While many people only think about substance abuse when they contemplate addiction, you can actually become addicted to any number of behaviors. One that is commonly overlooked is that of compulsive shopping.
Although many people may shop more than they would like or think they ought to, compulsive shopping or having a shopping addiction is when you literally feel like you have to continue shopping in order to function normally. While this way of thinking can be difficult to overcome, it is entirely possible to kick a shopping addiction. To help you do this, here are three tips for overcoming your own shopping addiction.
Identify The “Why”
Even if your compulsive shopping seems completely irrational to others, to a certain point, it makes sense to you. According to Robert Pagliarini,a contributor to CBS News, people with shopping addictions use the act of shopping and making purchases to fill an emotional need. Therefore, in order to stop this addiction, you’ve got to identify what the need is that you’re filling with this action. While this may take a bit of introspection, it will make addressing your issue much easier and more effective.
Track Your Emotions Along With Your Spending
If you’re having trouble figuring out why you feel the need to constantly be making purchases, Laura T. Coffey, a contributor to Today.com, recommends getting the reasoning for your spending at the forefront of your mind by keeping track of your purchases and your emotions at the time you made those purchases. By doing this, you’ll be able to see exactly what you’re buying each day, how you were feeling when you felt the urge to buy something, and the financial burden this addiction is putting on your life.
Communicate About Holidays
One time where it’s common for shopping addicts to relapse is around gift-giving holidays. Even if you’ve been doing well up until this point, your tendency to make purchases you shouldn’t may sprout up again when contemplating giving a gift to a loved one. To combat this, Kimberly Palmer, a contributor to U.S. News and World Report, suggests talking to your loved ones about these holidays and coming up with alternative solutions to purchasing gifts. You may choose to make something for each other, trade something you already have, or give an act of service rather than make a new purchase that could knock you off the wagon.
A shopping addiction can severely impact your life in a negative way if you don’t try to stop this habit before it becomes too overwhelming. If this sounds like something you need to address, try using some of the tips mentioned above to begin working toward conquering this addiction today.