Whether I’m checking my emails. Or reading an article on the internet. Or playing a game on my smartphone. I’m inundated with opportunities to purchase something. Images of items I have recently shopped for or purchased online show up on webpages in sponsored ads. It’s so easy (too easy) to just click and buy.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being a consumer. There are things that I need to manage my everyday life—groceries, household goods, technology, etc. But it comes to a point when I buy something just to buy it. And when it arrives, I may feel a short-term sense of pleasure or excitement. However, it quickly fades. Until the next purchase. And the next.
I’ll admit I have spent plenty of time searching online for just the right thing, scrolling through pages of items from my favorite shops. It’s easy to get sucked in. It’s also easy to convince myself that it’s something I NEED for…(fill in the blank). But if I’m true to my values, I want to be mindful about how I spend my resources. I would like to put more of my energy towards new experiences rather than new things. And if I am going to spend money on a purchase, I plan to invest in something that improves my quality of life.
So I’m going to do my best to keep myself honest. I want to be particular about how I spend my time and money. When I have the urge to use shopping as a distraction or a way to cope with my daily stress, I intend to take a deep breath and ask myself, “How do I feel? And what do I really want right now?” I’m excited to hear what I have to say. And where my response may lead me.