Is There a 12-Step Program for Bath and Body Works Addiction?

November 30, 2013


There are certain types of shops that I’m not allowed to enter unsupervised. Bookstores, of course – I have absolutely no resistance to shiny new books, despite the fact that I’ve got a year’s worth of unread tomes already in the house… and I read 150 books a year.

Bath and Body Works is the other. That place is my kryptonite.

When I walk into a Bath and Body Works, it’s like time slows down. I drift from display to display, overwhelmed by the soft glow of light shining through a rainbow assortment of shower gels. And the scents… Lime and orange and cherry blossoms and pumpkin… Without Tech Support to drag me away, I could (and have) spend an hour unscrewing the tops off of bottles and inhaling a world of possibilities.

I swear there’s some kind of mind-altering substance infused into their products, because the moment I start sniffing, I completely forget:

a) how many gels and lotions and scrubs are already in my house

b) that I’m the only one who uses them, and it therefore takes about 8 months to make it through an entire bottle

c) that it doesn’t matter if I miss THIS sale, because there will be another one tomorrow.

My Bath and Body Works stockpile - because a zombie apocalypse is no reason not to smell nice.

My Bath and Body Works stockpile – because a zombie apocalypse is no reason not to smell nice.

 

Is there some kind of support group for this? Or is it like book clubs, which are basically just a room full of people enabling each other’s addiction? I don’t know, but in the meantime, I may have to resort to the time-honoured method of putting a bag over my head and going “la la la la la” every time I walk past the storefront…

Are you a Bath and Body Works addict, too? If not, what’s your kryptonite? Maybe we can find a way to resist together!

The Fox Talk launch yesterday was a big success! I’ll be posting photos on my Facebook profile, including some snaps of the totally fantastic bone and paw-print shaped cookies. If we’re not already friends, send me a request using the link at the bottom of the page – I’d love to connect!



25 Comments on ‘Is There a 12-Step Program for Bath and Body Works Addiction?’

  1. Nice post, Lindsey. While I can’t claim to qualify for your Bath and Body Works support group (shopping malls in general make me dizzy), I will proudly admit to my addiction to USED books. Particularly if the book before me will complete a set. Oh my, just talking about it sends shivers.

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  2. Used bookstores are a dream – it’s like a treasure hunt in there. Finding the last book you need to complete an out-of-print series is definitely a thrill!

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  3. I’m the same way, and my collection is bigger than yours. Yours is very modest compared to the large group of addicts posting their bath and body works hauls on YouTube. We all need help!

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    1. I had no idea that my fellow addicts were hanging out on YouTube – I’ll have to check that out. Thanks for visiting my site, Melissa! 🙂

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      1. no problem. I actually googled bath and body works addiction because I was curious to see if other people have the same problem as me, lol. There’s this one youtuber called the bad enabler, and oh my goodness he must have a million candles in his house from bath and body works Basically if you put bath and body works hall in to YouTube you would be astounded how many videos come up It’s kind of funny but kind of not. Like I said we all need help!

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        1. OMG, the videos!

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    2. Very true. My collection is only 2 shelves away from filling up an entire pantry cabinet, if I hadn’t used some of my extras as last minute birthday or Christmas gifts it would probably be 1 shelf away from full with more to come…eek, it is so hard to resist the temptation, it was easier for me to quit smoking…BBA

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      1. Easier to quit smoking – wow!

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  4. Hi, and thank you so much for writing this post. Also for the assurance that I’m not alone. Bath and Body Works is my favorite store. I have a large and lovely display in my room, and additionals on the book shelf- even a stash under my bed. My current mood is a bit sad because they have held to great sales but I caught a cold that I can not shake. I’ve missed two great sales!!!!! If there was a class my family would definitely sign me up.

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    1. Welcome to my blog, Robernette! You are definitely not alone – since I wrote this, I’ve discovered there’s a whole community of us. Which is a little bit sad, but kind of reassuring at the same time. 🙂

      Feel better soon!

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  5. I just left the Bath and Bodyworks store with 10 more foam hand soaps which now makes me have a total of 27 in my overloaded cabinet. I love it, I crave it, and if there’s a coupon, I’m getting it! I will never break up with you, foam soaps. You may be my longest relationship. ❤️

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    1. I don’t think I’ve tried those, Carol! This is the real reason why we can’t start a Bath and Bodyworks Anonymous group – all we’d do is enable each other!

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  6. It’s the sales that get me. Just now I purchased $56 worth but with the 40% off and free shipping it was $32.. I justify I came out with a very good deal but I have stockpiles still not touched..I swear BBW is trying to take my money. Lbvvs

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    1. That’s how the get me, too! It’s SUCH a good deal, I have a hard time remembering how long it takes me to actually use the product. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  7. I also have a problem! I got an email Friday night saying that the annual candle sale was happening on Saturday, so I put an alarm on and ran out the door first thing in the morning. My husband couldn’t figure out where I went in such a hurry and he just rolled his eyes when I came home with 10 more candles to add to my existing collection. I had two coupons for $20 off when you spend $50 and when candles were $10.50 that means that I was getting $6.50 a candle!!! Am I wrong to stock up for the year?

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    1. Their candles are fantastic, aren’t they? Tech Support (as my husband is known around here) actually bought me some for Christmas last year, after I had managed to resist new purchases all fall. I think it was his version of a reward? 😀

      Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  8. Wow. This is for real fueling my addiction. I have a very large bath and body works collection and the sad thing is I have so much, and I only started collecting 3 months ago. I used to go 2 times a week but now I really need to cut down. I found that taking pictures of your collection and then looking at them before you buy anything is a good way to stop your habit. Another good idea is thinking of how you may end up not being able to pay bills or extra needs in the future if you spend it all on bbw. I hope we can all stick together in this, good luck.
    Sincerely Grace

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    1. Using photos is a great idea, Grace, as is staying focused on the things you really need to spend the money on. Thanks for sharing, and good luck to you, too.

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  9. I had to find out if I was the only one.
    My stockpile is looking more and more like an addiction. I have run out of space and have a least six bags not unpacked.

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    1. Yeah, it’s not just you, lol. I finally made it through my stash but I still have to avert my eyes and go “la la la” when I walk past them at the mall!

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  10. It is now January 16, 2024 and I bet I’ve got you all beat with my huge collection of BBW items! The holidays are my kryptonite ! I have 3 huge crates filled with BBW products ! And I have a whole pantry shelf covered with candles , the whole counter under my sink, and a bag filled with every wallflower nightlights and scent refills! Almost ever my light socket has a wallflower light, holiday projector ! I could literally open up my own store ! Every sale event, I’m tuned right in! I didn’t realize how many of us BBW addicts there are ???!! But I’m now convinced they put something in their products that lure us in and snatch our minds and limit our ability to “just say “NO”!!!

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    1. Oh my goodness, the holiday sales are totally kryptonite! I was have a very-non-holiday holiday season, busy and frantic and no time to decorate or relax, so my therapist suggested doing the one smallest thing I could do to make it feel like Christmas. I popped into Bath and Body Works and bought a Marshmallow Fireside candle. It made me feel like Christmas every time I lit it! Amazing what one small sensory trigger can do.

      Thanks for commenting, Sandi – and for letting me know I am not alone on this one!!

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