The Reason Shopping Makes You Miserable

The Minimalists are joined by Michael Easter, author of “The Comfort Crisis” and “Scarcity Brain,” to talk about why retail therapy makes people unhappy. This is a highlight from episode 422. Watch the entire Private Podcast episode: / theminimalists
FREE MINIMALIST RULEBOOK: minimalists.com/rulebook
SHOW NOTES: minimalists.com/podcast
FOLLOW THE MINIMALISTS:
Instagram: / theminimalists
TikTok: / theminimalists
Twitter: / theminimalists
Facebook: / theminimalists
Threads: threads.net/@theminimalists
KZbin: / theminimalists
Podcast: applepodcasts.com/theminimalists
Blog: theminimalists.com
#TheMinimalists #RetailTherapy #Debt

[@TheMinimalists]

How does shopping make you feel?

[@user-3l1]

stressed

[@ginamarie5575]

Mixed emotions… sometimes great when I need a certain item and I find it at a thrift store for a great deal 😅it can be stressful too if the store is crowded or if the music is loud and annoying… I just want to get out of there honestly. I try to only buy what I need … doesn’t always happen . The worst is when you can’t afford shopping but you do it anyways …. Because it’s highly addictive for many .

[@dreamariemiller]

​@ginamarie5575 This is such a great visual description of the whole arc in relation to shopping (for me). I have reframed thrifting as a hobby, as I do really enjoy it if it is a calm thrift store where other people are engaged and enjoying the experience. And, as you said, when there is a healthy relationship with the money/time/emotions, rather than running from a deficit of some sort. ✨️🌸✨️

[@mariettestabel275]

We don't need all that stuff 👋.

[@meh-hair-Vaughn]

People, i.e. human beings, have been nothing but a disappointment my whole life. Toxic, jealous, rude, flaky, selfish, and on the list goes. Stuff, on the other hand, never disappoints. All the material possessions I have have added tremendous value to my life, and continue to do so. Besides, I am not a 'compulsive' shopper and instead am an 'intentional' shopper, wherein I thoroughly research every purchase before spending my money. Also, I don't go into debt for my purchases. I always pay the entire amount in cash. Now, I know that 'stuff' is not a replacement for genuine human connection (in fact, it essentially serves as a very poor 'replacement' for fulfilling relationships, at least for me). But at least it gives me a 'false sense of peace', which I'll trade any day for the 'real hell' that is human beings (😂 / 😔) I wasn't sure if this is funny or sad, so I've included both the emojis... Something tells me it's a bit of both...

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

I am old enough to have seen how our society has evolved. Years ago we didn't have the expectation of glamour, on demand entertainment, facebook pictures of happiness, constant advertising, etc so we bought what we actually needed and pleasure was in the small moments. I have watched as people change and now they chase that picture of happiness instead of seeing it in the small things (like a sunset, a silly pet, a child's drawing, a surprise visit from a friend). I have fallen into the happy purchase trap a time or two, the thing made me smile a few times, then I gave the thing away, it's an easy to get caught in THAT trap.

[@sripriyapc]

I have realized I have a shopping addiction so have a no buy Jan 1 till may 31 , 2024 as a challenge to change the habit

[@smoothtruth]

❤

[@smoothtruth]

​❤@@sripriyapc

[@bluehairedlawyer8242]

People have always been chasing that. We didn't start the fire

[@LesegoMadisaEllesG]

Social media = expensive cosplay

[@amberklein1560]

Wow. I never thought shopping was like gambling to the brain. What an eye-opener. I will definitely shop differently from now on.

[@shirleyburnham2782]

I think when you shop on impulse it's excitement at first and then disappointment sets in. I've did this so often now i try to wait or if i buy something i often take things back x

[@susanf4857]

I take a picture of something I want when I'm out shopping and then about it for awhile. Most times I decide I don't want the item a week later.

[@dana7340]

Once I minimized/simplified most of my stuff I replaced it with Doom Scrolling which had a terrible impact on my mental health. So I replaced that with house plants, gardening and raising meat rabbits. I’m happily busy and feeding my family healthy organic foods. Win/win.

[@fujidenzo_kid4147]

For me it was when I moved out from my parent's house and started renting my own house, once you know how difficult it is to move your stuff, you learn to let go and not accumulate things lol. And I now lived in the 3rd floor, whew, I own less now 😂😅

[@robertross8565]

Fantastic video.

