Purse Collectors Anonymous: I’m Back 👜

Hi. My name is Mychelle, and I’m a purse collector. Again.

Yes, I know. We’ve had this meeting before. For those of you who are new here, welcome. For those of you who have been here before, thank you for coming back. Clearly, none of us learned anything the first time.

I would like to begin by saying that I am not proud of this. I am also not particularly ashamed. Mostly, I am impressed with myself.

You see, I had been doing really well. I had reached a point where I could walk past a purse without immediately imagining it hanging from my shoulder. I could browse a website without thinking, “Well, technically I don’t have one in that color.” I was healing.

Then I saw one.

And that was all it took.

It wasn't even an especially dramatic encounter. There was no slow-motion music. No spotlight from heaven. No mysterious voice whispering, “Mychelle… you need this.” I simply looked at it and thought, “Oh, that's cute.”

Famous last words.

Because “that's cute” quickly became “I should look at the other colors.” Then came “I wonder what size it is.” Then, naturally, “Well, I should probably see how much it costs.”

Once I reached that point, the battle was essentially over.

I bought the purse.

But here's where things get complicated. I don't consider myself a person who buys too many purses. I consider myself a person who has a very healthy appreciation for having options. There is a difference.

I need a purse for everyday use. I need a smaller purse. I need a bigger purse. I need one that goes with casual clothes. I need one that looks nice when I'm dressed up. I need one in a neutral color. I need one in a color that isn't neutral because apparently I have a personality.

I need one that is lightweight. I need one with lots of pockets. I need one without lots of pockets because sometimes I just want to throw everything in there and embrace the chaos.

And then there are the purses that I don't technically need but are really cute.

Those are different.

Those are special circumstances.

At this point, someone usually asks, “But how many purses do you actually have?”

And this is where I think we should all respect boundaries.

I don't ask you how many pairs of shoes you own. I don't ask how many coffee mugs you have. I don't ask why you have seventeen throw pillows when a couch technically only requires approximately three.

We all have our things.

Mine just happen to have straps.

The funny thing is, every time I buy a new purse, I tell myself the same thing: “This is the last one.”

And I believe myself.

Every. Single. Time.

That's the part that makes this a true relapse. Because I don't buy the purse thinking, “I'm going to become a purse collector again.”

No.

I buy it thinking, “This is actually very practical.”

And maybe it is.

Maybe that's how it starts.

First, you need a purse. Then you need another purse. Then you discover that purses come in different shapes, colors, materials, sizes, styles and personalities. And suddenly you're standing in your closet looking at a collection that could probably qualify for its own insurance policy.

So here I am, announcing to the group: I am a purse collector.

Again.

I have accepted this about myself.

I may eventually recover.

But probably not today.

Today, I have a new purse.

And honestly?

She's adorable.