Being mad about it won't get you your money back. (A Denver Stylist Thoughts)
We are on day 4 and have finished her first closet. I mean, her closet is about the size of my daughters bedroom, but it still took 4 sessions to get through it all.
We made sure everything fits-TODAY- and that she really, really likes it and it's not just ok.
AKA-meh. AKA-shrug-good enough.
Her husband requested an itemized donation list, so as we go though and price it out, it becomes a very large number. Obviously, since it was a very large pile.
What do you think was the first thing she said?
I have been in a position of purging shopping mistakes and size changes and my first thought was “ugh-what a waste” or “It was so expensive-I'll find a way to wear it”. Whatever it was I felt, it had a hefty dose of shame.
My client sighed…and said “well, it's money spent, can't get it back, now I know not to buy V-neck Tee shirts”.
She saw the lesson learned and moved on.
Ever heard of the sunk cost fallacy? It's defined as the phenomenon whereby a person is reluctant to abandon a strategy or course of action because they have invested heavily in it, even when it is clear that abandonment would be more beneficial.
It's money that is already spent and cannot be recovered.
Hmmmm- would it be beneficial to you to let go of the pieces that make you feel guilty everytime you see them?
(trick question😉)
I have found as I've gotten older, I have less patience to mess around with this. I used to finish a book because I started it. Now, I'll read to about 30% and if it's not my jam, I'm done.
Have you ever walked out of a movie before? I only have once, it was back in the 90's, called Leaving Las Vegas. The first 10 minutes were so incredibly depressing, we left.
Ever eaten way too much at a brunch buffet because it was expensive and you wanted to get your money's worth? Yeah-I used to as well. 😬
We do it in business, friendships, hobbies…it's a natural reaction.
But it doesn't have to stay that way.
So back to your closet…if this is coming from a place of feeling wasteful, let's imagine another women being blessed beyond belief with the very thing that causes you angst.
If you're feeling guilty about your enthusiastic shopping habits, let's look at those pieces and find the lessons so you can be a much more intentional shopper.
Shifting the focus from the past mistake to the future benefit is the only way to beat this.
A small local organization receives lovely donations they can get in the hands of women who need them.
You feel better because it's out of your space and not making you feel guilty.
Everybody wins!
(If you need some ideas on donation spots, let me know, I've got several on my list.)