For my third year I am writing a dissertation on the psychology of retail shopping. I have always been interested in how retailers get you to buy their products, particularly when impulse buying is such a phenomenen these days. I didn't realise just how much was involved although I did understand the whole product placement and shop lay out theory.
Just enjoying the act of shopping, browsing the sales rails for that self indulgent impulse treat rather loses its lustre when you're constantly thinking 'now the shop really wants me to take this off their hands, but do I REALLY need it?'
I have issues with this. Every purchase is a 'can I live without it' moment and yes folks that does go for my vintage tendancies too.I am a shop owners nightmare. I can browse all day and not spend a penny. Inevitably I usually walk away but when I do purchase I rarely get a complex about it because I've thought about it for so long I know it's right. (Note: buying fabric does not fit into this equation!) And I guess if money was no object every day would be an impulse purchase day.
I wish I could have the same relationship with food, which I adore but I wish I could master the art of 'walk away' with. I don't know why it's an issue, I don't mind feeling hungry. And invariably it tips the scales in a direction which makes me feel happier than if I'd eaten in the first place. Eating is a stimulating gap filler. I'd say I eat when I'm bored but I also do it the moment I stop to take a breather in between projects when I'm not actually bored. The taste of food is a kick that I almost can't live without. (If a cup of tea or a glass of water could be made to taste like bread and jam, homemade bread or peanut butter, I'd be fine.) I guess most of my problem is that I work at home a lot of the time, which means the kitchen is always in the next room. When I'm out, I never buy food, I don't snack or give in to temptation because there is a much nicer home cooked version of it at home and buying out involves spending money which I know I don't have. I guess if I never had food in the house which was 'pick up and eat' I wouldn't do it. That's hard when you live with someone.
If I was out all the time, I wouldn't eat as much. I should use the workshops at Uni a bit more, but I like being at home. I like working at my table, ample supplies of free tea, Radio 4 in the background, an incense stick burning and watching my chickens doing their bit in the back garden.
I currently employ several strategies to get my eating into shape now that spring has arrived and I have no more excuses:
I have given up bread - it's been about 3 weeks now and strangely I haven't been tempted. You have to bear in mind that I bake my own bread. I still have to bake for HRH and baking and not being tempted to eat is a real moment of triumph for me.
Don't take lunch when at Uni all day. I'll eat breakfast before I leave at 8.40 and I'll be home by 4.30 at the latest so I won't starve. It helps me get used to the feeling of being a bit hungry and that nothing awful is going to happen.
Have EITHER breakfast or lunch when at home all day - not both and only one thing. And no snacking.
I treated myself to some shapewear (investment purchases of course) to remind me how much more sexy it is to have a thinner body and that it is worth the effort. I bought a fabulous vintage girdle for my vintage days, complete with attached suspenders which draw me down to a rather attractive 27 waist, and a pair of very high waisted long leg control pants which basically slim off everything from underbust to knee and feel great because they don't cut you up in the middle. I am naturally a 36 - 28 - 36 at the moment but there are bits of my hips that are highly unattractive and everything needs toning up after the winter fallout. In the summer when I'm feeling good, my waist is 27 and my hips about 35. My tits will always be there, sorry about that.
That being said, I long to leave Uni now and start getting out a bit more, earning enough to pop out for coffee and a natter with girl friends, meeting with clients. I must ensure I get an office, or somewhere else to work. If I leave Uni and work at home full time, it could be lethal and I will become a veritable hermit. I shall have to employ a strict regime of going out.
This summer will be the death of me because languishing in the garden is good. Last summer, having survived my first year and not really needing the money, I enjoyed 4 months of doing exactly what I wanted. And I did pretty much nothing. This summer I can't do that, our expected outlay for materials for year 3 is about £1000 and I can't afford to spend what is left sitting on my backside all summer. I have already lined up 4 part time jobs. I am a casual cleaner, auction house assistant, I have the odd clothing commission and a few photoshoots to style up. I've also got open days at the Uni to assist with. I only have to rustle up £400 a month to cover the basics and I've already started to ensure I am ahead of myself with the bills. Anything else on top of this minimum is a bonus. My projected figures are looking good with spending money.
