I was just perusing YouTube, having a grand old time, when BOOM! This video came up and left me applauding! I just had to share it:
I really enjoy Hannah Louise Poston‘s content in general, she’s truly a multi-talented creative and just a joy to watch on YouTube. This video just happened to come out at the perfect time, and it really shook things up for me (in a positive way)!
What is “Shopping”, Really?
We’ve been talking about having healthy relationships with makeup on the blog lately, and healthy spending habits naturally falls out of that! For many of us though, a *little* lipstick or makeup addiction doesn’t break the bank, especially if you’re into drugstore formulas.
So sometimes, the issue surrounding shopping isn’t monetary.
Sometimes, it’s not the acquisition of the good, but the hunt for the product itself that we enjoy so much. It’s the experience of shopping we love – or should I say, the research! I somehow knew this and yet didn’t fully realize it or see it in myself until Hannah explained it in this video. She’s absolutely right!
You know we aren’t just hunt-and-pecking our way through a grocery store and calling it a day. We’re researching formulas, we’re consuming reviews, we’re doing product comparisons, colour analyses – you name it! And it’s great fun.
The side effect is subtle (or at least it was to me) – it’s not the money, it’s not the clutter… It’s the time. Sure, you can consider that time “fun time”, but eventually the question becomes:
What is all of that shopping research time displacing?
Is it family time? Is it restful time? Is it taking you away from the blog you wanted to write or the book you wanted to read?
Yup, It’s a Problem
“I’m busy.” It’s practically my catchphrase (although I’ve been consciously trying to stop that).
I feel busy, tired, and generally stretched nearly all of the time. Probably normal for a full-time working mama of two young kids, right?
But I have downtime! So how could this be, am I really that busy?
As I digested this video, I realized that no, I’m probably not that busy. It’s just that I was frequently using my downtime to pull up some shopping! That shopping (or research) was a go-to “de-stressor” for me, and a way to deal with discomfort.
It may feel fun, but it’s not necessarily restful or relaxing, it’s actually work and requires brain power. The time that I could have been using to really truly rest and recharge was spent on these “research projects” devoted to the acquisition of items I didn’t need (and half the time wouldn’t end up purchasing anyways).
Eye-opening!
The other thing that was eye-opening was realizing I’m not the only one who shops this way, and for that I’m delighted. 🙂
What Now?
For you, if you haven’t already I highly recommend giving Hannah’s video a watch! She also made a second part with updates and challenges she faced (which I also really enjoyed).
For me, similar to Hannah, I’ll be making a conscious effort to put down the shopping. I think even just being aware that I’m doing it (or wanting to reach for it) is helpful in curbing the habit and reclaiming my time!
Hannah was planning to replace some of that urge with reading a novel, and I think I will be doing the same as I have some books I’d love to get through but “haven’t had the chance yet”.
Apart from that, I think the big focus will be addressing the “source”. If I’m looking for a shopping opportunity, why is that? Am I just not used to feeling bored, or being still? Am I a bit stressed and need to find a way to truly relax, or address the source of the stress, rather than distracting myself from it?
And of course, loving my existing collection! But more on that later.
In the meantime, reclaim your time and remember, everything in moderation!
Featured image by freestocks on Unsplash
