Thank you for validating that I’m not alone in this exact behavior! To help with doom spending online, the “save for later” tab on Amazon is my best friend because it will give me that second (or third or fourth) opportunity to rethink it before buying, but I still get the dopamine fix of browsing. Also, I often will “shop” online through Instagram links and stay within Instagram rather than opening the link in the browser. I put items in my cart, set my phone down and walk away, then when I come back to it, Instagram has refreshed and I lost what it was I was looking at in the first place! Chances are I won’t even remember what it was I was looking at because really I was just seeking that thrill of imagining how I would use whatever it was and didn’t really need it. Still looking for tips on how to avoid anxiety shopping when out in actual stores though, so I’ll take any ideas!! Everything just always seems like the “perfect” thing in that moment!
Oh yes, that save for later tab is amazing! I very rarely go back through and actually buy things I've saved. I wish I had tips for you on the actual stores. I don't tend to go to actual stores too often these days (except bookstores, but that can't be helped, ha). But if you hear of any tips, I'm all ears!
I think it’s awesome that you are aware of what is going on. That’s the first thing you need in order to change something. And I also relate to this post. I have a tendency to shop/window shop (online) when I’m not feeling well. Maybe because laying around gets so old. Maybe because there’s a kind of dopamine boost in shopping and looking at cute/pretty/interesting things. But just like you, I don’t really need this stuff. I honestly just want to feel better. xo
Oh Sarah, sending you a big hug. Don't beat yourself up over this. I think writing about it, processing your thoughts and feelings, as you are doing is helpful. Sending you love and light. Breathe xoxoxoxo
Oh goodness, Sarah! I know we've talked about this, and, perhaps, we should some more, but I could have written this exact post. Well, not as well as you did, obviously, but the same sentiments. I struggle with the same obsessive shopping to ease my anxiety, and I have suffered from this malady, I want to say, since my parents died, like it's some sort of way to heal the holes in my heart. I find that, at times, my shopping increases, and, at times, it decreases, usually to coincide with my levels of anxiety, meaning the more anxious I am, the more I try to "escape" into shopping. I'd almost call it an addiction at this point since I have a bunch of unopened boxes sitting in my living room at any given point, which only adds to my misery, especially since, once opened, I have nowhere to put this stuff in my small house.
I know we’ve talked about this before and I’m sorry that you know how this feels too. Is there something you can try when you feel this way? Maybe adding things to your cart but then forcing yourself to walk away before hitting checkout? Maybe coming back to it later with fresh eyes will help.
Thank you for validating that I’m not alone in this exact behavior! To help with doom spending online, the “save for later” tab on Amazon is my best friend because it will give me that second (or third or fourth) opportunity to rethink it before buying, but I still get the dopamine fix of browsing. Also, I often will “shop” online through Instagram links and stay within Instagram rather than opening the link in the browser. I put items in my cart, set my phone down and walk away, then when I come back to it, Instagram has refreshed and I lost what it was I was looking at in the first place! Chances are I won’t even remember what it was I was looking at because really I was just seeking that thrill of imagining how I would use whatever it was and didn’t really need it. Still looking for tips on how to avoid anxiety shopping when out in actual stores though, so I’ll take any ideas!! Everything just always seems like the “perfect” thing in that moment!
Oh yes, that save for later tab is amazing! I very rarely go back through and actually buy things I've saved. I wish I had tips for you on the actual stores. I don't tend to go to actual stores too often these days (except bookstores, but that can't be helped, ha). But if you hear of any tips, I'm all ears!
I think it’s awesome that you are aware of what is going on. That’s the first thing you need in order to change something. And I also relate to this post. I have a tendency to shop/window shop (online) when I’m not feeling well. Maybe because laying around gets so old. Maybe because there’s a kind of dopamine boost in shopping and looking at cute/pretty/interesting things. But just like you, I don’t really need this stuff. I honestly just want to feel better. xo
Your last line is exactly how to sum this all up - I just want to feel better.
Oh Sarah, sending you a big hug. Don't beat yourself up over this. I think writing about it, processing your thoughts and feelings, as you are doing is helpful. Sending you love and light. Breathe xoxoxoxo
It definitely helped to recognize the behavior even more for what it is. Writing is the best.
Oh goodness, Sarah! I know we've talked about this, and, perhaps, we should some more, but I could have written this exact post. Well, not as well as you did, obviously, but the same sentiments. I struggle with the same obsessive shopping to ease my anxiety, and I have suffered from this malady, I want to say, since my parents died, like it's some sort of way to heal the holes in my heart. I find that, at times, my shopping increases, and, at times, it decreases, usually to coincide with my levels of anxiety, meaning the more anxious I am, the more I try to "escape" into shopping. I'd almost call it an addiction at this point since I have a bunch of unopened boxes sitting in my living room at any given point, which only adds to my misery, especially since, once opened, I have nowhere to put this stuff in my small house.
I know we’ve talked about this before and I’m sorry that you know how this feels too. Is there something you can try when you feel this way? Maybe adding things to your cart but then forcing yourself to walk away before hitting checkout? Maybe coming back to it later with fresh eyes will help.