I come from a large family of 6 kids. Three girls and then three boys. We were often the recipients of large donations of clothing. Big black bags would be anonymously dropped at our door and it would cause a frenzy of excitement and jockeying for dibs. We’d call it outloud. More like scream it. It was a visceral race to be first or second. Third was unnecessary to verbalize but we still did though with less enthusiasm.
My sisters and I were close in age and close in sizes so having the opportunity to be first meant you shopped the bags in an unhurried fashion while the others patiently waited.
Being first, though it was the best, was also an exercise of self control. You couldn’t be greedy and take it all. So, you needed to be choosy and quick for there were two more eager shoppers on your heels. Watching your every move.
Being second, meant you could relax into the process. The frenzy was over. You could slow down and enjoy perusing the options. Again, being cognizant that you must leave something for the third shopper.
This experience has shaped my shopping DNA. In fact, I hate to shop. I avoid it mostly. Clothes just come to me. I find them effortlessly. I know what I'm looking for and they’re not hard to find. I am choosy.
I have friends whose shopping DNA involves hunting and gathering with legendary tales of victorious low prices. Their success has lured me at times to “try again” to look for the deals. But it never feels right. I don’t have the drive. It’s so much work. The competition is fierce. The jockeying is reminiscent of the big black bags.
I avoid frenzied shopping. I won’t dig. I don’t care about getting a deal. I’d rather wait.
I love to walk into a store where they ask my name and start a room for me. Where once I take my clothes off she does the running to get different sizes and styles to suit me.
I refuse to go to the shops where I get frisked on my way into the dressing room. If there’s a shopping cart, it’s a hard pass.
Hit reply and tell me your shopping DNA. Knowing it will help you to enjoy the process of curating a wardrobe you love!
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