What many people do for fun, I dread. What some people have problems avoiding, I have problems actually doing. Time for confessions of a Non-Shopaholic.
Confession #1: I hate shopping. There, I said it. I broke the 2nd commandment of being a girl (commandment #1 being “Thou must be obsessed with fro-yo.” Whoops, I broke that too).
Shopping and I have a rocky history. When I was in elementary/middle school and I started actually noticing different brands and store, clothes became a competition. Not just over what I wore, but how I looked in the clothes compared to my friends. Limited Too was the first store I remember liking and when I realized that was out-of-style, I thought the logical transition was to shop at Abercrombie. But guess what happens when you’re taller and a little rounder than your friends? You don’t fit into Abercrombie & Fitch, let alone Abercrombie Kids. In middle school (hello awkward, early puberty days) I wanted all of my clothes to have a moose logo and smell like the intoxicating perfume from the store. But even wearing the clothes wasn’t enough. My stomach stuck out, the size Large shirts were too tight and I couldn’t get my arms through certain sweaters. Clothes (and shopping) became so stressful. I wanted something that was in-style and that I looked good in.
But guess what happens during puberty? Surprise, our bodies change. Suddenly everything fit me differently. Yet still somehow, my previous “complaints” were replaced by new issues. “My boobs are too small,” “My thighs are wide but my butt is flat,” and so on and so on. Nothing, even the most expensive outfit, was ever perfect. I hated wearing certain clothes, therefore, I hated shopping for clothes.
I’m almost 20 years old and I still have issues shopping. I have “goals” for my body, and even though they have nothing to do with losing weight (I want to gain some upper-body muscle and fat, fyi), I’m still self-conscious. But because wearing workout clothes and sweats is not appropriate for everyday, I was forced bribed to go shopping this past weekend.
As I tried on clothes, some I liked some I didn’t, I realized (duh!) that no matter my size, as long as I’m healthy, I should rock my body. The body I have NOW. Not 10 lbs (up or down) from now, not a bra size from now, not a pant size/shirt size/shoe size/underwear size/sock size from now. Now, now…right this very minute.
Shopping shouldn’t be so stressful (unless you’re talking about prices, then feel free to stress away like I do). It should really just be another time to remind ourselves that we are awesome and we have awesome bodies. No matter the brand, style or size of clothes, wear what you love and OWN IT.
What was your favorite store growing up? Now?
Shopping lovers? Haters?
Our morning sessions featured presentations from different departments of the company (Marketing, Sales and HR) and, before we broke for lunch, we had the pleasure of listening to the CEO and Founder Daniel Lubetzky speak. Daniel may have been one of the most inspiring individuals I’ve ever met. His dreams and vision for the KIND and how we can change the world makes me so excited and proud to work for this company.
I loved how all the major stores were concentrated in one area so I could hit a bunch of places in a shorter time. I never made it to The Bean because my feet were not happy in my sandals, but I heard that’s a cool/touristy site.