I'm Hoho and am a complete shopaholic!!!

[HoHoHappyHolidays]

On 31st December I made a vow to stop shopping. DH deals with all the bills and does the grocery shopping so I really don't need to shop.

Yesterday I managed really easily. Today I have this urge to shop but am fighting it. I think I have a problem. I want to cry :(

Is this connected to your MH issue or a separate one, eg an addiction?

I have/had a shopping addiction but know when this comes up and why I do it (boredom, depression etc).

I also know that when I've worked in isolated places with few shops and before I had credit cards etc... that I spent far less and was even encouraged by my mum/friends when visiting them abroad to 'treat myself'.

So in a sense I know exactly why/how I do it now - proximity of shops to work, extra money per week/month when all bills are paid etc.

I think a support group would be good for you and there are also various books you can read/buy on Amazon/bookshops (maybe library would be better?) or website advice. However some of this advice is hit and miss.

I think a lot of people shop to fill a void and often hobbies or community/volunteer work is mentioned as being good.

Good luck and don't be so hard on yourself, you've admitted it here.

I start counselling in January so hope to figure out what is causing it, just need some support now ASAP so thank you :) I'm also an OCD toilet user (another issue I need to sort out which started after DC1 was born).

I love my life and myself, just need to get these problems sorted.

I just love that feeling I get when I shop... I feel so empty :(

I often feel like I need a treat. Shopping makes me feel special. I think it stems from rejection and neglect as a child. When things got bad, mum would take us out shopping. I am getting a handle on it, now I use walking as a healthy way to reconnect with what's important.

I think exercise would be good for me too... I'm just so lazy :(