FOMO leads to shopping addiction

Darby Hinkley

As I slog through my daily 100-plus emails, it occurred to me that I might be an email hoarder.

Which led me to think my main issue might be FOMO, which means “fear of missing out.” I sign up for every dumb promotion, every possible coupon that’s available out there, every rewards program imaginable to humankind. For what? Five percent off? On something I probably don’t need anyway?

But I keep doing it, even though it stresses me out to have to sit down and scroll for minutes that turn into hours, just trying to save a few bucks.

I also take surveys online for money, which is a legitimate, real thing, but you basically get paid about 75 cents to $1.50 per 20- to 30-minute survey, and, half the time, the system kicks you out because you’re “not a good match.” So it’s honestly a pretty lame venture that I can’t stop doing.

Are we seeing a theme here?

Perhaps I have little self-control when it comes to saving tiny amounts of money, yet I also have a serious retail therapy problem. So I might save $5 with a coupon, but I’ll spend $50 to use it, usually on something that wasn’t on my list in the first place.

I’m trying to think of an example … OK, I recently purchased some blanket bags. Big bags that keep the dust off your folded blankets so you can store them cleanly. My husband saw one and asked, “What the heck is that?” And I told him there’s a blanket in there. I’m pretty sure he rolled his eyes, but I was too busy worrying about the next dumb thing I’m going to buy, like the four swimsuits I just purchased for little to no reason at all, as I already have at least four swimsuits.

Somebody stop me!

It’s truly an addiction. I enjoy that satisfied feeling I get from hearing those tags get scanned, and watching MY new items being placed into the shopping bag for me to take home to pile up and forget about for months. I literally get some kind of “shopper’s high” when I add items to my cart online and hit the checkout button.

If you get it, you get it.

I used to be a long-distance runner, and that feeling is similar to a “runner’s high,” which involves chemicals in your brain called endorphins. A Google search led me to this explanation from the Cleveland Clinic: “Endorphins are ‘feel-good’ chemicals that can help people feel better and improve their mood. The body releases endorphins in response to pain, physical stress, or exertion. In addition to relieving pain and stress, endorphins can also help people exercise longer.”

Since shopping isn’t necessarily exercise, with minimal physical exertion involved, I continued my quest for an explanation of the good feelings I get upon making a purchase. I recalled Psychology 101 from college, talking about dopamine and serotonin, which also affect mood. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “dopamine is a chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter, that’s produced in the brain and helps nerve cells send messages to each other. It’s known as the ‘feel-good’ hormone because it plays a role in the brain’s reward system and can cause feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation.”

Now we’re talking.

Dopamine plays a role in addiction, and my little shopping “hobby” has morphed to a level that could easily be categorized as an addiction, I’m sure.

Serotonin, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is a chemical that carries messages between nerve cells in the brain and throughout your body. Serotonin plays a key role in many bodily functions, such as mood, sleep, digestion, nausea, wound healing, bone health, blood clotting, and desire.

Whew! That was a lot of science all at once, but it’s interesting to learn why we act the way we do, scientifically.

While I’m searching for happiness in the next pair of casual shoes, the younger me would have been lacing up a worn-in pair of Nikes and hitting the road for a satisfying six-mile trek, all for zero dollars. And the benefits abound! Elevated mood, stronger muscles and bones, weight loss, a sense of accomplishment, you name it.

I’ve been out of shape for a while, but there’s no better time than now to get back into it. And there’s no better reason than to save money, stop wasting time shopping, and hopefully lose a few pounds in the process.

The main draw is the sense of accomplishment in knowing I’m doing something naturally beneficial for my body and mind, instead of clicking on those deals, then feeling buyer’s remorse shortly afterward.

Although a shopping addiction might not be the worst of them, it’s still a problem that needs to be solved. And with most addictions, when you take something away, you are more likely to succeed if you replace it with something healthy, such as exercise.

If you’re struggling with a shopping addiction, know you are not alone, and you can overcome it, one day at a time. I’m going to add walk/runs into my weekly routine to help me combat the urge to spend.

Hopefully, you can find a healthy alternative, as well.

Darby Hinkley is most likely to be seen browsing the clearance racks at Meijer or hanging out in the beauty aisle at Marshall’s when she’s not browsing the internet for hot deals on unnecessary items. Henceforth, she shall be seen walking on the Alpena Bi-Path chanting under her breath, “I do not need more stuff” repeatedly as she huffs and puffs her way to a happier, healthier self. Reach her at dhinkley@thealpenanews.com, or call 989-358-5691.