I’ve unsubscribed from emails that tempt me, stayed away from websites that are more ad than content, and said no to any media that constantly pushes me to buy or redecorate or otherwise be dissatisfied with what I already have. There’s no judgment here – just greater understanding.Īds, sales, and coupons are designed to activate our shopping reflex, so I make it easier to resist by putting up barriers.
What am I really looking for? Is it the thing for sale or something more? What can I do to get the feeling I want? When you write about your true wants and desires, you’ll understand yourself and your motivations better. When I have the urge to shop for something I don’t need, I open my journal or the note-taking app on my phone and examine that urge. Send farm animals to help make a family self-sufficient, make a micro-loan to help an entrepreneur lift her family out of poverty, or give a needy child a chance at an education. I would see something cute or pretty or sparkly or otherwise “just right,” and think “I can give that to so-and-so.” The pleasure lasted only a moment, but I’ve learned that giving to someone who is truly in need will fill you with joy. I had a looooong gift list, and I’m positive I bought many things the recipients didn’t need or want. I used to justify excess shopping because I was shopping for gifts. Can you even remember wanting it? If you still don’t need it, let it go. Add the item to your cart if you must, then wait – for a day, three days, a week, a month. It’s a vicious circle.īut we can resist shopping, and maybe even find better ways to feel better. You experience disappointment, guilt, debt, and clutter – bad things that make you want to shop (or eat, or drink, or escape). The gratification is short, and then you need something else to get that high again. But I remembered other times when I tried to shop or eat my way out of sadness, and all the times that didn’t work, and I was able to resist.īuying something new might give a momentary lift, but it doesn’t last. I was anxious and a little depressed, and I wanted those feelings to go away. I waited because what I really wanted was some hope and joy, and I knew a couple of gadgets, a sweater, and a book or two wouldn’t provide that. I already had gifts for my grandsons, plenty of holiday décor, Christmas cards to address, goodies to make for the neighbors. I waited because nothing in the cart was an urgent need. So I did what I always do now – I waited. After a year of COVID-19, an acrid political campaign, economic troubles, racial animosity, devastating wildfires, and more, it was tempting to try to buy my way out of feeling blue at Christmas. The 2020 holiday season was one such time. It’s true! Even after more than 20 years of decluttering, simplifying my life, becoming debt-free, and writing about minimalism, I sometimes feel like shopping, even though I don’t need anything.
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