Hi everyone, Shalom Aleichem!
Good evening GanSist everyone! 
Welcome back to Superwoman Seriesthe 109th, a series that discusses how women can become strong individuals physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
In previous series, we have discussed how shopping addiction can damage health, social relationships and financial condition. However, there is one thing that often makes it difficult for someone to get out of this habit, namely various lies that are continuously repeated until they sound like the truth.
In psychology, humans have a tendency to believe things they often hear, even though these statements are not always true. This phenomenon is known as illusory truth effect. It is not surprising that many people end up considering shopping addiction as something normal, even considering it as part of their lifestyle.
In fact, research shows that compulsive buying behavior is associated with stress, impulse control disorders, relationship problems, and reduced psychological well-being.
As a Superwoman, it is important for Sista to recognize various myths that are often misleading.
Here are 9 lies behind shopping addiction.
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1. Shopping Addiction Makes You More Feminine and Less Tomboyish
Some people think that women who like shopping are definitely more feminine. In fact, feminine and masculine traits are a much more complex concept than just buying habits.
Shopping addiction does not determine whether someone is more feminine or more tomboyish. In fact, if a shopping addiction causes someone to become irritable, impulsive, have difficulty controlling their emotions, and ignore their health, the quality of their personality and social relationships can actually decline.
Being feminine is not determined by how many products are purchased, but by the way a person views themselves, builds relationships, and takes care of themselves in a healthy way.
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2. Single women are unlikely to be addicted to shopping
This is also a wrong assumption. Various studies on compulsive buying behavior show that this condition can be experienced by anyone, whether married or single.
Some studies have even found that unmarried women who have certain levels of stress can show higher compulsive buying tendencies than other groups.
Of course, not all single women suffer from shopping addiction. However, marital status is not a guarantee that someone will be free from consumer behavior.
Shopping addiction does not choose relationship status. Shopping addiction can appear in anyone who has certain vulnerabilities.
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3. Shopping Addiction Is a Form of Respect for Your Partner
Some people think that buying lots of beauty products or certain items is a way to please their partner. In fact, if this habit turns into an addiction, the impact can actually damage the relationship.
Research on household conflict shows that financial problems are one of the main causes of conflict in relationships. Partners may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, taken advantage of, or lose their sense of financial security.
Healthy relationships are built through communication, mutual respect, and responsibility, rather than through uncontrolled consumer habits.
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4. Shopping Addiction Can Relieve Stress
This is one of the most widely believed lies. It is true that shopping can provide a temporary feeling of pleasure and relief.
However, these effects usually only last a short time. Afterwards, feelings of guilt, regret, anxiety and financial stress often emerge.
Research shows that compulsive buying behavior is actually linked to higher levels of stress and depression. This means that excessive shopping cannot solve problems, but only delays existing problems.
Managing stress positively is much more beneficial, for example through exercise, adequate rest, artistic activities, talking with trusted people, or religious activities.
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5. Shopping Addiction is Safe Because It Doesn’t Affect the Brain
This is also incorrect. The human brain has the ability to change and adapt which is called neuroplasticity. Both male and female brains have this ability, although there are some biological differences in brain development and function. Every habit that is done repeatedly can strengthen certain patterns in the brain.
Behavioral addictions, including compulsive buying behavior, are associated with changes in the reward system (reward system) and impulse control. As a result, a person can become more impulsive, have difficulty delaying gratification, and have more difficulty controlling certain urges.
To say that someone has become like an animal is a very offensive statement. What is more accurate is to say that addiction can interfere with impulse control and decision-making abilities.
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6. Drug Shopping Addiction Makes Women Healthier
Medicines and supplements have benefits if used according to the indications and recommendations of health workers. However, consuming excessive health products does not mean your body will be healthier.
In some conditions, continuous use of certain drugs can actually cause side effects, tolerance, dependence, or irrational use. The human body has a variety of complex adaptation mechanisms.
Therefore, the use of drugs for no apparent reason does not always provide additional benefits. True health is still built through a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition, physical activity and proper medical examinations.
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7. All Women Are Also Addicted to Shopping and That’s Normal
Many people do something doesn’t mean it’s right. In social psychology, humans do have a tendency to follow group behavior.
However, statistically normal does not always mean healthy or morally correct. Not all women experience shopping addiction.
Most women are able to manage finances, control expenses, and differentiate between needs and wants.
Therefore, using the excuse that all women are like that will only make it more difficult for women to change.
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8. Shopping Addiction Can Strengthen Friends
At first, friends may enjoy shopping together. However, if this habit turns into an addiction, the impact can actually damage social relationships.
Problems that can arise include frequently borrowing money, inviting other people to shop excessively, becoming irritable because of financial problems, or ignoring other people’s needs.
Research shows that financial stress can increase interpersonal conflict and reduce the quality of friendships.
Therefore, shopping addiction can actually cause friendships to become strained.
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9. You can stop whenever you want
This sentence is perhaps the most dangerous lie. Many people who experience addiction say that they can stop at any time. However, when they try to stop, they easily relapse, return to buying things they don’t need, and have difficulty controlling these urges.
This is one of the main characteristics of addictive behavior. If someone continues to fail to control their habit even though they have the intention to stop, it shows that the habit has a strong influence on their behavior.
The good news is that change is still possible. With self-awareness, social support, stress management, and professional help when needed, a person can learn to rebuild self-control.
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CLOSURE
Shopping addiction often persists not because a person is unintelligent, but because there are many myths that make this behavior seem normal and even profitable.
In fact, various studies show that shopping addiction can damage mental health, social relationships, financial conditions and overall quality of life.
As part of Superwoman Series #109, there is an important message to remember, that true freedom is not the ability to buy anything, but the ability to control yourself.
A Superwoman does not allow her life to be controlled by impulses, advertising, or harmful habits. Strong women dare to see reality, distinguish facts from myths, and choose habits that make them grow into strong women physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
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SOURCE
One Hundred Percent Male Y*ut*be Account (but adapted to a female style)
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