Shopping Addiction Support Group
Oniomania (also known as shopping addiction), is the compulsive desire to shop. Similar to other compulsive behaviors, sufferers often experience the highs and lows associated with addiction. The purchase generates a mood of satisfaction, gives their life meaning, and lets them forget about their sorrows.
Hi all, I'm new here and hoping for any advice from those of you who have gotten your addiction under control. I've been a shopper my whole life but in the last 5 years it's been worse and these last few months for me my spending has been completely out of control. I put thousands of dollars on my credit card buying clothes trying to curate the "perfect" wardrobe. I feel like this issue stems from my general anxiety and self-doubt--I feel uncomfortable in my own skin a lot of the time and sense that wearing the "right" things gives me a sense of worth I can't seem to muster up by myself. I'm vowing tonight not to buy anything over 20 dollars for myself for a year...can you tell me if any of you out there have made cold turkey promises like that? What has worked best foI you? I'd really appreciate any advice or strategy you suggest. Thank you.
I am knew to this site also but can relate to your story 100% I have been shopping for years, but it has recently gotten a lot worse and with all of my peers buying houses and traveling I am constantly aware of where my money goes. My guilt and shame are made worse because I am a therapist so I am very knowledgeable on how to alter thought and behaviour patterns, just cant seem to do it for myself. I think something that is very important is that you are realistic with your goals. Only spending $20 for yourself over the year is a promise I often make myself but I know it will not work - its too drastic! I would say following some of the suggestions for change are helpful, like identifying triggers for shopping, learning to ride out the urges (urge surfing) and making new relationships/connections is more helpful in the long run to change the habit of shopping. I am struggling with this myself but these are my goals! good luck :)
What has worked best for me is not go on Amazon or any other online shopping website that I became obsessed with. I put my credit cards into a credit counseling system. In charge debt solutions, which was extremely helpful. Except I had one other that was a store card, so I kept that one open, it had no balance. My JC pennys card. Well, eventaully, they bumped me up to an use everywhere mastercard, so you can imagine, I took advantage of that. That is now up to $5000. I also have another one that I went out of control with, buying concert tickets, another store card, so the interest is incredibly high. This has been my new stressor, so my suggestion is NO CREDIT CARDS. I am going to start paying everything in cash so I can see it going away and know exactly what I am spending.