Taking an Hermes break or just slowing down. Feel free to join or give support.

[elliesaurus]

I took a years-long break awhile back and still take mini breaks here and there (my post history is a pretty good record of these breaks). TPF is such a great resource but it sometimes feels mentally draining to read about how much people stress over getting a "quota bag". So I often take breaks from shopping and TPF altogether.

 

[luckystar07]

I would really like to slow down and be more mindful about my purchases. All things H are so beautiful and tempting that it is so hard! If anybody have any specific ideas how to accomplish it - please do share. I am thinking that getting off IG and other social media would be helpful - but would be sooo boring! Not checking H web site - would help again - but how can I resist a temptation "just to look"? Please share some helpful tips if you have any!

 

[GabrielleS]

Thank you for sharing @Love Of My Life !
Your post is spot on :
we do have a deep appreciation
for the brand in spite of the many obstacles we are subjected to & that seems to be the drawing card.

I think that is exactly that in my case.
I love the quality, the service and feel like a million bucks when I wear my leather jackets. But how many leather jacket do we need?

Putting more thought on what we really want in our life and our lifestyle is key. And I have to say I am currently redefining Who I am and What I want.

This resonates with me. How many leather jackets or anything do we need? I’d rather have an edited selection that suit my style and my lifestyle and make me feel like a million bucks and use them on repeat than buy a bunch of pretty things just because they are pretty. At a certain point, I find having too many things overwhelming.

 

[880]

For those of us who have plenty of bags and RTW already, taking breaks or slowing down is natural and expected.
I don’t sell stuff and I very rarely consign, but I have family and friends who are happy to take items that no longer suit my taste or lifestyle.

 

[momoc]

If we are being honest, of course the amount of Hermes anyone needs - as in the actual sense of that word, a need, something you actually can’t live without - is 0.

A great thread!

I have thought of maybe starting a thread about “what is the least number of bags, let’s say make them all H bags since that’s where we are, that would cover and satisfy all of the use cases / situations / functions for you, and what would they be?” But I’m not sure if a thread like that already exists because it feels like it ought to have already been asked. I think my personal number would be 3, and it wouldn’t even include a Birkin. I’m not saying how many fewer that is compared to what I actually have…🫨

 

[BirKineSS]

I’m slowing down this year because the last 4 years has given me more ‘depth’ into understanding the H game 😆 eventhough I have been collecting H since 20 years ago (back then it was as easy as buying LV bags). I do love every single items that I bought thru the process of getting the QBs ☺️ but now I’m up to the point where I have no idea what else to buy.

 

[336]

It's not fun anymore.

Queuing to spend my money, to be told that there is no stock. Scarves that are significantly thinner than previous years, with cashmere that pills. Competing with other buyers to get variations of the same bags that I already have.

 

[Chanelandco]

Thanks everyone who contributed to this thread. Iam happy to see that you find it helpfull and that it resonates to many.
I summarized below what I understood from the different post and have added some ideas. Feel free to add new ideas or how to make them feasible and viable.

Purge : get rid of what you dont use, sell or donate
Organise : making your stuff organised and visible help you see all the things you already have.
Be intentional about your purchase, take time to think about your purchase before proceeding ( decide that if you still want it after X days, then you can get it)
Make a short list of the things you really want and stick to it.
Get rid of the list if it is too long because you will be chasing the next item on the list and it will never end
Decrease your presence on social media
Make a list of the least number of bag you need. This will help you realise you have waay to many
If you only want Exceptional piece, make a list and stick to it.
Dont go to the store if you dont ´need’ anything’ because you will surely see things to buy
Talk about your willingness to slow down or take a break, with a friend, your partner, your family
Redirect your presence on this forum by helping new comers and replying to others questions when you can, that can help switching your focus to get new things
Find or rediscover a (new ) passion or something to keep you busy, happy and gratefull

 

[Chanelandco]

Something else to keep in mind, new year decisions or resolutions are difficult to maintain. 95 % of them are abandonned before the 15th of jan.. the 15th!!
We count on everyone to continue to post so that we can make this happen.
1. Define why is it important to you to slow down
2. How you can do this with specific steps
3. Get an accountability partner who can help: this thread if here for that !
4. Be kind with yourself, dont be too hard
5. Dont be too drastic, if taking a break is too drastic, decide to just slow down instead.

