What Are the Triggers that Make You Shop Til You Drop?

Understanding the Psychological Triggers that Make Us Buy

How to be purposeful in creating living spaces that affirm your emotional and mental well-being; while inspiring calm, peace and joy.

Shop Pillow Covers Now: Natural Luxury Soft Covers

The feeling space

Have you ever wondered what makes you say yes to making a purchase? What exactly encourages you to say, “I’ll take it.” Have you ever gone to the store to get one or a few specific items, then out of nowhere you find your self buying something that wasn’t on your list, from a brand you never heard about.

The possibilities

When you have free time, do you think about using that time to go window shopping? How often do you put on clothes and drive to the mall to look around? How excited do you get going to local retail outlets to browse items, enjoying the displays, all without buying anything? Do you just enjoy the shopping experience?

Shopping is where the heart is.

What does that even mean?

I have friends and family who LOVE shopping. I mean they enjoy the browsing, the hunt, and the haggling of making that must-have purchase. Have you ever wondered why some of us love shopping so much? What drives them to spend (and hoard) so much, even when their closet is already full?

Designer Goods, Self-Esteem, & The Ego

There are times in my life when I subscribed to using high-end brands to help others see my success on display. I believed wearing designer clothes – a power suit in particular – would set the tone for an interaction with me. After doing some inner work, I have come to understand that I used suits, designer bags and shoes as a status symbol to prove that I belonged in spaces where I was often either the only woman, and/or the only black person.

Let’s do a deep dive so we can identify ways I learned how validate my worthiness, belonging, and transformation from within. Let’s do it.

BOLD SELF-LOVE

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT

PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS

JOYFUL  FULFILLED LIFE

Getting to the heart of the matter

A Sense of Belonging

Shopping and emotions are inseparable. The psychology of shopping show that we use goods to bring us pride, joy, and pleasure.

Emotional Spending

For many, shopping is a mood-lifter. Its a space for people to indulge in emotions whether they run high or low. Either way, shopping brings calm & comfort.

Shop Bonsai Trees Now: Live 10-year old; or Grow your own

What’s really going on?

We all have desires and needs-that pushes us to go shopping. More often we head to the stores to buy necessities, that’s obvious. Other times however, we are pulled to the stores for the latest fashion trends; and sometimes we head to the mall as an escape of current event. Many people find calm and comfort in shopping because it helps them take their minds off the day’s worries. I have heard many report shopping is great stress reliever!

the emotional connection

It is true that many shop in order to keep up with the latest fashion trends, and styles. Others find it important to keep up with the latest handbags and purses. I have friends who buy the latest looks in order to present the best – no matter who they are and where they are. “Outdressing” others and looking the best is extremely important to many. A sharp look helps women for example, feel confident. In addition, having the ability to buy what you want, when you want it is incredibly empowering – if only for the moment. Shopping is often viewed as a liberating and freeing experience. People who can fulfill their wishlist and purchase what they want feel in control and in power.

There is nothing quite like a piece of clothing that both affims and inspires you. Affirmations are positive statements that encourage you to challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts. When you repeat affirmation often, and believe them, you will see that you start moving differently.

Affirmations help you to stand tall, confidently, in all of your authentic brilliance.

/**/

“For many of us who self-worth was harmed often find value in high value goods to validate us. I am worthy in regular t-shirt and jeans” ~ Andrea Callahan

Click to Tweet

What About Window Shopping?

As written from research by My Move Home Inspirations

Window shopping is the activity of strolling or passionately through malls and retail outlets. The time spent is designated for browsing without the intention to make purchase. Window shopping may have some advantages without the debt or financial burden that overspending may cause.

Stress reliever

It may be a good distraction from stress and anxiety to go to the store and sift through products. I enjoy going to the bookstore as a leisure outing. I would often sit for hours in Barnes and Noble with a cup of chai tea, a slice of banana nut bread and 10-15 books! I found the environment relaxing and rewarding. It was a fun outing for my kids when they were young to sit in the kids area trying to dwindle their list down to 3 books. The “shopping” for books helped me relax.

Staying in the know

Are you the kind of person who wants to stay up to date with the latest fashion, books, films, gadgets and the like. Window shopping allows you to make an informed decisions when you are ready to buy. It also gives you talking points to get in the conversation at the water cooler or on social when others are discussing the latest trends.

