Am I normal or is it a shopping addiction?

[Littlebee76]

Just wondering if I'm normal or if I need help..

I can not stop buying. Every single day without fail I'm constantly online shopping. I feel like everyday I think of something new I 'need'then spend hours searching for this new thing that I need, purchase it then the next day I think of the next new thing I need.
Everyday I have a parcel arrive (at least one) and it's actually all consuming!

I love buying myself/the house things but does anyone else do this? I'd actually like to go a few weeks without 'needing' things yet it never seems to give me a day off.

Is this normal?

I can relate to this. Part of it is I never go shopping into proper shops as I'd have to carry stuff home and don't drive so have to buy stuff on-line so just recently, some toast tongs as the old pair snapped; DD's Haloween outfit, an indoor airer for the winter. Then for myself, some new slippers, a top to wear to a special family party (not needed but 'completed' the outfit.)

I have a mirco-economy in my head that I have to have sold some stuff to merit buying any more (this is all Ebay stuff, I never buy new).

Bizarrely, I hang into stuff until they are on their last legs, will alter and patch stuff as I like to get the 'wear'.

If I look at my Amazon and Ebay purchases, it looks a lot. BUT I sell a lot of stuff on-line too and am currently decluttering.

I love browsing and finding a bargain, I love charity shopping too. I also like reading the reviews and putting up reviews myself.

I enjoy it BUT I think I need to reign it I though so have resolved so clothes this winter for me now as I have more than enough. I've taken up running again and I'm distracting myself with that now.

It is hard with Ebay and Amazon as a purchase is one click away!

I think you need to be kind to yourself OP, it helped for a while but maybe as others have suggested, some sort of therapy would help. The story about the Sunday evening catalogue is telling too, the shopping is recreating an inner nurturing feeling you had when you were a child.

Yes I do it.. because of infertility.. a gap.. always searching for things.. I seek a 'must have' and then track it down like some deranged hunter.
So the house fills up with crap I never use/wear. Just gets stuffed under bed. I need to start using it all. I do sell stuff though..and donate…but keep replacing it.
DP is a proper hoarder though. I'm just a spender (not of his money)
Yes it's a problem.

It's probably just as well I'm not running a charity shop any more so can't be tempted to bring tons home..although they did get a load donated from me

Well, I had four parcels arrive today (!). Bookshelves, wine, guitar lead and a bike cover!

None of these are "luxuries" or impulse purchases as it were, all are needed - especially the wine.

Ooh ooh bookshelves! I need more bookshelves (I really do) - what have you got?

Just an update from me, since all your wonderful advice and harsh truths I've 'hardly' bought a thing.

My purchases since 28/9:
A new vacuum (old one broke)
Lipstick (a treat for me)
Black tights (it's cold so necessary!)

This is a million times better than I was before, normally I'd buy at least 1 item of clothing a day!!

I feel much better!

Thank you so much for all your advice!

Well done you!! This is a big achievement. If you feel the need to buy a load of stuff as a reward, remembering how fab you feel right now will help.

Keep it up and think of the money you've saved!

Well done! They all sound like sensible purchases and like you've thought about them before buying. You're getting there!

Well done OP! Don't feel ashamed, yes it wasn't a normal shopping habit but these things creep up on people and can become hard to let go of when they provide such comfort. My mum was the same, she said she'd be in a fog of buying.. Then a few months later she'd 'wake up' for a while and see all this stuff and not remember hardly any of what she'd bought. She has various physical and mental health issues as well as insecurity issues from childhood so it was all filling a gap for her.
She used to spoil me with shopping trips as a child (which I loved!) and after my dad died I did start buying lots of bits as comfort. But apart from that one time I haven't felt the need as I am content inside. So much we do in life is psychological! Sorry about the ivf OP, I hope you get what you want in the future

That is a great step forward essentials and a treat you will really appreciate your stuff more too i think.

That's good news op. This thread had really struck a nerve with me. I get so embroiled in looking for things online and shopping. I've started putting thing in a wish list instead of buying and then when I've looked a few days later, the urge has passed. Thinking of all the money I will save not buying random crap I thought I needed.

I rmember when I was little, every Sunday my mum used to get the catalogue out, we would sit on her bed and she'd order us clothes as a treat. At the time i remember it feeling really special as she didn't have much money back then. Now I feel like I'm copying that feeling somehow!

This is the problem.

You have an addiction.

You need some kind of psychotherapy to resolve this.

You need to find something else as a treat.