 

[Dreaming of H]

This thread is definitely giving 2024 energy for me! Thank you for starting it!!

Here’s to 2024 being the year of the mindful purchase and the mindful purge.

 

[CTLover]

TLDR : do you need or have to take a break from Hermes? , or do you only need to slow down? Come join and share your thoughts , feelings, or your support.

I think this thread should remain specific to Hermes Shopping and not moved to the general discussion because shopping at H is very specific.

I found myself reflecting on my last unpopular opinion and I think that it shows that I am not comfortable with the time, energy and money I spent for my H shopping in 2023.

I got an offer end of the year and wanted to slow down a bit after that.
But still, I found myself sending a text to my SA for a coat that I just saw and « need » to get.

I dont need new shoes, a coat, much more H scarves, expensive RTW, a bag or whatever right now honestly.
I mainly bought RTW last year because I wanted some nice pieces to balance my outfits. I was not buying to get a bag as I was lucky with my SA and home store, and I have a nice collection now.

I love all my H items and bags and use them often.I also love spending time shopping with my SA who is lovely.
I realised that when I am particularly stressed with work, I shop nice pieces because « I deserve it and they make me happy »

I am financially comfortable with my purchases but my funds are limited and even if they were not, I dont want to spend constantly that much at H. It is probably not a big amount for many here, but for the majority of people in real life it is huge…

For this year I would like to slow down, put less energy on shopping at H because I feel self conscious and want to focus on my business and my self development.

I know it will not be easy and I will need support because H makes beautiful things and It is difficult at times to resist . And if my SA call for something special, I might run to the store tomorrow..

Can we make this thread a place where we can support each other, without judging ?

If you want a break or slow down , just come in and share your thoughts, your feelings, or ask for advice if needed. If you are hesitant about ordering a piece, just ask for help or guidance related to the decision, not the item, the price or the redundancy with something you own already .
And if you still want to buy, It is also ok.

This is just a place for reflection, support, sharing experience…
Thanks for reading my longest post and if you have tips, I am all ears ( or eyes for reading your post)

Well, I've been a customer for over 35 years, and I've never bought just to buy. I've only ever bought what I like, can afford at that time, and will use.

 

[Chanelandco]

Well, I've been a customer for over 35 years, and I've never bought just to buy. I've only ever bought what I like, can afford at that time, and will use.

Thank you for chiming in @CTLover.

Could you kindly share with us your tips to be intentional with each purchase and not feel overwhelmed with all the beautiful things H has to offer.
How was your buying history ? Constant? Irregular ? With some breaks from time to time ? With each item bought planned beforehead?
Thanks for sharing

 

[momasaurus]

This thread is my new girl-cave. Thank you, @Chanelandco and everyone else, for making this space for us. I have enough bags and scarves and SLGs and shawls. Many of my friends, though, are still in the acquisition phase, so I want to be supportive and enthusiastic for them, but personally restrained.

And this comment:
"Redirect your presence on this forum by helping new comers and replying to others questions when you can, that can help switching your focus to get new things." I have tried to do this on the scarf threads, but the new people have no idea about the deterioration in scarf quality, design, colors, and now apparently SIZE also. They love the new cartoonish designs and seem unfazed by the now ridiculous prices. And there's a toxic positivity on those threads that bothers me.

I need this thread! Thank you again.

 

[doloresmia]

I took this from Arthur c brooks, who is a social scientist who studies happiness. Moving from left to right feels very much my H arc over time.

I would say I have taken a break from H since 2019, except that is not true. That was my break from the hurly burly of retail shopping. Have found many delightful treasures that are preloved if I am honest. 2024 will likely be my actual break from new or new to me H

 

[paula24jen]

Thanks for starting this thread, it’s really timely for me, I have been having exactly this internal dialogue and will read with interest. Everything that’s been written so far resonates - I enjoy the shoes, bags and scarves I already have, I enjoy the relationship I have with my SA but honestly I just don’t get a thrill from H currently. I recently found myself scrolling “looking” for something to love yet… nothing. The last two scarves I bought will remain with me, but I find the new ones too cartoonish and not the quality they once were.

Lucky us though, if we’ve reached a point where we’re content with what we already have then we’re spared the hoopla of the current H game.