 |
Tags: self improvement, addictions, shopping addiction
 Shopping is something most people (especially women) really love doing. But sometimes, the happiness, pleasure and excitement that goes with it becomes like that any common pastime or time filler unconsciously may lead to addiction. Shopping may just be a temporary relief or escape from boredom, loneliness, stress or depression.
For many individuals, it is a form of escapism or avoidance from the harsh realities of daily life and most of all, its accompanying problems and inconveniences. What an avid shopper never realizes is that it is just a false world out there which will never fully give love, self-esteem or happiness.
advertisement
Shopaholics shop and shop until they drop and eventually they may run into debt spending on their credit cards up to and often without noticing, beyond its limit. After the excessive buying spree, the person would experience deep regret. Believe it or not, over 80% of the purchases would never be used.
Hence, the empty feeling of unhappiness will likely to increase or intensify due to rising debt and financial disaster that will be difficult to manage. And this would be further reinforced by the displeasure earned from financial consultants and most especially from family members and close friends. Just like most alcoholics, addicts may go on wild buying binges whenever they feel lonely, upset, depressed or simply when they feel bored.
Shopping is like a “pick me up medicine”, an only temporary and ephemeral euphoria that uplifts and heightens their spirits. A shopping addiction like alcohol, gambling or drugs is a blinding and misleading thirst where the shopper is unable to view and differentiate essential from non-essential and over spend over their budget.
A shopping addict may own and collect a hundred pairs of shoes, or bags, or even glasses—usually the obsession or preoccupation being restricted to one kind of thing or object. The cure of the addiction and the possible repair of finances may be possible only if the shopaholic accepts that a shopping addiction truly exists.
Joining a self-healing group that is handling this kind of addiction or professional counseling may help. A shopping addicts equivalent or version of alcoholics anonymous. The Guidelines: 1. Lock away all debit and credit cards. 2. Set some small limits on all your credit cards. Freezing the limits would assist you in limiting your spending habits.
3. Use the credit card only in emergencies. Pay for all your purchases by using cheque or by cash. 4. Forget about subscribing to shopping catalogues. 5. Go to the department stores or malls after they’re all safely closed for that day. In this way, you can only look at displays without being enticed to go back in and buy something impulsively.
6. Make specific envelops and label them clearly for what the money is intended for. 7. If you feel the sudden urge or itch to go shopping, try to resist it with all your might and go out for a walk or to the gym and work out until you’re too exhausted to do anything else.
Also as serious as drug addiction and an illness, shopping addiction needs to be stopped and be treated before it becomes out of control.
About the author
The author of this article, Amy Twain, is a Self Improvement Coach who has been successfully coaching and guiding clients for many years. Amy recently published a highly successful home study course on how to boost your Self Esteem. Learn more about this Quick-Action Plan and have a Fabulous Self Esteem.
Share this article
You may reprint this article in its entirety on your web site, newsletter or ezine, providing you leave the About the author sections intact. You may not alter the contents.
|
|
