Permission to Disengage
You don't neeeeeeed to shop this week. And if you do, enter with care.
No shopping newsletter today. I'm caring for a loved one who is recovering from a major surgery. Thank you to the amazing doctors and nurses at University of Minnesota!!
But I figured, as I have been sitting here in a waiting room for days on end, paying closer attention to my inbox than usual, that this weekend I would leave you all with a meditation on the madness that is coming as every site/store on which you’ve ever so much as thought about clicking a single solitary link is going to try to get you to SPEND SPEND SPEND.
I have already been getting emails declaring Black Friday’s early arrival for at least two weeks. “Black Friday” is now just a month long retail pressure cooker meant to induce a panic of missing out. You know that 5 Things only endorses thoughtful purchases of awesome stuff so before you freak out next week, take a minute to think about your cart.
Five thoughts today to help you stay on the periphery:
Is this something you actually would need to buy full price anyway? (I usually buy a set of sheets and new underwear next weekend, and have been known to look for hotel deals.)
Was it something you had been pining over for ages that is finally on sale? And I don't mean the thing you wanted in black and are considering in burgundy because the seasonal shade is discounted. THE EXACT THING.
Would you wear it tonight? Stole that from Rory S.'s appearance on Fashion People and I LOVE it.
I can almost 100% guarantee these sales are going to last into the following week. "Surprise, we are extending our Black Friday deals!" said every single website of all time. SLEEP ON IT!!!!!!!
Or go full enlightenment and just don't open any email (except this one of course!) or go into any stores until the first week of December. You'll feel light! Free from the burden of Fedex tracking numbers! Arrogant, in the only way I would endorse! It's a great challenge for any of you who thrive on that kind of push (as I do.)
That's all for today. Have a very happy Thanksgiving. Wishing you and your love ones peace, health and happiness.
See you next Sunday with full bellies and zen spirits from avoiding hysterical purchases.
Yours TRULY,
Becky
I hope your loved one has a speedy recovery. I'm sure you being there is its own kind of balm. I don't know if this is appropriate to add to the Five Things chat but I came up with some brakes for myself in this season of spend, spend, spend, that I thought I'd share. I set up a daily email to myself that is just the subject line: Don't spend any money. It pops up at about 9:30 am. It doesn't mean groceries and it doesn't mean Christmas gifts - I know what it means. It's helped me turn away from all the intense marketing and released me from the usual FOMO. Food for thought! (I'll likely shut if off sometime in January!)
What will I do with my extra "Five Things" Sunday morning time? I will reread a few posts for pearls of styling wisdom.