The lust for shopping is swelling, while the purse is shrinking

OMG, I LITERALLY NEED TO CURB MY OVERCONSUMPTION HABITS!

Which girl in this world does not crave new clothes, new shoes, new bags, and new accessories? However, at the same time, we may find ourselves in another dilemma: it takes a fortune to afford trendy outfits, especially if you are not financially secure. Here, "financially secure" does not mean having no income; instead, it indicates that you cannot indulge in lavish clothing to satisfy your beauty needs like those influencers.

I am overly obsessed with browsing online shopping apps, regardless of their high costs or how much money I have left in my bank account. When the urge to shop takes control of my mind, all I focus on is clicking "add to cart" and "pay." As a result of being a puppet to this overwhelming desire, I find myself over budget every month and have to cut back on other expenses to ensure I don’t end up on the street.

If you ask me whether it's worth it, I will emphatically shout, "Yes!" When you wear something that makes you shine and feel unique, you can sense the glances and gazes from others, regardless of gender. This boosts your confidence and endows you with lasting fulfillment and happiness throughout the day. I am not sure when I developed this habit, perhaps when I was financially supported by my family as a freshman. My parents wanted me to live comfortably, especially since college was the first time I was on my own without their care. From my perspective, I see these living expenses as a gateway to the fashion world. Since then, my passion for clothes has only grown as my understanding of fashion styles has expanded and diversified. This growth has encouraged me to explore various looks and styles to discover what suits me best.

Objectively speaking, the positive aspect of my overconsumption of clothes is that it consistently brings me compliments from friends, colleagues, and even strangers, who often ask for my fashion advice, the names of brands, and where I purchase certain pieces. Additionally, I appreciate how stunning clothes have the magical power to transform my mood from gloomy to glowing and confident. However, the negative side is clear: financial burdens. Since I am neither an influencer nor a celebrity, I do not receive substantial sponsorships or partnerships from fashion brands, which means I have to pay for all those dreamy clothes myself, often at a significant cost.

I have made up my mind to cut back countless times, but I always end up buying more clothes due to my weak willpower. After listening to the podcast "How to Buy Less Stuff," I was inspired by the #NO BUY challenge it mentioned. As a shopping addict, it is really difficult for me to curb my overconsumption, which means I need to limit my time on shopping apps or even delete them entirely.

To understand the root cause of my shopping habits, I realize that they mostly stem from the influence of beauty trends promoted by influencers. Every time my eyes linger on their gorgeous posts, I find it hard to divert my attention from their fashion pieces—dark blue jeans, a puffy jacket, a pair of brown ballet shoes, and a classy tote bag. The next thing I always do is save my favorite outfit pictures and search for the exact same brand and style. In just a few minutes, I have completed a perfect cycle: being recommended certain pieces, searching for similar looks, and making a purchase. Therefore, my solution is to force myself to spend less time scrolling through the influencers I follow on Instagram. Instead, I will use this time to focus on my needs and interests by reading, writing, watching films, practicing English, and walking. I also regularly check my bank account to see how much I have left in the middle of the month compared to before. The number always reassures me and gives me a sense of security. The good news is that I have not bought a single thing in two weeks.

When trying to get rid of a bad habit, avoid radical or aggressive approaches, as they may lead to side effects and trigger relapses. Instead, start with something small and manageable, and remember the joy and fulfillment you feel every time you reach your incremental goals.