Have you stood in line at a store or hovered over the “Buy Now” button online, your heart racing with excitement for stuff you don’t even need? Yes, I have.
And every time, I told myself “It does not harm”. Shopping is about how it makes us feel, not simply about the things we buy. It fills gaps that we may not always be aware of.
In this post, I’ll dig into the causes of our unhealthy shopping habits, and explore how to overcome them. If you’re asking yourself, “Why can’t I stop shopping?” — this one’s for you.
Contents
You Love The Anticipation of Shopping
Do you feel like me?
That feeling of excitement waiting for your package to be on its way?
That is one of the biggest reasons I couldn’t stop shopping. How sweet it is to unbox your things when they arrive right at the door.
It gave many of us something to look forward to when life felt dull. But here’s what no one tells you:
- That rush will fade fast after you open the package.
- The excitement turns into guilt when you see the amount show up on the bills.
- Your house is filled with stuff that you don’t need at all.
How To Overcome It
Notice your triggers: I was often attracted by haul videos on YouTube or Instagram. Know yours and stay away from them. You won’t want things if you don’t see them.
My tips are to mute tempting advertisements, unsubscribe marketing emails, and unfollow accounts that cause impulse buying.
Set boundaries: Set yourself apart from who often influences your shopping decisions. That can be your relative, a friend, an influencer, or your favorite store owner.
Create new things to look forward to: Replace shopping anticipation with something healthier. It can be a coffee date with friends, a new hobby, or scheduling a mini-adventure in your city.
You’ll be surprised how good it feels to break the cycle and regain your focus.
You Feel Being Connected When Shopping
To be honest, one of the reasons I struggled to quit shopping was that it gave me a sense of connection.
Wearing the same shade of lipstick as my fave influencer made me feel I was part of her world. Having a trending pair of boots with a celebrity gave me a weird thrill. Does it sound familiar?
It may be ridiculous, but we will feel less alone when wearing the same dress as a stranger online. Viral “must-haves,” haul videos, and weekend outfit selfies make it nearly impossible to avoid wanting the same thing.
How To Overcome It
Remember that true connection isn’t about stuff: Conversations, experiences, and shared ideals are far more important.
Challenge your beliefs: Ask yourself: “If I didn’t have what they had, would I still find this person admirable?” If your response is still “Yes”, that is a true connection.
Understand the marketing game: Brands and influencers are compensated to promote the products. It’s simpler to resist the lure once you realize that.
You Feel Productive When You’re Shopping
For many of us, after a long, exhausting working day, the easiest thing we want is to lie down on the couch, scrolling through shopping apps, and … do shopping.
And the problem is, we don’t feel it wastes time. In contrast, it felt productive. You can spend hours comparing prices, reading reviews, and searching for promo codes. And when you get something really cheap, you think it’s your smart choice.
But it’s not. It’s an online shopping addiction. You are trying to fill a big void in your life instead of feeling purposeful. Hear me out – Shopping will never bring you the lasting happiness you crave.
How To Overcome It
Check yourself: When you feel the urge to shop, just pause and ask: “What am I trying to avoid right now?” Is it loneliness? Tiredness? Or a job you secretly hate?
Know what truly matters to you: Find out what can really fill your time in a way that makes you feel proud and alive. Painting, cooking, volunteering, or planning a dream trip – anything will do.
Set small, personal goals: Don’t rush yourself. Start with something easy and fun to fill the space of impulse shopping. How about trying a new recipe or reading a book you’ve been putting off?
You Aren’t Comfortable With Yourself
Okay, deep breath — because this one will hit me (and you) hard. No one will tell you, but many of us are shopping to chase a fantasy version of our life. Why?
Marketers are not only excellent at selling products but also feelings. For example, I often told myself these things:
- “If I buy this new skincare set, I’ll wake up feeling beautiful and confident.”
- “If I wear that blazer, my boyfriend will see me differently.”
The truth is that none of those purchases can fix what is inside you. You get fooled by those attractive words and keep shopping. Remember – Your emotions can’t be healed in that way.
As Nathaniel Hawthorne once said: “Happiness is not found in things you possess, but in what you have the courage to let go of.”
How To Overcome It
Pause and ask yourself why you want that item: If it is because it will somehow change how you feel about yourself, stop it.
Remind yourself that you are enough right now: It sounds cliché, but accepting yourself is a big lesson you have to learn. No trendy lipstick or cute dress can do this.
Be gentle with yourself: Don’t feel too guilty. It’s worth celebrating when you realize your unhealthy shopping habits and make a change.
You’re Running Away From Something
This one hit me the hardest — and maybe it will for you too. It’s not about the shoes, the dress, or that shiny new gadget. It’s about the feeling it gives us in the moment.
Science has proved that, like eating chocolate, our brains release dopamine – a hormone that makes us happy – when shopping. It gives us a temporary high to forget about what we don’t want to deal with.
For me, it was my boring job at that time (before I started the blog). Instead of improving my skills and finding a better job, shopping became my escape. You know, instant happiness just after a simple click.
But here’s the problem: that happiness doesn’t last. We live in a world of ads, and we are shopping for a momentary escape, not a product. The issues you’re avoiding will still be there tomorrow.
How To Overcome It
What are your emotions at the time of shopping? Are you bored? Stressed? Lonely? Are you trying to avoid facing something tough? If you’re in that condition, pause your shopping.
My tip: Wait 24 hours before making the purchase. You will realize that 9 times out of 10, you didn’t want it anymore the next day.
Distract yourself with healthier habits: During that waiting period, do something else, like:
- Going for a walk and getting fresh air
- Journaling about what I was really feeling
- Meditating, even just for 5 minutes
- Calling a friend or listening to a podcast
- Discover a cool side hustle (resources here)
Those little things can help to control your emotions quite well. And slowly, you’ll see that you get more by not shopping – your money, your time, and peace of mind.
Takeaway
If you’ve read this far, I just want to say — thank you. Seriously. Because admitting that you struggle with shopping isn’t easy.
So the next time you feel like shopping, pause for a moment. Ask yourself what you’re really looking for. And remind yourself: you already have so much more than you think.