makeup (I'm actually getting better about this one)
2) Clothing (living in Chicago with its many seasons makes this really hard for me)
3) Shoes
I enjoy buying makeup because it is a type of self-care that I enjoy. I actually don't wear that much makeup when all is said and done, but I do love to purchase it and use it. My true weakness is eyeshadow palettes. I've finally maxed out my storage for them and made myself get rid of quite a few. I'm going to take them to work for some of my co-workers to look through and see if they would like them. It is going to be hard, but I already feel less guilt about the size of my collection. My other makeup weakness is liquid lipstick, lip gloss, and the like, but I do find that much easier to get rid of than eyeshadow palettes. They are easier to replace if I throw them away and are just not as expensive.
Clothing is something I struggle with because I feel like I haven't quite figured out my style just yet. Sometimes I'm a tomboy who wears jeans, button-ups, and boots. Other times it is dress all day, everyday. Or because I ride my bike to work and workout, I'm also into fitness apparel. I think having so many different "sides" to me makes it hard to really narrow out one style. Something that messes me up is that I really enjoy funky clothing, but I end up spending a large part of my day receiving compliments or having to talk to people who are interested in my outfit. It is fine, but I am an introvert and I just don't really enjoy that. I also have a tendency to purchase the same item in multiple colors or the same color because I think it is going to become my new go-to. It is often not. Ideally, I would like my closet to be made of well constructed pieces that are pseudo mod/retro with a slight military look. I want to look like I could both be Peggy Carter or Kylo Ren. Hence the problem.
I struggle with shoes because I have huge feet and I am on my feet for a large portion of my day. I have gotten better about my shoe purchases because I have been buying FitFlops. FitFlops seem to be a pretty good fit for my feet, so for the most part I am happy with them. I don't care too much about my shoes looking flattering or attractive with my clothes because my feet just hurt too much for me to care. When I do purchase tennis shoes, I do purchase a black shoe with a white sole. It just looks clean and classy to me.
What trips me up in regards to these areas are that I really enjoy licensed collaborations waaaaay too much. Like, give me something that has Marvel/Star Wars/Disney or other "nerd" things and I will buy all of it. I love that kind of stuff, but it also doesn't lend well to that "Peggy Ren" look I referred to earlier. I need to figure out a way to reduce what I appreciate about all of those aesthetics and figure out subtle ways to introduce the things I love without it being a tank top with "Mother of Dragons" written across it.
I am planning to use this blog as a way to discuss each item I want to purchase in detail. I'm not a complete impulse shopper- I do think about things for a decent amount of time before purchasing. It will be a great way to analyze why I want an item and how I expect it to work into my life going forward. I will address the following things:
1) Is the price a motivating factor?
2) Is it limited edition?
3) What attracts me to this item?
4) How will using it alter my daily life?
5) Do I have something similar already? How do I feel about that item? Do I use it very often?
6) Is it timeless or of the moment?
7) Could you DIY a similar item with things you already have?
8) Is the story behind the item driving your purchase instead of the item? Can the item stand on its own? Can you create a story about a similar item you already have that will feel more authentic?
9) Is this item standalone or will you feel the need to collect multiple versions or accessories for it?
10) Would you be embarrassed or proud for someone to comment on or ask for detailed information about the item?
At the end of the day, I totally have a shopping problem that I need to address. In the moment, purchasing things makes me feel better, but in the long run, it makes me feel terrible. When I feel terrible, instead of taking the time to address the issue, I purchase something else for a quick fix. I was conditioned to do this, but I also have done nothing to really address it myself. I just need to take a hard look at myself and the things I have and realize that the things don't make the person- the life they lead and the things and people they love do.
Comments
Post a Comment