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Shopping too much? Pairing down the wardrobe!

Lady T

Member

Hello everyone,

I recently started a blog to examine and to hopefully resolve my relationship with money and in particular shopping for clothes. I've been investigating my causal relationship between myself, my life and my compulsive behavior of shopping. I invite you all to have a look and share with friends whom you think would find it interesting and perhaps helpful.

http://breakingthecontract.com

Hope you swing by!
Cheers,
Lady T

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from Lady T

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I got a chance to take a look, and I'm really appreciating it so far. Sounds like you're working hard to break a tough habit, and I applaud you! I'm looking firward to reading more.

Anonymous

You may want to look for the Shopping Your Closet (SYC) threads here as well as some of the challenges. Best of luck at breaking the cycle.

Lady T

Member

@ Janet- Thank you, Janet. I really appreciate you saying so and happy you'll follow the journey.

By the way, beautiful photographs on your site.

@Joy- Thank you. I'll have a look!

Anonymous

I am actually trying to determine if I have a problem myself. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Lady T

Member

@ Zapotee- you are invited to share your thoughts on the site. I'd love to start some therapeutic dialogues. Only if you're comfortable, of course. I hope you follow with me and hopefully get some answers to your own questions.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I wrestle with how shopping impacts my relationship and what balance we can both be happy with long term. I'll have to check it out.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I subscribed to your blog. Your analysis is interesting.

Lady T

Member

@ Mo- that's how I see it. It really comes down to finding a healthy balance. I chose this method, to analyze my behavior in order to get to the source. I believe shopping to be more of a coping method rather than the problem. The issue is something deeper in which I've learned over time to keep at bay with the use of shopping and my love for fashion.

@Annagybe- Happy that you've signed on! I'm glad you're finding my take on it all of interest to you

rachylou

Veteran

I signed up as well. I know I need an adjustment after being hit by this economic downturn... but yes, it's funny how long it takes to adjust behaviour.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I've been reading. Very interesting. As a bartender, I see day in and day out how people drink. I'll equate shopping with drinking in some ways - it's not necessarily how much (though that factors in) but more importantly Why that takes it from a pleasant pasttime or experience into more destructive behavior.

Anonymous

I just subscribed to your blog.

Carole

Veteran

Can't wait to check it , sounds right up my alley!

Lady T

Member

@ Zapotee- Fantastic!

@ Carole- Have a look. Would love to hear your thoughts.

@ Rachylou- Welcome Learned and automatic behavior is a funny and finicky thing to change but not impossible. I know for myself, I'm seeing,,,feeling?...great progress.

@ Mo- Your correlation between drinking and shopping is right on, in my opinion. As a nurse and as a psychology student, I'm seeing more clearly how we all use certain activities as coping mechanisms, to stave off unpleasant thoughts or feeling....shopping, eating, exercising, gambling, drinking, etc... we use what fits our individual needs and interests. Unfortunately for me and my wallet, compulsive shopping is encouraged in our culture and even laughed about, because "seriously, how can a girl have a problem because she buys too many dresses?" It's not undesirable as someone who is drunk or obese. I hope you continue to follow me and share your thoughts.

Raisin

Veteran

Sounds interesting! I'm gonna check it out now!

D'Ellen

Veteran

Wow, LadyT! I've just done a quick read-through of your blog and, except for the fact that I'm 30 years older than you, we could be twins separated at birth. So many of your statements hit home with me. While I'm not in debt, I am looking forward to retirement in the next couple of years so I want (NEED) to get off the shopping merry-go-round before that significant decrease in income hits. You can bet I'll be checking back with you to see how you're faring, and to bolster my own willpower. Stay strong!

Lady T

Member

@Bionda- Wow, I really do think we could have been separated at birth! This new journey of mine to change my ways has been a long time coming but one of the big catalysts was my change in income flow. I left my stable full time job as a nurse with child services in August to return to university full time. The first few weeks on my substantially decreased income left me a little in a shock and I'll admit slight panic. How to work with such little funds, while holding on to debt and continuing to shop? So little funds to play with became the last kick in the butt I need to get myself sorted. Thanks again for reading & appreciating what I'm trying to do. Please check in with me and let me know how you're doing

Anonymous

I'm off to check out your blog LadyT! This all sounds very interesting!

Lady T

Member

@ Clearly Claire- Wonderful. Let me know what you think if you have a moment.