Maybe it sounds silly, but I’ve discovered buying and collecting luxury handbags is actually a pretty profound experience. Here are a few life lessons I’ve learned along the way:
Take care of your stuff
Taking care of expensive possessions is a no-brainer for most because it helps preserve the item’s condition and valuation. What’s less obvious is the psychological boost that comes from caring for all of your things, no matter how big or small or pricey or cheap they may be.
In a world that treats everything as disposable, looking after your things shows respect for the time and effort you put into acquiring them in the first place. It helps you remain a thoughtful, attentive individual who understands the importance of prolonging an item’s lifespan for as long as possible. Plus, it’s a surefire way to look like you’ve totally got your life together.
Go ahead and get that piping on your bag’s handle resealed. It’s time.
Things only have as much value as you give them
Some things in life will always be more important than others, but there’s nothing wrong with also valuing material goods to an extent. The problem arises when one gets so caught up in the experience of having a thing that they lose sight of its intended purpose and develop a skewed sense of value as a result. Sure, bags help you feel stylish and well-to-do, but at the end of the day, they’re just meant to carry your stuff!
Love what you love, but it’s important to understand how things serve you ﹘ mentally, physically, financially, etc., and determine its level of personal value from there.
I value my bags because I emotionally value feeling like a million bucks.
Patience is a virtue
There are two main upsides to learning to be patient: delaying gratification teaches you self-control and it gives you the time to really decide if something is right for you.
You might start out wanting a bright green bag but later decide that another color would better match your wardrobe. Or maybe you need a different size. Or a different bag altogether. Two years later, you’ve made a purchase that’s totally different from your original idea but is still something you’re very happy with.
You’ve got a lot of options in this life and should take as much time as you need to make big decisions. It’ll prevent buyer’s remorse.
Go after what you want
No dream is too foolish. Your desires are all your own. Fulfillment comes from living authentically.
Just because you could do something doesn’t mean you should
Always use good judgment. Actions have consequences even when they seem small and inconsequential.
When you try to do things without really considering the effects afterward, you run the risk of doing something you’ll find foolish in retrospect.
Just because you could joke with your spouses’ boss about how his hat makes him look like Indiana Jones doesn’t mean you should.
Just because you could technically shove a MacBook into that soft Valentino tote doesn’t mean you should.
If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no
It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling self-doubt or undeserving of something but letting those feelings get the best of you will keep you stuck in the same position. You’ve got to find the courage to ask for the things that you want.
Think of those stories of people that lucked into being offered a bag without a purchase history at the Hermès flagship store in Paris. All of them had the courage to at least make an appointment first!
Vulnerability is scary but getting what you want requires that you show up and make your desires known. You might get turned down dozens of times but just keep asking and eventually, you shall receive. It’s the only real way to move forward anyway.
