Overconsumption is one of the most serious problems in consumer behaviour, causing havoc on the environment as well as mental health. In terms of style and psychology, impulsive over-shopping reveals a lot about our taste and mental condition as consumers. In the current economic and environmental climate, understanding our retail habits in terms of why we purchase and why we overshop is becoming increasingly crucial.
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I am Vanshika Mahajan, 23 year old fashion communication student from Pearl Academy, based in New Delhi. I have been fortunate enough, to get whatever I desire since childhood. I always loved to shop and keep myself up to date with latest fashion trends. Whenever I felt sad or depressed my first coping mechanism was always shopping. I went through my teenage years indulging in mindless shopping thinking about the minor/ temporary happiness, that came from it. Now in my twenties, I often find myself thinking that does my happiness depends on these materialistic things only? I gradually learned that this was not the case. It was all in my head.
I desire and need less as I become older. I'm becoming older and less interested in spending money. And when I do need to buy anything, I attempt to shop mindfully.
I used to have a lot of wants (and/or needs) when I was younger. I was in desperate need of new clothing. I was looking for high-tech equipment. I was looking for books. I was sure that to be happy, I needed a fast computer, as well as a large house with plenty of furniture. None of my buying was done with care. It was just senseless.
Purchasing items now appears to be more of a chore than a reward.
For starters, buying something requires me to spend money, which I'd rather save for more important things like my future or the things i genuinely love like traveling.
Shopping mindfully has improved my mental health is so many ways. Now i enjoy the little things and be present in the moment rather than being envious about what other people are wearing, how expensive there belonging are. I have become more calm and focussed in my day to day life.
But i still feel that I'm not 100% there yet, I believe still have to learn as it goes.
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