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Hi everyone, Shalom Aleichem!
Good evening GanSist everyone! 
In several previous series, the Superwoman Series has discussed various ways to build women who are strong physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. We’ve discussed the importance of exercise, managing finances, avoiding people pleasingbuilding positive habits, and developing a tough mentality.
In this series, we will discuss one habit that is often considered trivial, but can develop into a serious problem if not controlled, namely shopping addiction or compulsive buying disorder.
Many people think shopping is just a way to find entertainment. Occasionally buying things that are really needed is certainly not a problem. However, when someone starts using shopping as their main escape from stress, loneliness, anxiety, or boredom, this habit can develop into behavior that is difficult to control.
Research shows that compulsive shopping behavior is associated with difficulty controlling impulses, increased stress, regret after purchasing, financial disruption, and even reduced quality of life. Ironically, the feeling of pleasure that arises when buying goods usually only lasts a short time so that someone is encouraged to repeat the same behavior.
As part of Superwoman Seriesthe 149th, following 9 mental breakdowns that should be watched out for when shopping addiction is allowed to continue to grow.
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1. No Longer Enjoying Simple Happiness
One change that often appears is a reduced ability to enjoy simple things, such as walking in the evening, reading a book, exercising, chatting with family, playing a musical instrument, cooking, all of which feel less interesting than the sensation of buying new things.
In fact, the happiness that comes from simple experiences is usually more long-lasting than the momentary satisfaction resulting from impulsive shopping.
The more often the brain receives instant stimulation, the more difficult it is to appreciate activities that are actually much more meaningful.
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2. Discipline and Impulse Control Decreases
Controlling desires is a skill that must continue to be trained. When a person continually follows every urge to buy, the ability to control impulses can become increasingly weakened.
As a result, it’s not just expenses that are difficult to control. Other habits such as procrastinating, overeating, or difficulty maintaining a routine can also become more difficult to control.
Discipline is the basis for much success. If these foundations begin to become fragile, various aspects of life will be affected.
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3. Difficult to Enjoy Long-Term Satisfaction
Impulse shopping provides a quick feeling of pleasure. However, this satisfaction usually does not last long. As a result, the brain gets used to looking for instant rewards.
On the other hand, activities that require a long process, such as learning a foreign language, practicing a musical instrument, writing a book, building a business, or completing education, feel boring.
In fact, it is precisely these long-term achievements that often provide deeper life satisfaction.
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4. Achievement decreases because productivity decreases
Time is a resource that cannot be returned. If most of your time is spent looking at catalogues, comparing products, following promotions, or thinking about the next item you want to buy, time for positive activities such as studying, working, or developing skills will decrease. Productivity decreases. Opportunities for development are reduced.
Gradually, the achievements that can actually be achieved become delayed simply because attention is constantly taken up by consumer habits.
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5. Mentally tired easily and having difficulty thinking clearly
Every decision requires mental energy. The more often a person is faced with the choice of buying or not buying, the greater the burden on his mind.
Not to mention, regret appears after shopping, worries about financial condition, or feelings of guilt towards yourself.
This combination of factors can make a person feel mentally tired quickly and make it more difficult to make decisions calmly.
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6. Dependent too much on medication or supplements for fear of getting sick
Shopping addiction doesn’t always consist of clothes or electronics. Some people continue to buy medicine, vitamins or supplements because of excessive fear of disease.
In fact, supplements only function as a complement if necessary. Health is maintained through a nutritious diet, adequate sleep, physical activity, vaccinations as recommended, and consultation with health workers when necessary.
If every small complaint is immediately responded to by buying various health products without a clear medical basis, anxiety can actually increase.
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7. Difficult to concentrate because your mind is constantly focused on shopping
Research has not shown that shopping addiction directly impairs short-term memory. However, this behavior can make it difficult for a person to concentrate. Your mind is often filled with promotions, lists of things you want to buy, or plans for your next shopping trip.
As a result, attention to work, studies, or conversations with other people decreases.
Not because the ability to remember is lost, but because mental focus is constantly divided.
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8. Difficult to be grateful
Gratitude grows when someone is able to appreciate what they already have. On the other hand, consumer culture often makes someone feel inadequate. There’s always new stuff. There are always the latest models. There’s always another discount.
If this mindset continues to be maintained, life satisfaction will become increasingly difficult to achieve. People who are able to enjoy a warm cup of tea, time with family, or a quiet afternoon often have better psychological well-being than those who continue to pursue satisfaction through consumption.
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9. Total Production Continues to Increase
One of the characteristics of various addictive behaviors is the emergence of tolerance, namely the need to obtain greater stimulation to produce the same satisfaction.
In the context of shopping, someone who previously felt satisfied buying goods worth 100 thousand rupiah might then be encouraged to buy goods worth 500 rupiah, even 1 million rupiah to get a similar sensation.
This increase does not always occur in everyone, but is a pattern that has been widely observed in compulsive shopping behavior.
If not stopped, this condition can cause increasingly serious financial problems.
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CLOSURE
As part of Superwoman Series #149, this discussion reminds us that shopping addiction is not just a matter of spending more money. This behavior can affect your way of thinking, ability to control yourself, productivity, mental health, and overall quality of life.
The good news is, this habit can be changed. Reducing exposure to promotions, creating a clear budget, delaying impulse purchases, developing more meaningful hobbies, exercising, strengthening social relationships, and seeking professional help when behavior becomes difficult to control are steps that have been proven to be healthier.
Strong women are not those who can afford all the things they want. Strong women are those who are able to control their desires, use money wisely, and find happiness from personal growth, healthy relationships, and a life with purpose.
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SOURCE
Black, D. W. (2007). A review of compulsive buying disorder. World Psychiatry, 6(1)14-18.
Koran, L. M., Faber, R. J., Aboujaoude, E., Large, M. D., & Serpe, R. T. (2006). Estimated prevalence of compulsive buying behavior in the United States. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(10)1806-1812.
Müller, A., Mitchell, JE, & de Zwaan, M. (2015). Compulsive buying. The American Journal on Addictions, 24(2)132-137.
Turel, O., He, Q., Xue, G., Xiao, L., & Bechara, A. (2014). Examination of neural systems sub-serving Facebook “addiction”. Psychological Reports, 115(3)675-695.
World Health Organization. (2020). Healthy Diet. World Health Organization.
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