Retail Therapy vs Black Friday Spending
Feeling a little meh? Need a boost? We’ve got you. Think of this as your permission slip to treat yourself this black friday season. Just remember, before you dive into those Black Friday deals, keep these smart shopping truths in mind.
Spend now, cry later
Not only is retail therapy expressive, but also excessive. Sure, some new pants won’t put a dent in the family budget, right? A few half-off snacks won’t break the bank, will they? But what if you’re in a rough patch? Is it healthy?
Shopping in times of duress leads to poor decision-making, providing an illusion of a grip on reality. It is but one aspect of your life that, if not careful, can ruin you financially.
Dr. Susan Alber, a psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic and a New York Times best-selling author, suggests that overdoing shopping could turn into an unhealthy coping mechanism and later on an addiction.
How to cope with it
Therapy isn’t usually free. In some shape or form, the act of introspection, even with a guiding hand, comes at a cost. Shopping triggers the secretion of ‘happy chemicals’: endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine.
These neurochemicals activate our brain’s reward centre, which explains why the habit can easily become a crutch.
There’s no easy way to come at such a problem. Especially if you are a repeat offender.
The first step would be to admit that you deserve all the best food, clothes, and accessories money can buy, and whatever lies beyond. Admit it, but not at the expense of your well-being.
You deserve good things
There is power in the accumulation of material effects, and shopping is a byproduct of this. Sometimes you need to sit down and ask yourself if you’re acting in your best interest, not just for the short term.
Is that watch worth that big gap in your account? Are those extra perfumes economical? Is stocking up on some sweets beneficial to your dental plan?
There is beauty in moderation. Our power can be infused into other aspects of our lives. That is what self-care is.
The consequences
When you’re in the mood to make a speedy purchase, give it a 20-30 minute wait. Check your balance. Do you really need a new gadget when there’s a grocery list tucked away? Or a list of untouched essentials stuffed away in your journal app.
Depending on your answer. Think back to your recent purchases. Can you account for them? If not, you might need to track your habit.
Impulsive shopping can happen anywhere and anytime. There’s no fault in a little indulgence once in a while.
Think of how much you could save if you substituted retail therapy for more affordable activities.
Sharpen your attention to detail
Shopping feels like spinning gold into yarn, especially if the deals are too good. However, taking a proactive step in this automatic response will provide a lot of insight. Every time you feel the knee-jerk impulse to make a purchase, ask yourself, Do I really need this?
Was there a time in my life that I lacked that I’m making up for? Or am I caught up in trends, trying to impress people? With an answer in mind, speak to someone you trust.
