Goal Jeans

I was in a rush to get on the freeway.  The need to beat traffic was crucial to my schedule as I was driving to a shopping center located an hour away.  My laundry list of errands to accomplish was long, but it appeared that my tasks could be completed in the same general vicinity of the mall.  Every errand was planned out for completion within a limited amount of time.  Upon arrival at the mall, I was relieved to find a parking spot out front.  After that, my first task was completed pronto!  Then, it happened.  I passed by the window of a clothing boutique that showed a mannequin in a trendy pair of jeans that were meant for me.  Even though I was pressed for time, I had to stop in my tracks, make a u-turn, and step inside the store.

Have you ever gone to the mall to do something other than shop for yourself, only to find that your shopping mojo has kicked into high gear?  This usually happens to me when I have the least amount of time, or when I’m on a tight budget.  It starts when I succumb to the conversation in my head that says,  “Self? I think you better shop!”

Soon thereafter, everything worked against me.   The stylish jumper I wore was impossible to unzip by myself in the dressing room.  The store seemed to have a limited supply of salespeople to help me.  The dressing room was crowded, and it seemed like the air conditioning wasn’t working either.  However, there was something very cool going on in the dressing room stall next to mine.  I heard someone squeal, “They fit! They fit!”   I learned that the woman next to me had been visiting this store for weeks to try on these same jeans as her “goal” jeans.    A size smaller than she’d been able to wear for a long time, this woman finally made her goal.  I was inspired!

As it turns out, the white jeans we both tried on weren’t as cute on me as they were on the mannequin.  My tasks didn’t get completed either.   However, my diversion was worth every minute to be inspired by the real woman in her goal jeans.