Whenever I see posters with the words "Retail Therapy", I just feel like throwing up. I'm wondering, why are there people or organisations who encourage people to spend more money in order to be happy. This is similar to what many countries' top leaders are telling their citizens: when GDP grows, we will struggle less and we will all become happier. But we know: this is just plain fart.
The logic is just plain wrong. Doing shopping to feel happy and relieve stress is akin to smoking and gaming. You will be addicted to it sooner or later and you will find that you haven't solved the root problem. Some people say it works for them. Hopefully it does. But if they are merely denying their problems and their real emotions, I don't think it's the best thing to do. Furthermore, it hurts the wallet. In the worst cases, the sufferers are bogged down in debt and ended up even more miserable.
This made me recall the conversation that author Kim Wong Keltner (http://www.kimwongkeltner.com) wrote in her book, "Tiger Babies Strike Back":
I desperately pressed the button to open the window for some air, but my dad had the child safety mechanism in place.
"I need to open the window!"
"What for?"
"Because I need air."
"I'll just turn on the vent."
"Can you please just press the button that unlocks the back window?"
"Hold on. The vent is on low. Can you feel it?"
"No, can I please just open the window?"
"I'll just turn the vent on medium."
"Please just let me open the window."
"You'll feel the vent any second."
Sweltering and breathing recirculated air, I reverted, once again, to pretending I was dead... ... I embodied the collective soul sickness of adult children in backseats everywhere. There was no escape.
- by Kim Wong Keltner, author of "Tiger Babies Strike Back"
You can clearly feel that the child's root problem is not solved. The root issue is that the child needs fresh air. However, the people around the child ignored her real plea and started throwing her solutions that didn't solve the real issue.
Solving the root problem is the most important thing to do.
Do you know what's your real problem? If you can't figure because you are no longer in a clear state of mind, talk to someone you know and trust. If not, why not find a psychologist and get some counselling and advice?
Or share your problems here in our forum. Simply letting out your problem is a milestone reached for solving the root problem because it is part of acknowledging honestly to yourself that something is wrong and needs to be fix. So sharing is healing. Don't be afraid . I've been through similar pain as you.
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More Websites:
Why "Retail Therapy" Works
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-why-behind-the-buy/201305/why-retail-therapy-works
Is Retail Therapy Good for You? Why that Shopping Buzz Isn't Worth It
http://addictions.about.com/od/glossar1/fl/Is-Retail-Therapy-Good-for-You.htm
To get Kim's book, visit the More Resources page.
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