Me neither, but that’s what I’ll be doing this weekend. On Black Friday my daughter and I were out for 10 hours at the new outlets and Kenwood Mall in Cincinnati, and that evening we hit the Dayton Mall to play with the puppies at Fetch. (You know how easily a dachshund puppy could fit into the packet of my hoodie?) I fell into bed feeling exhausted . . . yet toned, LOL.
My new kicks made all the difference, and I’m mad at myself for waiting so long to get a new pair of quality gymshoes. By now, though, you know I’m working out my issue of not wanting to spend money on myself, and I have to tell you I’m doing very well in that department – not just the money thing, but doing more things for myself in general because I deserve it. (Tanza has me reading The New Codependency: Help and Guidance for Today’s Generation. I highly recommend it to everyone.)
Thing is, I love shopping for other folks. I know a couple of guys who’ve been hinting at handing over their money and letting me shop for their friends and family, and I’m all for it. I just love snagging high-end merchandise at bargain prices.
Truth is, I’m also a major fan of online shopping, and in the past two months have gotten gifts and necessary items – such as a task light for my office – from Amazon.com. Amazon has everything, plus I get free shipping, and that alone keeps me loyal. However, there’s no substitute for mixing it up at the mall, and it’s great exercise.
Save for a few big-ticket items, I’m pretty much finished with Christmas shopping. Still, I’m going to hit the malls tonight and through the weekend because it keeps my body moving in a somewhat mindless, stress-free way. I’m one of those people who can spend all day “shopping” and not buy anything because I’m too busy checking out all the merchandise and comparing prices.
But not this weekend. No, this weekend I’m intentionally going out to stretch and strengthen my calves and thighs, maybe get in a little weight lifting by helping overburdened shoppers to their cars. I’ll also hit the off-price stores for, like, eight new pillows. Time to toss all of ours out, and dontcha love getting a new pillow? (By the way, donate your old, cleaned pillows and blankets to your local animal shelter, so the homeless pets can be comfy, too.)
’Tis the season, you know.
I don't shop because I need something, I just shop for shopping's sake. ~ Cat Deeley
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Leslie J. Ansley is an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur who blogs daily for TheRoot. She lives in Raleigh, NC.