Rationalize, Julia, rationalize!

Not too long ago, I was having a discussion with my friend Nicole about shopping.  There's no doubt that we love it.  Every time we see each other, there's something to compliment.  Whether it's a cool ring, or a great summer dress, or even a pair of owl sandals from Urban, we look forward to seeing each other's outfits and talking about our latest purchase.  

But, when you have so many clothes, shopping is not a simple process.  You begin to rationalize why you are buying, let's say, your 4th pair of gladiator sandals.  So, starts a conversation in your brain... "Well, it's necessary for me to have these sandals bc they will match my new dress.  I can wear them to work.  I will receive many compliments and some of my friends might even throw themselves at my feet. I don't have a pair in this color."  You rationalize until the good outweighs the bad. And then you walk to the register, maybe a little guilty, but when all is paid and your slip on your cool sandals, you know you will be the envy of all of your friends and you'll stare at your gorgeous feet all day long.

But there comes a time where you forget to rationalize.  And that's when you realize you have a problem.  For instance, I was at the store yesterday, and bought a few things on impulse. I had no time to rationalize, I just bought.  And so, driving home is when I began feeling guilty.  That's when I finally started to rationalize.  Truthfully, I was more or less questioning my motives for these purchases.  How many summer dresses, skirts, tank tops does a girl really need?  I began to count inventory in my head and then quickly stopped, because that guilty feeling had begun to take over my entire being.  Immediately, I counseled myself through the tough moment and finally rationalized....it's my birthday week, for pete's sake, and I deserve it.