Feel the urge to buy new duds to wear even though I know quite well that I have something that I can work with at home. The sales stare me in the face practically yelling out to buy something immediately or ‘lose out on an opportunity of a lifetime’ (the slogan) - I take the bait.
Walk into a high-end shop that has enviable clothes available for all shapes and sizes. I try out the outfit so dear to my heart. It fit perfectly and enhanced all the positives! Hello darling where have you been all my life? I exclaim quietly. Did I blurt that out aloud, I wonder.
Act nonchalant but the salesgirl who gets this attitude from everyone has lined up a couple more for me to try. She thinks she has won me over with her exuberance. I do not let on that I am just window-shopping. Try out the next couple of outfits, which are as amazing as the first. I feel great.
Damn it, why did I fall into this trap I ask myself. Because you cannot walk away says a voice. I say I can and try to walk away but the mirror has me entranced. I have to buy the lot.
Leave the trial room and the girl waiting on me asks if I want all the outfits. I tell her that I need to figure it out because this is way over my budget. I can hear the voices in my head screaming that I need to buy… don’t give in… buy… don’t give in… and so on. Without saying another word, for fear she will hear them too, I pay the bill and walk away. The voices subside.
The girl looked happy. My bank balance not.
I walk down the road head toward the car. I look away from my usual haunts. The big bold letters yelling out 50% off on all shoes has me entranced! I am afraid my willpower has left me for someone else. Tell myself that I am just going to pop in, try out just a few and walk away.
I am pretty sure that the same salesgirl works here too or she has come along with the voices in my head. I try out a pair or two and walk out with five pairs of crazy amazing shoes. The bank balance is nearing zero. I am out of control I admonish myself. I ignore the shops and their signs screaming discounts galore.
Oh wait, I really need to buy deodorant, some nail polish, mascara, moisturizer, cream, powder and shampoo. The shop is aflutter with the ‘buy one get one’ offers. I ignore them, walk across and select the products I need. The lady at the billing counter enquires if I would like to become a member. Apparently if I join, I am assured of freebies every month. What kind of freebies I ask, they promise lipstick, gloss, eyeliner, powder, the works. What is the price I enquire, just 365 per year madam they reply. Sure I reply and join the club, get a hamper of the goodies on joining. That was a deal I pat myself on the back on my way to the car.
Dammit I need to fill petrol and I have no money. Let it be the voices say, use the credit card. But… they are nearly maxed out. It doesn’t matter, you need to get home, don’t you? I fill petrol and zip back.
Slip into one of the outfits, slap on the makeup, dress up the hair and I am good to go. The family looks great with everyone wearing their best new clothes and shoes (yes I bought something for them too – good kind me) and we hurry out to the party. Everyone oohs and aahs at our clothes… and all of us look at each other with the usual ‘oh this was just something that we had in the cupboard’. The moral, love it or hate it, there really is nothing quite like shopping.
Just your average day in the life of a shopaholic – did I hear someone say me too? Welcome to the club sister!
Xo my darlings, until the next shopping expedition!
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