The horror of changing rooms

I used to regularly buy clothes without trying them on but, while I still hate changing rooms, have learned to live with it.

Yesterday, between meetings in London, I figured I'd take advantage of all the extended sales the news keeps reporting. My arms ached from all the dresses I was taking into the changing rooms (I only wanted one, but figured I'd try on lots).

And it was incredibly depressing.

Even though I spend most of my working hours focused on wellbeing and confidence (between my coaching practice and freelance writing), I was feeling very sorry for myself.

Nothing looked right. It all felt uncomfortable. And my head was filled with images of airbrushed models who'd have somehow transformed them into the most beautiful dresses ever.

Later on, I popped into a much smaller branch and found the perfect dress without trying it on. Fortunately, it fits but I also realise that all the terrible attempts earlier in the day gave me a better idea of my body shape (from all imaginable angles).

Moral of the story? I could do all my shopping online and order two sizes sending the least flattering ones back (but the idea of lugging rejects all the way to the Post Office since my local one's closed...)

Or I could recreate the feeling I had when I walked into the smaller store and made the successful purchase. It wasn't crowded so I didn't feel headachy and disoriented from the minute I walked in. And I was feeling good after a really enjoyable meeting.

Some women (apparently) love shopping. I doubt I'll ever be one of them but am very pleased with my new dress...

© Eve Menezes Cunningham / http://www.applecoaching.com/ 2008.