By Meghan Zylich
September 10, 2023
Shopping. You either love it, or you hate it. For those of us who love shopping, we sometimes find that it can even reduce stress and improve our moods–a phenomenon known as “retail therapy.” But does there come a point when shopping can become an obsession, and we might not even realize it?
There are many different levels of shopping. From going grocery shopping with your mom to going to the mall with your friends to spending all of your allowance on the new trending item to going on the occasional shopping spree, we all have different shopping experiences. And for our generation there’s a whole new era of shopping that comes with a different set of benefits as well as dangers: online shopping.
Online shopping has been a fast-growing trend. Studies have shown that an estimated 2.14 billion people worldwide shop online. Knowing you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home, it can be easy to become attached. Although it can be convenient, online shopping should be used wisely and not seem overbearing.
Most causes of a shopping obsession are psychological. “Research suggests there’s actually a lot of psychological and therapeutic value when you're shopping-if done in moderation, of course,” says Scott Bea, PysD. Depending on how much you like to go shopping can determine how much of an obsession you have. Overspending, improved moods every time you shop, and having the need to touch and feel the item before purchasing might be a few signs that you like to shop a little too much.
On the other hand, shopping doesn’t have to be much of a serious addiction. You can still like to shop without having it take complete control over your life. Realizing if you are obsessed with shopping and doing something about it can definitely help. Instead of shopping, save your money and give your wallet a break. Maybe phone a friend, go to the beach or do something that doesn’t cost money but still makes you happy. So the next time you go shopping, ask yourself this: am I obsessed?
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