Understand Your Shopping Habits in Times of Transition

Years ago, I was bored and feeling blue. I went to Hobby Lobby and came home with $80 of stuff. I was in college at the time, so it was mostly apartment things such as a floor lamp. I couldn’t afford any of it, and the charge went on my credit card. Later, I recognized that particular trip as retail therapy.

During this time of COVID, I’m noticing my husband and I are buying more stuff. We tend to focus on experiences and travel, intentionally living small at home to live large out in the world. But when you’re mostly at home, it’s easy to look around and see gaps. Our office furniture needed to be upgraded. We’re cooking more, which means a few more kitchen items. We’re not going out and spending money at events, parks, restaurants, or other countries. Instead, we’re ordering things online: more board games and kindergarten workbooks for our child, quilting supplies, video games, and who knows what else.

Even without COVID, times of transition may change your shopping habits. You might:

• Buy more stuff as retail therapy. Transitions are challenging. Buying things feels satisfying. Sometimes, it feels like you’ve got a handle on life when you can come home, arms full, and finally get that living room looking just right. Studies show shopping can lift your mood.
• Buy more stuff online. Obviously, COVID has led to a lot of this because we want to stay out of stores. But others in transition may also find it more convenient. Who has time to spend an hour hunting down an item at a store when you’re caring for kids and aging parents or going through a divorce or managing a new medical problem?
• Buy more stuff in general. Whether online or not, you might find, as I have, that you’re buying more to replace outside experiences or to cure boredom.
• Buy less. Maybe your transition has you focused on other things, or you just don’t have time to worry about picking up a new candle or replacing that ratty dish towel. However, this might also mean not buying items you need. Maybe you’re ordering takeout or eating more fast food because you don’t have time to get groceries or cook. One study indicates that those most affected by COVID’s economic impact are shopping online less.

Have your shopping habits changed?

While there are plenty of articles discussing and predicting changes in Americans’ consumerism going forward, my key point here is about seeing yourself. If your shopping habits have changed, why? What does that mean for your ability to stay somewhat organized? Because here’s the thing: if you’re going through a transition, you’re probably already overwhelmed.

Some thoughts to consider:

• Do you have the time or energy to process stuff? While buying stuff online to save time makes sense, you still have to handle the items as they arrive. Online shopping leads to more trash. Unwrap box, put the item away, put the box in the recycling bin, put the packaging in the trash or recycling bin. If the box is large, you may need to haul it to a separate recycling location. If you don’t take the time to process, it’s just one more thing piling up in life, adding to your overwhelm.
• Is that stuff helping? If you’re buying for emotional reasons, we get it! But that short-lived high may be costing you in the long run: more stuff to manage and more bills to pay. Would a (masked) trip to the mall help lift your spirits if you were to window shop without buying? Or can you find therapy in other ways, such as a walk?
• If you’re buying less stuff, is that good, and you’re saving money? Or are you ignoring your needs or health: eating too much fast food or running out of critical items such as prescription medications?

Shopping as a hobby isn’t bad, and neither is buying stuff. But in times of transition, it’s easy to lose sight of ourselves — and that’s only going to increase the overwhelm you feel. If you can stop for two minutes, look around and consider whether how you buy has changed at all and whether that’s good, bad, or neutral.

As you transition to a new home, a new job, caring for someone, or any other change, we are here to help you feel less overwhelmed. Contact us for help staying organized during life’s transitions.