I have spent the better part of my life shopping. When I wasn't at work, I was shopping. I was your classic, bonafide "shopaholic". Always tempted by something better. Always drawn to something cooler. I really didn't need to buy more. My wardrobe was full of beautiful things I never wore. Then there was jewellery. Beautiful jewellery. Rings and earrings galore.
Psychologists say it's not normal. It's compulsive behavior. For some, it's hormonal. For others, it's avoidal, used to relieve suffering and anxiety. It is believed to be caused by a variety of factors; depression, boredom, or an unfulfilled childhood. For me it was so many things. The elation in acquiring something new. The absence of an interesting hobby. Not knowing what else to do. And of course, my love for beauty and bling. I wasn't satisfied just looking. I had to possess them. As many as I could get my hands on.
But then, just like anything, the novelty wore off. My closet was bursting. My condo was too small. My credit card was close to the max. I had to do something. This was too daunting. The situation had to cease and desist.
How did I cure this? What was the catalyst? Where in the world did I begin? I really had to want it. It had to be realistic. Achievable. Believable. Well worth it.
Well, I really wanted a bank balance. A zero credit card statement. No more fees on my line of credit. I wanted to travel. To eat out at restaurants. I wanted to be able to live.
It took determination. Back and forth flipping. Faltering and back at it again. I never stopped trying. I rewarded the little things. Then suddenly I started to win. My bank balance was building. The credit debt was dwindling. The line of credit was back up again. I started to travel. Eat out once in awhile. But the best thing I gained from all this was my newfound ability to overcome it's grip on me and the elation in being debt-free!
