Before I start this, I think it’s fair to let you know that I am a recovered shopping addict. There are a complex set of reasons that shopping addiction can become part of someone’s life but this post is going to mainly focus on how to overcome the addiction and list some valuable resources and options for integrating treatment. It’s not impossible to overcome although it can be difficult, especially if you’re not ready to admit the problem. Admitting there is a problem is part of the solution.
I recommend the first step to figuring out how to deal with any type of over-shopping behavior is to ask yourself if you’re buying items because you need them or if you “feel” the need to need them. If you are in a shopper’s mode because your home genuinely needs a lot of items, don’t let yourself go overboard simply because you are already spending. It’s ok to ask yourself if you are compulsively buying, and why are you doing it.
Compulsive buying disorder is a real thing that can be overlooked if you’re not able to find the right kind of helpful resources. Some people might not be aware of how perilous it is to your life and your finances, so it’s helpful to check in with yourself and take some time out to recognize if there is an unhealthy pattern taking place.
After doing some of your own soul searching, if you’ve come to the conclusion that there is substantial potential for an issue with how much you are shopping and not sure what to do next, follow these steps:
Seek Help: There are addiction treatment hotlines that can be found through doing an internet search if you type in “shopping addiction treatment” or “compulsive buying disorder treatment.” You can locate a therapist who specializes in this type of disorder and begin talking openly with someone about making positive changes.
Minimize your triggers and temptations: Identify the times that you feel the urge to shop and pay close attention to what’s in your environment (make “what’s in your environment” clickable with PSM Mindfulness Page Post: 12 Tricks To Removing Clutter). Even having too much stuff around can make you feel like you need more stuff. Donate anything that you don’t use that has no beneficial meaning to your life.
Get ready for change: Change can be an emotional process. Learning and applying new information can be an emotional process. Understand that there are many resources available to help. Sometimes just reading about it can help you recognize strategies that can benefit your circumstance. Here’s a helpful post from Verywellmind.
Have you encountered a shopping addiction? What did you do to manage it?