Long ago in fourth grade, my cousin Anna introduced me to the Pile Method. As a 10 year old, I didn't want to try on anything I saw in J.C. Penney's. Anna, however, had just about everything possible in the girls' section INSIDE our one large dressing room. I was dumbfounded. Meanwhile, my Mom and Laura were pulling things for me to try on. It's quite possible I already had the eye-roll down at this point.
When we got to the dressing room, I was overwhelmed. Anna said, "It's easy, Shay! You just make a Yes Pile, a No Pile and a Maybe Pile." (You also have to imagine the lilt of her seven-year-old voice squeaking high on the first syllable of MAYbe.)
Let me tell you...that was the day it all changed in the dressing room. (No pun intended.)
Recently I ventured out of my usual Target shopping mode and went to the mall. I was looking for some denim shorts that were much longer than the tiny 2-inch ones they feature in Tar-jay. I needed a few more options. When I got to the mall, I kept finding things I actually wanted to try on. And of course, they brought me a few more shirts they "thought I might like." Of course I did, thankyouverymuch.
So here I am14 years later, still employing the yes-no-maybe pile system. I'm telling you, it works like a charm.
This was my Maybe pile.
This was one part of my No pile. All super-cute stuff that just didn't quite fit.
And this is my Yes pile.
Just kidding.
This is the rest of my No pile, after reevaluating my Maybes. :-)
And I did walk out of there with a pair of denim shorts.
Imagine that.
So thanks, Anna, for teaching me to make piles and to take one thing at a time. Who knew a seven-year-old could impart such wisdom??
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