Retail Therapy

I think that we joke about retail therapy a lot, but if I'm being honest there is something really empowering about going out and shopping and treating yourself. I've had so many challenges with my own mental health when it comes to financial stability, particularly in dealing with often unnecessary anxiety about it. I’ve always grown up with the assumption that if you make money, you should try to save as much of it as possible — and I think I have gotten into the habit of even shaming myself for spending money on myself. In the world of influencer gifting, I look at every purchase of clothing or beauty products as an irresponsible choice because, why wouldn’t I wait to see if I get a similar gift through a brand partnership? I’m trying to push past this unhealthy way of thinking though, because as a wise therapist of mine once said, “what’s the point of making money if you’re not going to be doing anything with it?”

I’m not talking about going for regular shopping sprees - for me, I am still learning to feel good about paying health insurance for myself, and buying organic options of food and not trying to find the cheapest option with the most coupon opportunities. So, baby steps — but progress is progress!