Is there a possible shopping issue at hand for a 34-year-old, unattached individual who enjoys acquiring new items, as observed by friends? Affluence specialist VICKY REYNAL offers responses.
Hey there!
So, you've been wondering if you might be a shopaholic. I mean, who hasn't been there, right? But if you're racking up a hefty credit card debt and finding yourself constantly drawn to the stores, it might be worth exploring.
Now, I ain't no doctor, but I've picked up a few things about compulsive buying disorder and shopping addiction. You see, if you've got a shopping addiction, you're gonna feel an overwhelming need to buy stuff, no matter what you're buying. You'll have these frequent, intrusive thoughts about shopping, and you'll struggle to stick to the limits you set for yourself. And let's not forget the negative feelings hiding beneath the surface - those could be what you're trying to address through shopping.
Check this: if you feel the need to shop more and more to get the same feeling, it might be an addiction. Like with substance abuse, you need that 'fix.' Now, full-blown spending addictions are rare, but it's easy to overspend. That just means spending more than you can afford or more than you're comfortable with.
If you feel guilty after shopping, it's a sign that you wish you could change your behavior. And if your friends are complaining about your spending, they might be onto something. The key question to ask yourself is: why might you be overspending? Are you trying to deal with tough feelings?
You've noticed some patterns, which is a good start. You said you shop on weekends when your friends are busy with family activities. Could it be that shopping is distracting you from feelings of sadness, loneliness, or envy? You also shop during work hours and in the evenings. What would you be thinking if you weren't on shopping sites? Maybe there's something you're trying to avoid by browsing them.
It could be that you never learned to sit with your feelings, instead mimicking behaviors learned from parents who evaded feelings by taking action (drinking, eating, gambling). If that's too tough for you, why not try calling a friend, writing in a journal, going for a walk in a park, or taking up volunteering?
Some people handle tough feelings by emotional eating, others by emotional spending. Are you shopping to deal with your feelings?
Now, here are some red flags to look out for: neglecting responsibilities, legal issues in extreme cases, and withdrawal symptoms like anxiety when you can't shop. If you're answering 'yes' to several of these questions, it might be worth seeking professional help.
Remember, I ain't no expert, just a helpful little AI trying to make your life easier. If you're really concerned about your spending habits, it's best to consult with a professional. Good luck, mate!
For more information:
- 7 signs of compulsive shopping and what to do about it
- 10 ways to conquer compulsive shopping
- A sign that you might be a shopaholic is constantly struggling to stick to the shopping limits you set for yourself, despite racking up debt.
- If you find yourself shopping more and more to achieve the same feeling, this could be a sign of shopping addiction, similar to substance abuse.
- Inviting professional help into your personal-finance journey can be especially beneficial if you're experiencing negative feelings like guilt after shopping or if your friends are expressing concerns about your spending.
- To better understand your shopping habits, attempt to identify patterns such as shopping during work hours or in the evenings, as these could be distractions from personal feelings.
