I think I really need someone to explain to me how retail therapy works. It sounds like a lovely way to relieve stress in theory but every time I try it I never end up buying anything – or if I do I just feel really guilty about it. For example, today I had a day off so I decided to go shopping but I just wound up tired and felt like I had spent more money than I should have. Granted it was for work clothes so maybe that factors into it. I mean, who really likes to spend money to work? But even when I do go shopping just for the sake of it I always talk myself out of getting anything.
The interesting thing is that I never feel guilty when I buy fabric or craft materials. Maybe because I know it’s something I’m going to work on for a while and get enjoyment from along the way before the final product is reached. Perhaps the joy of buying a shirt or pair of earrings is just too short lived for me.
However, I will say that I get incredible joy and satisfaction from a good deal. It’s hard to feel guilty when you buy a much needed pair of jeans for13 bucks or six pairs of earrings at 75% off. So maybe there is hope yet for me grasping the joy of retail therapy – I just need to keep an eye out for awesome sales and jump on them when I need some shopping relaxation.
If my wife takes me shopping even one more time, I will collapse in a pile of denim and defeat.
Two words: thrift stores. THAT is where the retail joy is. Imagine a world where everything is 90% off retail every single day! Shopping guilt free.
That is GENIUS! Thanks so much for the tip!
I can definitely relate to this. Shopping, especially for clothing, can be so guilt inducing for me. Much like you and craft supplies, I almost never have a problem with spending money on books- buying a book doesn’t take any rationalization on my part because I know I’ll enjoy it.
I think you have it already!
Though I must admit I never actually buy anything when I feeling down and do some Retail Therapy shopping, I just try some some nice shoes or clothes that i would never buy and that makes me feel much better!