Personal Development

We are constantly surrounded by stuff. The things that we surround ourselves with, whether it’s our gadgets, cherished heirlooms, or assorted knickknacks that bring color to our lives, often serve a positive function in our lives. We can, however, seek to use our stuff to find comfort and significance in ways that things can’t provide. In other words, it’s possible to have an unhealthy relationship with the things you own. Sometimes, the pitfall with owning things exists much earlier, in the process of acquiring things itself. The act of buying things can itself become a form of unhealthy coping, and it’s important to be able to recognize it in yourself or a loved one. There is help available if you or your loved one struggles with a compulsion to buy things. What is a Shopaholic? The word ‘shopaholic’ isn’t a technical term, but it gets used often enough that it’s in our lexicon. Often, when someone describes themselves as a shopaholic, it’s with a sheepish grin or a chuckle to hide some discomfort. We live in a consumer society, and most of us probably buy more things than we need, and are aware that our buying and spending habits could use some moderation. Being a shopaholic, however, is more than this. The technical term to properly describe being a shopaholic is “oniomania”. This term refers to compulsive shopping, which can also be called a shopping addiction. A person with a shopping addiction will buy things and feel like they have no control over this behavior, and that is why such shopping is rightly described as compulsive. Shopping addiction is a form of behavioral addiction that includes things such as shopping and gambling. People who buy things compulsively do so in different ways and for different reasons. Some people buy [...]