[@misssicily100]

Las Vegas is all about just fun. When I am there I feel that I am in a movie.

[@mariettestabel275]

It's a kind of emptiness inside that people want compensate with buying things that they don't need..or gambling and so on...

[@nmartin5551]

You nailed it.

[@PlantNativeTrees]

Americans are out of control and have been for some time.

[@perrycoffey5410]

Definitely especially with cars they spend 30,000 plus on a piece of metal

[@ginamarie5575]

Yes and during the holidays it amplifies . It’s sad all the waste… so much garbage on shelves…..made in China …… then to buy it at an inflated price for a Christmas gift . 🤦‍♀️ time is the most precious gift you can gift anyone ;) 🎁 and truly listening to someone with full attention and eye contact. 🤩 that’s priceless ;)

[@PlantNativeTrees]

We should go on a date 😘@@ginamarie5575

[@smoothtruth]

​❤@@ginamarie5575

[@natashyas4149]

Wow this is fascinating

[@eks2024]

I stopped buying and I think I'm depressed and my family tooo as they keep seeing me with the same clothes and hairstyle. It's hard to know why I'm depressed as I don't lack anything.

[@smoothtruth]

❤

[@nmartin5551]

You are missing something in your life, but I’m sure it isn’t stuff or style.

[@justzaya]

may be a spiritual matter?

[@robertross8565]

I hate shopping; it is a disease. 😊

[@mariettestabel275]

👋 We don't need all that Stuff..

[@sara.cbc92]

How did you get Scott Adkins on ur podcast?

[@canadafree2087]

They played the guest slot machine and he is the one they won?

[@RhymesWithSpark]

I think it's disturbing that certain financial advisors say phrases like the “stupid tax” when it's a compulsion and addiction when people are suffering mentally, emotionally, and financially. It might be best to shut those voices out of your life and embrace those who speak to you positively about your financial journey and getting help.

[@OrianaMalina]

So true!

[@shellone28]

In some cases, sure. There are those who require a wake-up call and a hard reality check to resonate. Often times irresponsible spending can be attributed to poor decision making, or poor judgement, refusal to delay gratification, competitiveness, peer pressure, or simply giving into a purchase in favor of dealing with the consequences later. Lien-holders, lenders, and credit card companies don’t accept mental or emotional health issues as cause for default, or compassionately forgive debt. If harsh talk saves someone from bankruptcy, foreclosure, divorce, and misery , wonderful. There is an endless stream of options for sources of information and varying communication delivery methods. Different strokes for different folks.

[@nmartin5551]

I think terms like “stupid tax” are intended as the “slap in the face” to get peoples’ attention. It isn’t inferring that these people are literally stupid, but they clearly are missing a very important aspect of self reflection. And it’s catchier than “existential my life is lacking something tax”.

[@kacyandlaura]

There are a variety of reasons why we misspend. Everyone needs a wake up call at times. When we get one we have to decide what to do with it. Personally I like a more straightforward approach and feel a more sensitive and nuanced way of talking wouldn’t be quite as effective for most people.

[@carmeenamack]

Omg I’m a gambling pigeon 😳

[@smoothtruth]

❤

[@panoskappaofficial]

Where is Ryan?

[@stephaniehernandez_90]

You look so serious on the phone 😆

[@user-rq6ej3dh9o]

Pacifiers : like food : epidemic of both storage units and morbid obesity

[@pinkroses135]

That's messed up

[@user-rq6ej3dh9o]

Go Tokyo and see grown ass adults playing a slot type machine with balls where they just keep redistributing these balls like theyre a hamster in a wheel

[@user-rq6ej3dh9o]

Habit forming pacifier

[@aidao274]

I’m not sure if anyone noticed but lately, if you look even only at the video thumbnails, let alone watch the videos, it seems the whole thing is centred around a group of “wise men” criticizing women. Even if they had women in their podcast, very few of them 🥹 though, it all seems to be so condescending, the tone is too judgemental as well. I learned a lot from them in the beginning, but now I am disappointed.

[@bluehairedlawyer8242]

That's the only way to turn a profit. It's disgusting though. Mabye they can talk about their own problems for a change

[@user-rq6ej3dh9o]

Love this podcast but that other guy sounds like Kermit the Frog, anyone agree? 😅