I have fallen into this trap more times than I can count! It’s also very prevalent in the exercise space! I go to the gym or a workout class in old tees and pilling leggings, often surrounded by women in matching lululemon sets (a cool $300) with the perfect ‘workout aesthetic’
It’s led me to believe that I need to buy expensive things to start new hobbies or habits in my life.
Hiking with a friend? I need new trail runners and a better sports bra.
Trying to walk 5-10k steps? I need some hot girl walk outfits and the all white sneakers
Joined a new gym? I need the lululwmon set to motivate me to go
I’ve learned and am still actively resisting this thinking and trying to just start where I am, with what I have TODAY!
Great post and happy you took a chance on the hike!
I was literally thinking about how this applies to the exercise industry as I was writing this! Literally every one of your examples I've fallen trap to, so I'm glad I'm not the only one!
It's so tricky, because on one hand, getting the new workout set IS a fun reward and of course we want to look cute on our hot girl walks...but also...we don't NEED them haha I wonder if location/culture has anything to do with it, because I definitely find that it's harder to shift my mindset when I'm in a city that seems to hold aesthetic to a higher value than the areas where it's more of a "start with what you've got" attitude.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who spends so much time trying to find the right balance :)
I have fallen into this trap more times than I can count! It’s also very prevalent in the exercise space! I go to the gym or a workout class in old tees and pilling leggings, often surrounded by women in matching lululemon sets (a cool $300) with the perfect ‘workout aesthetic’
It’s led me to believe that I need to buy expensive things to start new hobbies or habits in my life.
Hiking with a friend? I need new trail runners and a better sports bra.
Trying to walk 5-10k steps? I need some hot girl walk outfits and the all white sneakers
Joined a new gym? I need the lululwmon set to motivate me to go
I’ve learned and am still actively resisting this thinking and trying to just start where I am, with what I have TODAY!
Great post and happy you took a chance on the hike!
I was literally thinking about how this applies to the exercise industry as I was writing this! Literally every one of your examples I've fallen trap to, so I'm glad I'm not the only one!
It's so tricky, because on one hand, getting the new workout set IS a fun reward and of course we want to look cute on our hot girl walks...but also...we don't NEED them haha I wonder if location/culture has anything to do with it, because I definitely find that it's harder to shift my mindset when I'm in a city that seems to hold aesthetic to a higher value than the areas where it's more of a "start with what you've got" attitude.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who spends so much time trying to find the right balance :)
Exactly! Definitely more of a city aesthetic / status thing for sure!!