When shopping and I'm tempted to stop into a store that's obviously too expensive and shiny and dream-like to even bother, my mother always says, "That's not for us.  Let's move on."

It's like peering into the dazzling window display and knowing you'll never afford the contents.  It's like a restaurant you want to try, but you aren't dressed properly and you can't even read the menu.  It's stopping before even starting, every single time.

When I see someone with whom I can imagine it might just work, a voice tells me "Don't bother, you're not for them.  Know where you stand.  Keep on going."

It hurts too much to search.