This is a story about my wedding dress. I happen to LOVE wedding dresses (like crazy obsessive love). If you are "meh" about wedding dresses, keep reading. There's a universal lesson here. Promise.
Here's the story:
Years ago when we were planning our wedding, I spent a lot of time shopping for a wedding dress. (Did I mentioned I'm obsessed?) I had a favorite shop that carried everything from $100 bargain dresses to $8,000 Vera Wangs.
Before starting the wedding planning process, my fiancé and I had responsible conversations about budget (small), priorities (our guests), and values (community, honoring our families, homemade). We were clear. We were committed.
Then I started dress shopping. The Vera Wangs were so well made. And so preeeettttyyy!The Lazaros had gorgeous hand beading and luscious fabrics. Before I knew it, it started to seem reasonable to spend $5,000 on a wedding dress. The more time I spent with wedding dresses, the more I was, like...
"What budget?"
"What values?"
"What commitments?"
Has this ever happened to you, <<First Name>>? Have you ever been so steeped in your passion and involved with a project or event that your good sense, values, and commitments just flew out the window? When this happens, insane things start to seem reasonable.
- The project goes over budget.
- You spend too much on that company dinner.
- A joking conversation goes too far.
- You redesign an entire campaign because of one small error.
When you find yourself heading down the path of throwing your values and commitments to the wind, do these three things:
- STOP. Walk away. Don't make any decisions or take any action until you've had a break.
- Listen to the people around you. Especially the nay-sayers or the ones who don't care about wedding dresses.
- Know your weaknesses. (e.g. putting your foot in your mouth, spending too much, scope creeping projects.) Write down your commitments before you're in the thick of the situation so you can review what your sane self thought before you started.
My husband was my sane voice. And, I found a designer dress on sale. Whew. Totally saved. The wedding could proceed with the values intact.
I hope this helps.
With Rebel Love,
Christina