Who am I? I am a shopaholic

 

Bored, stressed, depressed, excited, whatever my mood, I know just what to do, SHOP! You can only imagine the rush of excitement that spirals through me as I stroll around a supermarket, cautiously selecting pretty items to purchase. 

 

I am a compulsive shopper. One purchase leads to another. I do not think much about the fact that my not so hefty pay-cheque is dwindling away before the middle of the month. And when for a second I start to worry about spending money meant for my taxi fare to work or even meals, I quickly reassure myself that surely, I cannot spend all my salary on shopping.

 

Sadly, the ATM soon declares that I have insufficient funds.  I am broke and panicky because it’s only 20th and sometimes, even earlier. I approach that cheery female workmate to help me out with just a little money since it is a few days to the end of the month. 

 

Or even more embarrassing, I ask my parents and siblings, yet I am way over 18 and out of school, with a job! However, I always pay my debts only to borrow again when I live beyond my means the following month. As usual, my excuse whenever they ask about the incessant borrowing is, we are paid peanuts and I am trying to find another job.

 

I have discovered that it’s not the new item that gets me excited, it’s the thrill of shopping. As soon as I pay for an item, it ceases to be as exciting as when I was picking it off the shelf and heading to the counter.

 

That is why you will find that my closet is filled with clothes and shoes that still have their price tags. It’s not that I wear these items with the tags on them, no, I haven’t worn them before. These clothes and shoes have not seen the light of day, yet I have had them for months.

 

In the rest of my house are similar items. Often, it’s obvious I didn’t need something; so I hide it when my friends visit, or I will sit through lectures on my wasteful habits.

 

However, don’t think its pleasure all the time after shopping because later; after I have paid for the items and long walked out of that ‘temptation room’, I feel guilty about what I just did. But that is not enough to stop me from shopping again!

Prof. Ruth Engs of Indiana University, a researcher on compulsive shopping, notes that it is like any other addiction and can be difficult to beat.  She advises that shopaholics should write lists and only buy what is on them.

 

They should avoid discount stores or they will buy more than they need. What’s more, shopaholics should window shop only after stores have closed. “If you “look” during the day, leave your wallet at home. Most importantly, take a walk or exercise when the urge to shop comes on.”