My initial inclination was to avoid temptation altogether- stay away from my favorite boutiques, un-bookmark all my favorite online stores, and keep a good 5 miles between me and any given mall. Good old-fashioned avoidance would surely work. But inevitably I had to end up in or near a store at some point. That point in time arrived all too soon last week. My best friend had an audition for an acting role as a 70s cheerleader and needed help pulling something together. Being her best friend and a stylist made me the obvious person to turn to for help, even though I’d never technically spent a day in the 70s. ‘How bad could a vintage shop be?’ I thought. ‘Surely they won’t be able to tempt me with their disco-era moth-eaten polyester.’ How bad you ask? Very, very bad.
Turns out even second-hand isn’t so bad when you’re in a self-imposed anti-shopping hell. (Looking back, the phrase ‘any port in a storm’ comes to mind.) I tried on three fur coats and clutched a patchwork handbag against my body as if my heart would literally stop if I lost my grip. In the end I loosened my death grip and walked away without any purchases, but not without seriously reconsidering my vow of shopping celibacy. The good news is I now know where to get a great fur coat in September and that I was knocked off my ivory designer tower and shown the potential of second-hand shops. The bad news is that literally nowhere is safe.
Eff. This little endeavor might be more difficult than I’d anticipated.
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Congratulations, Katy, on staying strong! It’s not easy going to the store during the diet.
the consignment/vintage shopping experience is a bigger sacrifice for me than going to mainstream stores. I LOVE vintage store clothes. They are so much more interesting and colorful and unique. I have in the past frequently sold my unused clothes and then picked up a couple of “new to me” items. It is very addictive. My saving grace right now is that I’m new to this area and don’t know where they all area. So to help keep the pledge, I have to just not look for them for awhile. The 5 mile radiance plan is a good one. Hopefully I won’t inadvertently come across one, else I will likely end up in a similar situation!
Good girl! I’m proud of you for staying strong.
Wow, you actually TRIED ON clothing and were STILL able to walk away without making a purchase?! Now THAT’S willpower! Congratulations… stay strong and keep working that avoidance angle… it’s less painful that willpower!
So inspired by you Katy!! You are kicking butt at this!