Treating Ourselves
There are many ways we care for ourselves, some good and some bad. Shopping has been engrained in us as a way to treat ourselves. Yet, it’s not always the best way to show self love and can even have some harmful consequences.
Why we shop to “treat” ourselves
When I’m anxious, I tend to shop. That’s because shopping feels good. When we shop, our brain releases dopamine, the chemical that causes pleasure. Shopping feels like a quick fix to the stresses of every day life.
Additionally, we’re given messages every day that we aren’t as happy as we can be. Advertisements tell us that if we had more things, we’d be more beautiful, healthier, smarter, more popular, etc. We treat ourselves to feel better about ourselves.
Why shopping isn’t treating ourselves
Shopping no longer feels like treating myself. Often times, the things I “treat” myself with don’t actually bring me joy long term. Rather, the fatigue caused by extra clutter and the annoyance when that item doesn’t work as planned makes me feel worse in the end. What’s more, I could have spent that money and time on things that would actually improve my life, like investing in my career, contributing to my retirement savings, or traveling. Most often, shopping is the opposite of treating myself.
Alternative ways to treat ourselves
I’ve found alternative ways to treat myself since exploring minimalism that don’t have the same financial and mental toll.
Stretching: We’re often so busy, we don’t give ourselves time to treat our bodies right. Even if we do exercise, we may skip this vital piece. Stretching shows us that we care for our health and how we physically feel.
Decluttering: I’ve written about how decluttering prevents shopping. Not only that, it feels really good to curate the peaceful space we deserve. When we feel like we need a pick-me-up, we should consider decluttering.
Therapy: Therapy is expensive and is often unattainable for those who lack health insurance. For those with the privilege to access these services, we could consider putting the time and money we would have spent shopping towards an extra therapy session.
Charity: Donating money to causes we care deeply for can take away the urge to spend money and will make us feel good. Dollars spent there can have a much greater impact on our lives and the lives of others than any shopping spree can.
In conclusion
We deserve to pamper ourselves and receive self love. However, it may be time to reevaluate what that exactly means. Minimalism offers a more sustainable way to treat ourselves.
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