Hi Shopaholic,
No this isn't a movie review on the 2009 Isla Fisher movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic." This is me, the real life version. It's not a hobby, its a lifestyle. Being a shopaholic doesn't come easy—you have to go through the process of making money, finding money or taking your parents in order to buy the clothes that I "need" or "absolutely must have." If this is you, you have at least maxed out one debit or credit card, feel guilty about buying something you shouldn't or use shopping as a way to relieve stress.
You watch the movie or read the book and see that this crazy lady finds a reason to buy everything she sees or likes, such as the green scarf from Bendel's. Suddenly you realize this crazy lady you have read or watched has become you! As a shopaholic, this becomes reality. You walk the streets and see something in a window that just has to become yours. Even worse is when you realize that you cannot, no matter what, leave a store without buying something.
You walk into Saks Fifth Avenue in the search for a pair of nylons for the night, but then you pass the shoe department and realize that your brand new pair of nude nylons need a cute pair of closed toe pumps to be put with them. This is an example of a shopping problem, knowing you need one thing, but buy another just because it is so necessary.
Did you say sale? Count me in! You know you have a shopping problem when you have all sale notifications sent directly to your phone, email and/or text messaged to you. You never turn down the chance to go to the mall with your mom or friends, and you definitely are not scared to go shopping alone. You do not need the opinion of others because you are a shopping expert. In fact, your friends go to you for fashion advise or ask you if their outfits are OK.
Do you ever look at your closet and say you have nothing to wear? No problem—as a shopaholic, you run to the closest store near you to go buy a stylish new top to make up an outfit for the day or a cute statement necklace to tie together an outfit you already own. You know your obsession with shopping is real when you go to the boutique in your town and you know the workers by name or even worse is when they know your style and size.
If you are a shopaholic, you absolutely do not know the value of money. You do not know how to save money because all you know how to do is spend it. Being a shopaholic does not mean you only spend your money on clothes, shoes and jewelry, but also food, makeup and any other material goods that you find completely necessary.
At school, I live near the great city of Chicago. North Michigan Avenue, Oak Street, Armitage Avenue, Division Street Belmont Avenue and Clark Street have become my waking grounds of stores to go in and out of. How could you not love the Magnificent Mile and all the stores it has to offer. The neighborhoods in Chicago such as Wicker Park, Bucktown, Lakeview, Lincoln Park and Old Town offer a wide range of boutiques that are almost impossible not to walk into.
My dad has always told me "Leaving the house is not a fashion show." Sorry not sorry, Dad, but everywhere you go is. When you get up in the morning and put on an outfit, you are creating an image of yourself. Being a shopaholic, you must have the latest trends hanging in your closet.
There is no need to go to shopaholics anonymous, if that actually exists, because you already know that the addiction is in fact real. Your friends borrow all of your clothes because you literally have everything! You get complimented on your outfits because you are in touch with all of the latest trends. Yes, you have a white V-neck T-shirt, but you also have it in pink, grey, blue, black, orange and every other color known to mankind. You also have at least six pairs of nude heels because, let's be real, one just isn't enough.
One may think that a shopaholic's favorite moment is buying a new item but they are actually wrong. The most amazing satisfaction a shopaholic receives is when they give a beloved item away to someone in need of it. I have always had it all, but have never been a hoarder. Growing up and being able to receive everything I could ever want or dream of has been a blessing, but I like to bless those who are less fortunate to the best of my ability. With a closet of a shopaholic, I go in and pick out the things that are not necessary or have become dated and out of style to create bags full of clothes to hand down. Being able to provide for yourself and others is one of the greatest rewards in life.
I am a shopaholic, but would never let my addiction stop others from receiving what they need.
