An Open (Break-Up) Letter To Black Friday

We need to talk, Black Friday.

I’m not exactly sure how to say this …

This is really hard, especially around the holidays, but I have to say this.

It’s just not working. I can’t do this anymore. It’s not you, it’s me. Or maybe it’s sort of you? But either way, it’s not working.

When we first met, you were new and different than anything I’d experienced before. You made me feel like we had something really special. I was intoxicated by the bigness, the novelty of you.

There was this urgency that made it all feel so important. I didn’t want to miss a thing, in the full sense of the Aerosmith lyrics kind of way.

But you’ve changed.

Suddenly, you seem very loud. And kind of aggressive. I find myself being a little bit embarrassed by you? And that isn’t fair to either of us. Maybe we’ve just grown in different directions, but it’s too much for me. There isn’t one piece of our dynamic that is really about me or what I need. It’s all about you—your image, the hype, playing the game, making the sale, selling out. I can’t.

I don’t even know who you are anymore.

No means no—OK, Black Friday? No means no.

I will not be manipulated to buy things I don’t really want or need.

I will not be played by tired, smarmy sales strategies.

I will not be pushed—no, like really, I do not want to be pushed or shoved or bumped or yelled at by anyone for anything, even if it is 50 percent off.

I will not be hoodwinked into thinking, this one day, this one precious, PTO day, is my only opportunity to ever save money again. Because we all know this stuff will also be on sale after Christmas. FOR LESS.

I will not be caught up in feeling like more/better stuff makes anything more or better.
Black Friday, I’m just not into you. It’s over. And I need you to know I’ve moved on. Don’t even text me.

I’m starting to understand what is really important to me and when I focus on my priorities it’s not even tempting to spend money on anything less than my best. I’ve been saving for this Christmas since last January and that is just way too much hard-earned discipline to waste on a whim. I don’t do whims anymore. This girl has a plan—a plan that provides peace of mind and makes spending truly satisfying.

I wish you the best Black Friday, I hope you find what you are looking for.

~ Lindsey

P.S. I can’t promise I won’t marginally stalk you on social media and wonder about your deep discounts and killer deals, but I remember the shop of shame feeling all too well … I won’t go back there. I won’t.

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