Explore new spaces

While window shopping is typically known for retailers who have products on shelves or hanging from racks. However, exploring new cafes, restaurants, and bistors

Soft and natural light

For a fully relaxing space, replace harsh florescent lights with calming, nature-inspired or candle lights. Place different sources of light which will allow you to control the intensity and the areas to be lighted. Avoid projecting a strong direct light from the ceiling and take advantage of all possibilities to mix a floor lamp, a lamp set and indirect light.For the bed area, wall-mounted reading lights are very practical as they can be oriented to emphasize the respective area, unlike bedside lamps which are rarely flexible. If you like diffused light, you may opt for some nice (scented) candles.

Furniture simple and natural

Zen style furniture is characterized by simple and clear lines, avoiding complicated detail and excess ornamentation. The furniture should be high quality and made of natural materials as these bring a sense of warmth and relaxation. Storage pieces (closets, cupboards, chests of drawers) may be brought to life if painted in colors matching the rest of the interior.

Minimize ornaments and decorations

For wall decorations there is the same word of order: simplicity. Avoid collections of paintings or photos and keep only those that are especially dear to you. For a fully harmonious and playful library, cover all your books in monochrome paper.

Natural scents

A homemade linen spray, soy or beeswax candles, and essential oils are all natural ways to enhance your room with fresh scents, which can not only be calming when it’s time to sleep, but also invigorating when it’s time to wake.

Remove electronic disturbances

Electronic devices are most often a source of distraction and therefore do not integrate in a fully zen decor. However, if you need to have your TV set in the bedroom for instance, make sure you place it in a discrete area or hide it in a specially designed cupboard. As well, make sure you hide all wires and cables that could distort the serene atmosphere of the entire setting.

Calm with green plants

Plants have a calming effect through their soothing green colors and by providing oxygen. However, avoid flowers which need special maintenance or may emanate disturbing scents. Bonsai trees or hanging terrariums, for example, make a good choice and are often included in zen décor.

Eliminate clutter

Keep accessories and automatic technology announcements for example, to a minimum or eliminate them altogether, as clutter can inhibit relaxation. Clear your room of as many items as possible and keep only the essentials, but feel free to add whatever may bring extra comfort.

Let’s Go Deeper

As the bedroom is usually the key room of a zen interior, here are some special recommendations for bedroom furniture:

Bed placement

Place the bed close to a source of natural light and avoid placing it in front of the door or a passage area. The height of the bed must be one you feel comfortable with, but high beds (more than 55 cm) usually accentuate the sensation of comfort. Pick upholstered, leather or patchwork headboards;

Room decor

Keep your bed decorations to a minimum: use mohair, wool or fleeced covers or throws and do not exaggerate with the cushions. Rather go for different sized pillows with different pillowcases that you can arrange for sleeping or reading;

Room pieces

Nightstands, dressers, and armoires are very useful and a nice feature of the décor. Again, be careful to choose pieces that integrate well into the design;

Being mindful

For a reading nook, choose a simple armchair and pay attention to the simple lines of the furniture.

Next Steps: Let’s Get to Work

How to Design a Zen Lifestyle

Who can practice Zen lifestyle? Anyone. A Zen lifestyle transcends all religious & cultural backgrounds, there are countless non-Buddhists practicing Zen meditation (and lifestyle) for the limitless array of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits. You don’t need to be a master or anything, beginners often report amazing, jaw-dropping benefits.

