Mind tricks

Tuesday:

My brain was weird today. There was a product I’d seen a couple of times and was considering buying (ok, it was another handbag, but that isn’t relevant to the story) and this morning I decided to look at it online. I couldn’t find it on the maker’s website, or the website of the department store where I’d seen it. I was very sure of the brand (which had other bags quite similar) and could picture exactly what it looked like but I didn’t know the name of the specific item (they give them names like  “conscience”, “Angela”, or “splendiosa”).

I tossed my net further afield. Maybe the range had been superseded and that’s why it wasn’t for sale any more. Different online stores, Amazon, scrolled through over 2800 items on eBay, joined Pinterest. Nothing. Didn’t exist. Had never existed. But I’d seen it, touched it, in person! At the most a couple of months ago, probably less. I wasn’t giving up now, after about three hours of searching. I called the maker’s nearest store, as the experts. Nope. She doubtfully pointed me towards the most similar items, looked though their recent range, nothing like I described.

I have come to the conclusion I mashed together a bag from that maker and some features from a completely different brand. But the scary thing is I was so sure! I can still see it in my mind.

I’ve seen a demonstration (maybe on an old Oprah episode) testing a group of bystanders after a “thief” ran past chased by the shouting “victim”. Many of the bystanders couldn’t describe the thief accurately - and a lot of them mentioned features of the victim instead! Or if another person suggested something they would agree, even though it was false. 'Memories' are easily implanted. Humans are so unreliable.

Handbags

Thursday:

I’ve always been a person who owned only one handbag. When it wore out, after maybe five years or so, I’d buy a replacement. Always a smallish over-the-shoulder style, reasonable quality (ie real leather) but nothing too pricey. I wasn’t much into fashion, and who wants to transfer all their stuff from one bag to another all the time? If I could get away with it, I'd shove keys, phone and a credit card in my pockets and go without a bag at all, or if I needed to carry a lot I'd use a backpack.

Suddenly I’m reading fashion magazines (and giggling quite a bit at the ridiculous things that surely no-one would ever wear), watching Project Runway, and buying multiple handbags. I own five! I know that is nothing to some people, but it’s a multitude to me. Still nothing pricey, I can’t justify spending $500 (or $5000!) but maybe I’ll get to that stage eventually.

It started with needing new clothes and shoes because I was returning to the workplace. And because I’d lost weight, I looked better trying things on than I had for more than ten years. My nice aqua handbag was still good, but I decided I needed a larger bag as well, and used that while in work placement. It was black, so a couple of weeks ago I bought a more summery blue and white one for variety. Then yesterday I bought a small vibrantly purple shoulder bag - and because a second bag purchase was half price also got a cute black one with gold bees on it 🐝. Five bags!

Maybe I need a pink one...

I’ve solved the ‘transferring things’ problem by putting essentials in a little mesh insert, so I only have to move that with my wallet and keys each time instead of a mess of small items.

Is it normal to match your clothes to the handbag you want to use instead of the other way around?