What are healthy/positive attitudes and thoughts people have about handbags?

[poleneinblack]

Confusing title, sorry! My question is what are positive attitudes, philosophies, or things we tell ourselves to encourage healthy handbag appreciation and hobby, rather than it becoming an out-of-control obsession? Things like appreciating what you have, etc. I would like to hear everyone's thoughts.

 

[jellyv]

What are yours, to start?

 

[Litsa]

Buy what you like and feel like is missing in your collection vs. what's trendy. I make sure I'm using all my bags. If I'm not after a long period of time (1 year) and don't think I ever will again, I sell it. Also, don't buy outside your means. If you need to sell a bag to get out of an emergency financial situation, you shouldn't have bought the bag from the start.

 

[earthygirl]

Things I remind myself of when I’m tempted to buy another handbag:
1.You don’t have to own every beautiful handbag.
2. Sometimes less really is more.
3. There are other less expensive ways to accessorize.
4. There Are better ways of spending my disposable income. e.g. self care, personal training lessons, vacays, learning a skill, etc.
5. Often too much of something sometimes makes it less special.
6. Theres a fine line between collecting and hoarding.
7. I can only wear one bag at a time
8. I don’t need 5 bag options for any one outfit
9. I’m not a celebrity or a socialite so I won‘t use an excessive amount of bags
10. Too many options can be overwhelming..as I don’t want to feel the need to change and use all of my handbags all of the time.
11. buying a handbag will always be easier than selling it

 

[fightdirrty]

Even if your bag is crazy expensive, carry it!

 

[leechiyong]

Just because I can appreciate a bag does not mean I need to possess it. There are many beautiful bags out there, but if I don't love it then I shouldn't buy it.

 

[Christofle]

1.Decide on your motivation for acquiring bags!
Do you have a particular outfit that requires a suitable bag?
Are you attempting to curate a collection?
Are you simply bored and wanting to have some retail therapy?
Or did you see an ad on instagram and now you need to DM your reseller who you contact 10 times every hour...

2.Do you enjoy the new bag or does the interest quickly fade?
Maybe the adrenaline rush of the chase or the dopamine thrill from the purchases are starting to get out of hand...

3.Are you keeping up with your hobbies and hanging out with friends?
Or have you gone AWOL trying to code a shopping bot for the H website while dealing with refresh induced insomnia...

4.Are you keeping up with your investments? Do you have any credit card debt?
Or have you sent Bernard Arnault your banking information so LVMH can send you a mystery box each time you receive your pay...

5.Fashion should be a hobby and fun.
If it is causing you deep seated stress and anxiety it might be time to reevaluate.

6.Have a great day and enjoy your bags!
After all you loved them at one point!

 

[papertiger]

> buy > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for > love > wear > enjoy > care for >

 

[call911]

Buy what you like and feel like is missing in your collection vs. what's trendy. I make sure I'm using all my bags. If I'm not after a long period of time (1 year) and don't think I ever will again, I sell it. Also, don't buy outside your means. If you need to sell a bag to get out of an emergency financial situation, you shouldn't have bought the bag from the start.

A youtuber who specializes in shopping said "If you can't afford to buy it twice, don't buy it" and it stuck with me.

/edit: Of course this doesn't apply to bigger purchases like houses etc

 

[B.the.attagirl]

This is a must! I won't purchase any more "museum" bags.

Even if your bag is crazy expensive, carry it!

 

[jennlt]

In the grand scheme of things, it's just a bag.

 

[Muffin_Top]

In the grand scheme of things, it's just a bag.

I was going to say that too.
(But to my mind this is the thought of us people who now have everything they want)

 

[papertiger]

In the grand scheme of things, it's just a bag.

In a way you're right, absolutely 100% correct but also have to remember we are on TPF, therefore all things are relative.

 

[papertiger]

1.Decide on your motivation for acquiring bags!
Do you have a particular outfit that requires a suitable bag?
Are you attempting to curate a collection?
Are you simply bored and wanting to have some retail therapy?
Or did you see an ad on instagram and now you need to DM your reseller who you contact 10 times every hour...

2.Do you enjoy the new bag or does the interest quickly fade?
Maybe the adrenaline rush of the chase or the dopamine thrill from the purchases are starting to get out of hand...

3.Are you keeping up with your hobbies and hanging out with friends?
Or have you gone AWOL trying to code a shopping bot for the H website while dealing with refresh induced insomnia...

4.Are you keeping up with your investments? Do you have any credit card debt?
Or have you sent Bernard Arnault your banking information so LVMH can send you a mystery box each time you receive your pay...

5.Fashion should be a hobby and fun.
If it is causing you deep seated stress and anxiety it might be time to reevaluate.

6.Have a great day and enjoy your bags!
After all you loved them at one point!

3. Does being on tPF 24/7 count? Most of my 'other' friends wouldn't understand, this is one (of my most time-consuming) hobbies (I know, sad but sadly true )

 

[JVSXOXO]

This is a snippet from a birthday card from my grandmother that I keep on my wall and read from time to time when I’m missing her and her wisdom. It felt fitting for this thread - I personally do not struggle with using my bags because that’s the whole point of buying them for me, but I know that some people do. I make purchases that fit my lifestyle in every way, from the price, quality, functionality of the design, and of course the aesthetics. I do my best to let go of pieces that I no longer reach for to make room for new bags - I recently sold two and bought two. It feels good to keep a “small” collection of bags that serve different purposes so that each one gets its time to shine. This is how I maintain “bag peace.”