Just enjoying the act of shopping, browsing the sales rails for that self indulgent impulse treat rather loses its lustre when you're constantly thinking 'now the shop really wants me to take this off their hands, but do I REALLY need it?'
I have issues with this. Every purchase is a 'can I live without it' moment and yes folks that does go for my vintage tendancies too.I am a shop owners nightmare. I can browse all day and not spend a penny. Inevitably I usually walk away but when I do purchase I rarely get a complex about it because I've thought about it for so long I know it's right. (Note: buying fabric does not fit into this equation!) And I guess if money was no object every day would be an impulse purchase day.
I wish I could have the same relationship with food, which I adore but I wish I could master the art of 'walk away' with. I don't know why it's an issue, I don't mind feeling hungry. And invariably it tips the scales in a direction which makes me feel happier than if I'd eaten in the first place. Eating is a stimulating gap filler. I'd say I eat when I'm bored but I also do it the moment I stop to take a breather in between projects when I'm not actually bored. The taste of food is a kick that I almost can't live without. (If a cup of tea or a glass of water could be made to taste like bread and jam, homemade bread or peanut butter, I'd be fine.) I guess most of my problem is that I work at home a lot of the time, which means the kitchen is always in the next room. When I'm out, I never buy food, I don't snack or give in to temptation because there is a much nicer home cooked version of it at home and buying out involves spending money which I know I don't have. I guess if I never had food in the house which was 'pick up and eat' I wouldn't do it. That's hard when you live with someone.
If I was out all the time, I wouldn't eat as much. I should use the workshops at Uni a bit more, but I like being at home. I like working at my table, ample supplies of free tea, Radio 4 in the background, an incense stick burning and watching my chickens doing their bit in the back garden.
I currently employ several strategies to get my eating into shape now that spring has arrived and I have no more excuses:
I have given up bread - it's been about 3 weeks now and strangely I haven't been tempted. You have to bear in mind that I bake my own bread. I still have to bake for HRH and baking and not being tempted to eat is a real moment of triumph for me.
Don't take lunch when at Uni all day. I'll eat breakfast before I leave at 8.40 and I'll be home by 4.30 at the latest so I won't starve. It helps me get used to the feeling of being a bit hungry and that nothing awful is going to happen.
Have EITHER breakfast or lunch when at home all day - not both and only one thing. And no snacking.
I treated myself to some shapewear (investment purchases of course) to remind me how much more sexy it is to have a thinner body and that it is worth the effort. I bought a fabulous vintage girdle for my vintage days, complete with attached suspenders which draw me down to a rather attractive 27 waist, and a pair of very high waisted long leg control pants which basically slim off everything from underbust to knee and feel great because they don't cut you up in the middle. I am naturally a 36 - 28 - 36 at the moment but there are bits of my hips that are highly unattractive and everything needs toning up after the winter fallout. In the summer when I'm feeling good, my waist is 27 and my hips about 35. My tits will always be there, sorry about that.
That being said, I long to leave Uni now and start getting out a bit more, earning enough to pop out for coffee and a natter with girl friends, meeting with clients. I must ensure I get an office, or somewhere else to work. If I leave Uni and work at home full time, it could be lethal and I will become a veritable hermit. I shall have to employ a strict regime of going out.
This summer will be the death of me because languishing in the garden is good. Last summer, having survived my first year and not really needing the money, I enjoyed 4 months of doing exactly what I wanted. And I did pretty much nothing. This summer I can't do that, our expected outlay for materials for year 3 is about £1000 and I can't afford to spend what is left sitting on my backside all summer. I have already lined up 4 part time jobs. I am a casual cleaner, auction house assistant, I have the odd clothing commission and a few photoshoots to style up. I've also got open days at the Uni to assist with. I only have to rustle up £400 a month to cover the basics and I've already started to ensure I am ahead of myself with the bills. Anything else on top of this minimum is a bonus. My projected figures are looking good with spending money.
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