WINDOW SHOPAHOLIC: An Introduction

FOMO (or Fear of Missing Out) is actually a thing. Everyday seems like a competitive obligation to document and otherwise legitimize our lives through social platforms – whether it’s a party pic, swag you receive for being influential or a check-in at a local hotspot, there is always something new to share to prove that we really aren’t missing out. I do get invited to social gatherings. However, I’m usually the girl sitting at home enveloped in a book or watching murder mystery shows (48 Hours and Dateline to be precise) and this lifestyle totally makes me happy. But I must admit I am a sufferer of FOMO and it stems from my addiction to shopping.

I hoard fashion magazines (both on my iPad and in print), catalogues and New York Times style guides. My Google Reader has more than one folder for fashion blogs including street style, designer blogs, and fashion journalism. Reading this much about style leaves me lusting for everything that I see, which is why I shop all. the. time. This is my FOMO rearing it’s ugly head. I have a mindset that insists on wearing something new anytime I have somewhere to go. Sometimes I believe that fashion is wearing what someone tells me to and forget that style is what you make of it. Sometimes I simply live beyond my means – and that is the scariest part.

The good thing is that I do not have any debt: I owe no money to credit cards and anything that I buy, I have the money to do so. By no means does this imply that I live a wealthy and frivolous lifestyle, it just means that I believe that I am not way out of control. The mister, on the other hand, begs to differ. He believes that my spending is outrageous and incredibly unnecessary; for the most part, he’s right. While we were away in Paris I fawned over all things Louis, Margiela, Céline and Balmain and I think that was the breaking point for him. He insisted that I challenge myself to a spend strike, meaning that I don’t buy myself any clothing, shoes or accessories for a long period of time. I kicked and screamed at first but came around to the idea.

Let’s be real: none of us are getting younger, which means we all need to have plans for our future and determine the differentiate what we need and what we want. Not to be a downer but we are in the middle of a terrifying financial crisis. I recently read an article in Rolling Stone Magazine about the debt crisis and how it has left so many stable workers with nothing but their cars in which they live. It both broke my heart and made me realize that I need to get it together.

Consider this the diary of a window shopaholic: an opportunity for me to conquer my FOMO syndrome and enlighten myself (and hopefully you) with new ways to spice up your wardrobe, insightful information about money/spending and a new outlook in general. It all starts now: I surrender my debit/credit/cash whenever I go window shopping and begin a chapter where I spend wisely and challenge my style creativity.

Make sure you follow @CrystalGibson on Twitter & stay tuned for more Window Shopaholic adventures. <3

Header image via @CrystalGibson on Instagram.