Filed under: Fun Stuff
Have bleary eyes, difficulty paying attention and the urge to ask the price on everything you see? Yep, you might have a case of PASD.
ShelterPop
There's no question that antiquing is exciting. You're treasure hunting, you're meeting new people, you're most likely snacking on something fried and delicious. Everywhere you turn, there's something you want! Your friends are changing out of their clothes and into vintage dresses! You just saw a taxidermy zebra and you kind of want it!
But trolling antique shows and flea markets isn't all candy dishes and tufted banquettes. There's a darker side there, and it only shows itself as you're leaving the grounds. Post-Antiquing Stress Disorder may not be a recognized phenomenon -- at last check, it is not in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -- but anyone who's ever gotten back into their car after a long day of thrifting knows the feeling. Have you experienced the symptoms?
-Twitchy eyes: Forget looking in one direction -- your eyes are still used to scanning an area, searching for the next best thing. In the car, you can't stop looking from the air conditioner to the window to the mole on your passenger's face.
-The Urge to Buy Everything: How much for the bumper sticker on the car in front of you? What about that dress on the billboard? Your brain is still in hyper-purchasing mode and it's hard to get out. You may try to haggle for your neighbor's cat.
-Abandonment Issues: You left that perfect mid-century table for just 10 minutes while you ran to the ATM and then ... gone. No wonder you don't want to let your husband go to work.
-An Unhealthy Sense of Competition: It is sort of okay to give the evil eye to the sweet old lady who got to that jewel-encrusted end table before you did. But at the grocery store afterwards? Take a deep breath and let her take all the time she needs with the apples.
-Empty Wallet: Oops! Where'd all your money go? Oh right...
Tell us: How do you feel post-antiquing? Share in the comments or on Facebook!
And check out this video about antiquing with a real professional (we bet he doesn't even have to deal with PASD!):