Accessory Anonymous

For women like me who have been hooked on accessories, who never forget to buy a piece or two every time I go out for just window shopping (even  during a self imposed strict rule of no buying for now) this habit could be addictive. In the same way as one gets hooked on alcohol and cigarettes when one promises that this drink or this stick is the last. Ofcourse, it never happens. Once my eyes  fancy on something that sparkles and something that I think would complement one of my attire that I plan to wear for the week, then that accessory beckoning me from afar will already be in my purse in less than an hour.

 May it be a pair of earrings, necklace, bangles or a hair clip as long as it makes me wear something new for the day, I'd jump on it in a heartbeat. I knew that I needed some kind of rehabilitation or more like AA meeting ( Accessory Anonymous) where I'd introduce myself as "Hi my name is Joy. I am an accessory addict." In as much as I wanted to be healed in this area, I couldn't do so as there is no such thing as accessory rehabilitation center and perhaps other women suffering from this type of addiction would be embarrassed to reply "Hi Joy." No woman, in the right frame of mind would admit that she's hooked on the same accessory addiction problem. I think I am the only stupid one who admits this.

 After amassing tons of accessories over time, I wonder what would I do with this pile of dusty rainbow colored personal tinsels that I only used up once or twice  sitting in the four drawers of my closet -valueless and yet I'm still holding on to them like my life depends on it.

My accessories which I consider my personal valueless treasures remind me of how many times I feel good about myself. The joyful moments when I feel so ecstatic about a new event in my life or an expected blessing or just merely feeling accomplished after a regular smooth day at work. The happier I am the more I accessorize. It's weird. Isn't it? But everybody has its own quirks.  Unfortunately, this is my version.

Please don't judge. And I won't judge yours too. Now that as I was doing a summer  holiday  tidying up time, I thought of tossing those that are not used up for long time. But on second thought,

as I was sorting them out, I  vividly remembered the event when I was inspired to pick a pair of turquoise earrings that match with my light blue top that goes perfectly well with my jeweled turquoise bracelet. It goes with the memory that touched my mind that I wore these when I got the job in one of the schools I used to work before.

 The double strand of pearl necklace flashed back memories of my wedding day. In  the same token as  my gold cross necklace reminded me back when I went to the court for my divorce. The apple green pair of dangling earrings was with me when I tripped over and sprained my ankle which losing a pair of earrings was more of my concern than breaking a leg.

As valueless as they may seem because they are not as real as J-Lo's stunning 18 k Emerald Diamond ring, I realized that they are not that valueless at all. They are reminiscent of the monumental events, happy times and missteps I made over the past literally and figuratively speaking.

Clearly, these valueless possessions are not actually good-for-nothing but to accessorize my wardrobe purposes only. They are priceless not because they match with the wardrobe but they refresh memories of my past. And as it turns out, these are the most valuable possession I've got.

So, at this point , I am saying my own version of the Serenity Prayer that goes like this. I am asking God to grant me the serenity to keep the accessories that I can't toss away. The courage to change  old accessories that have been sitting in my drawer for ages. And the wisdom to know the difference between quality accessories and those that are not.

Then I think I will be Ok with one accessory at a time. :)