8 Things You Can Do Today to Get Started an Affirming Lifestyle

Early rising: Early Birds understand that waking up early keeps them organized, focused and productive. If nothing else, the world is quieter in the morning so we can easily use this time to get in some uninterrupted, “Me-time.”Read affirmations: Set your specific goals for the day by declaring your intentions: ” I make healthy food and drink choices. I am going to drink 3-glasses of water today.”Move your body: Exercise and yoga are fantastic ways to release stress and tension because while you’re busy concentrating on your body, your mind can find clarity. Give your mind a break while working your muscles.Declutter for calm: A Zen lifestyle is one of clarity. One study finds that those who describe their home negatively in terms of clutter and mess are more likely to be stressed and experience adverse health effects. Contraily, people who characterised their homes with attributes of cleanliness and order were found to be happier.Take a breather: To be zen is to be mindful and to possess an awareness of the self. Know your strengths and weaknesses and embrace them. When you feel bogged down, take a break. That’s why holidays were invented, right? The vast majority of us don’t have the means to go on a vacation every second week, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t give yourself a break.Mindfulness meditation: Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind to center yourself in the now. Learn more…Be kind to yourself: Although embracing a zen lifestyle is about being minimalist but it doesn’t mean neglecting yourself. In fact, it means just the opposite. It means being mindful and purposeful on how you spoil yourself. There are so many ways you can spoil yourself while still living a zen lifestyle. Activities that you enjoy and find relaxing are so important to incorporate into you everyday routine. This can be anything from drinking tea, reading, puzzles, cooking, writing, taking photos, watching your favorite show, or anything that brings you joy. The idea is for you to find solace in what makes you happy. If you’re feeling uninspired or tense after a long day, tapping into your zen can prove difficult. Just remember that you don’t always have to go it alone. If you’re just getting started, may I invite you to join my BrilliantMoments private membership to embark on a journey of self-discovery, enlightenment, mindfulness, and change for joy.Rest well: In case you didn’t realize it yet, we’ve come full circle. Congratulations, you’ve just completed the first day of your zen life! After all of these new things you’ve began including in your day – waking up early, exercising, decluttering – you might be feeling a little bit tired. That’s great news, because now you can settle into a healthy sleep pattern.For some people, falling asleep can be as much of a challenge as waking up in the morning. Meditating before you go to bed are Is an excellent way to settle your mind and calm your body. The period before you prepare for sleep is the time you must dedicate to winding down. A clear mind not only makes falling asleep a smoother process, but can result in better and more complete sleep. Waking up early is far easier when you’ve had a restful sleep.

De-cluttering: a deeper dive

A bit more about the power of decluttering. There are moments where I can’t stand seeing piles of stuff everywhere, and it’s difficult for me to  function in a messy room. However, if I am honest, there are times when what I call basement moments where I don’t care. In those moments, I may be feeling overwhelmed, or anxious about an impeding deadline. Sometimes I shut down, things get away from me and I fail to care. Of course the backlash is a cluttered space promotes stress, leads to the inability to focus and impedes the flow of positive energy. When this happens, I use the decluttering process to clear my head, restore my energy, and get rid of items I no longer need.

Before you start closing up at the idea of throwing things away may I offer some information to help you get there. If you find it hard to let go of physical items, just use the Marie Kondo method. According to this method, the first thing you have to ask yourself when getting rid of items is: “Does the item spark joy?” If the answer is no, then you should donate it or give it to a friend. You’ll probably be surprised by how much you can eliminate to help organize your living space, by using this method. Once you get rid of all the clutter, you’re ready to organize your home and office in a positive and affirming way.

I restore my balance, improve my emotional and care for my mental well being by putting things back in their place, I  sweep around the floors with sea-salt water, because it is believed that mopping the house with salt water, will reduce the effects of negative vibrations. Finish off your big cleaning round with some nice home spray for a nice fresh smell and extra positive vibes! Once a month I sage both my home and office. Here is a free ebook that I read, “The Essential Smudge Guide Book: A Home Smudge Guide. Meaning of Smudging. Purify your Home. Cleanse Your Body, Mind and Soul. Universal Energy. Click here to get 5-packWhite Sage Aromatherapy sticks that I use when I meditate and cleanse.

Share

Tweet

Pin

Share

It’s Your Turn. Get Your Voice in the Conversation

Share your thoughts below, I’d love to hear from you.

[op3_comments_render][/op3_comments_render]

Special  Offer

/*

BRILLIANTMOMENTS

At the core, life is but a string of experiences, failures, and achievements. Lessons come with everything you do, we can’t control that. However, it’s an option for you to use failures and achievements as opportunities to be mindful, seek awareness and grow…and do so from a place of patience and self-love. Be kind to yourself. You are worthy. ~AC

FREE Webinars

DharmaMindBodySpiritIntentionHome

Just for YOU

[op3_menu_render menu_id=’83’ uuid=’v5YTg40q’ page_id=’2206′ page_timestamp=’1670617452′][/op3_menu_render]

Login or Register for your FREE Account

Log into Your Account

Remember meLog In

Don’t have an account yet? Sign Up!

Logging in for the first time or lost password? Click here!

Create a New Account

Sign Up

Back to Log In form.

Password Reset

Get New Password

Back to Log In form.

Password Reset

The instructions to reset your password are sent to the email address you provided. If you did not receive the email, please check your spam folder as well.

Back to Log In form.

You are already logged in

Log Out.

© Andrea A. Callahan 2009-2023.  All Rights Reserved @ACI Branding

Shop