Is Retail Therapy Your Numbing Mechanism: How to spot it and heal it

I love to shop. I also love to be responsible with my resources. Let’s be honest, who hasn’t gotten instant gratification from a little retail therapy? Sure the dopamine rush is exciting, but we are evolving. We are becoming savvier and more responsible with our resources.

Consumers are turning into stewards. 

We are doing less shopping and more upkeep on the things we have. Quality is more important now than ever. We still love browsing aisles, sure, but we only buy the things that will last.

According to Inc dot com, the one thing consumers are willing to pay extra for is sustainability. No one wants that fast fashion offering that pills and fades after one wash. On the whole, we are thinking more about the conditions of the workshop, the carbon footprint, and if it’s cruelty-free.

Coping & Numbing Mechanisms

Don’t we desire to be happy with what we’ve got? I’m not sure about you, but I recently heard a term that stuck with me: coping mechanism. This is also called a numbing mechanism, which is the phrasing that resonates the most with me. Until I heard this term, I had not realized that retail therapy was a numbing mechanism.

I used shopping (even if it was virtual window shopping) as an escape. I didn’t have to deal with the storm inside if I was busy doing something else. Some of us take our frustrations out with organizing, diving into hobbies, or community service (which are all way more constructive.) I love dreaming about material things.

Pinterest is my best friend. I create boards of yummy pasta recipes, dreamy woodland destinations, and flowy beach dresses. I spend hours scrolling, pinning, commenting. It is a serious distraction from… well, life!

As the old adage goes: change starts with awareness.

When I realized what I was doing while filling up my shopping cart with floral print goodies, I was able to step back. I’m not saying that shopping is bad. Not at all! I love shopping and it can be a fabulous pastime and creative outlet.

I’m saying that the reason I was shopping, and shopping too often, was to drown out some deep personal work. It may be an uncomfortable thing to admit when you’re wrong, but the rewards are growth and wisdom.

It was like something ripped off a band-aid

I’m glad I heard the term numbing mechanism. It was like someone ripped off a band-aid. Painful, but I began healing.

Now I am more thoughtful and strategic about my purchases. I buy things only after I go through a checklist to determine if it is a genuine necessity or is an impulse purchase.

The good news is, I feel balanced and in control of my wallet. And overall more grateful for what I already have in my closet.