There is truly nothing better than the feeling of swiping your credit card and becoming the proud owner of new stuff. After a long week of school, some people like to go out and party. Not me, I shop. It has gotten so bad that I have deleted every shopping app from my phone so to rid myself of that easy access.
Retail therapy is real and it works. While the positive feelings are fleeting, they are renewed when you finally receive your package or wear a clothing item for the first time. I love being able to say, “Yeah, it’s new!” or, “Thanks, I got it from (insert store here)!” I am a big believer in updating your wardrobe with the new seasons and trends, and it is just a plus that my mood instantly becomes better after a purchase.
When I’m at home I joke that I live at the mall near my house because I truly make a visit at least once a week and stop by a few of my favorite stores, including (but not limited to): Lush, Sephora, Free People, and H&M. I have perfected my shopping route to maximize shopping and minimize idle walking. And of course, who can resist stopping and grabbing some pretzel bites?
I was raised on coupons and clearance racks, so looking for the best deals is a must. I rarely ever buy anything without first checking to see if I have a gift card or looking up obscure potential discounts. Until this year it really wasn’t feasible for me to be frivolously spending and even when I had a job, retail therapy just was not realistic. I have since learned the art of scavenging through Goodwill and taking advantage of deals at more pricey stores. I almost feel like I’m cheating the system when I get 10% of my entire purchase or $10 off my purchase when I spend $50 or more.
This is not limited to just clothing. A few days ago my roommate and I went to Walmart for a monthly general supply run. We usually share a shopping cart because it doesn’t make sense to lug two around and, well, you can probably guess which side is mine.​My dorm room is littered with shopping bags, receipts, and boxes, all remnants of long misplaced purchases. Whoever said money can’t buy happiness probably didn’t believe in retail therapy. Sure, it can be a waste of money, but once in awhile you’ll make a purchase that wasn’t completely on impulse and you’ll realize that it isn’t all bad (and this leads to more purchases in the hopes that you will strike gold again)
If you, like me, were exposed to the phenomenon known as Veggie Tales as a child, you may be reminded of Madame Blueberry whose treehouse completely collapsed because she bought so many things. And that is a valid comparison. But when I am so blue that I don’t know what to do, shopping often makes me feel so much better.I am fully aware that this is a problem and it probably isn’t a great habit to bring into adulthood but for now, I am enjoying the occasional shopping spree.​
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