For two or three days after the stylist washed and cut my hair, my locks remained silkier than they’d ever been. My thick hair with its naturally inconsistent wave tends toward frizz when left to its own devices, so this new level of smoothness prompted me to invest in the salon-caliber shampoo and conditioner.
I would probably continue to do so once in a great while as a special treat, but the result was never as remarkable as that first time. Maybe because each wash doesn’t come with a fresh cut or professional styling.
Whatever the case, I discovered a drugstore/department store brand I trust makes shampoo and conditioner priced less than five dollars each. I gave it a shot.
Now, I get the results from my five dollar shampoo that I’d hoped for from the twenty-five dollar one.
You don’t always get what you pay for. Expense doesn’t equal quality. Sometimes, the return on the five dollar investment beats out the twenty-five dollar one.
As I straightened my hair this morning, thinking about that, other common myths sprang the mind, equally busted.
Bigger isn’t necessarily better. Owning a small house certainly served me and my husband well. And ordering the bigger drink at the coffee shop? Sometimes I end up regretting that because 20 ounces of coffee leads to caffeine jitters that I wouldn’t have experienced had I gone with the smaller cup.
Money doesn’t mean success. I’ve made a lot more than I make right now, but I was terribly unhappy.
If a little is good, more isn’t necessarily better. I have an aunt who hurt herself exercising with the belief that more would be better.
Yet we’re surrounded by these beliefs in expense, size, money, and quantity so it’s sometimes hard to remember to question them. Let’s stop for a moment to consider what myths we’re buying—figuratively or literally.
What do we pay more for without realizing the quality isn’t there?
What have we up-sized to our own discomfort?
What joys have we passed up for the sake of money, and is the money worth the sacrifice?
What are we stock-piling or doing to excess that might be hurting more than helping?
Your turn! What common sayings simply aren’t true?
Great post!! And so true! I mirrored you with the expensive shampoo only to find a generic that worked just as well, if not better 🙂 One saying that I find is way off is~ If I only had this _____, then I'd be happy. Reality, is the world never satisfies, and I only find my contentment from my Father God <3
Great post, Emily. And your questions at the end? Spot on! It's hard to ignore the lies our culture tells us. I love that you found an inexpensive shampoo that did what you wanted. 🙂 It's good to step back and evaluate the choices we're making to determine if they are the best choices for us and those we love.
Glad you found a generic that works! You're right that we'll never be satisfied by anything but Jesus!
Thanks, Jeanne! I'm so glad the post resonated with you. Thanks for bringing up that we have to consider not just ourselves but also those we love!