Have You Ever Stopped to Think… Maybe Shopping Is Addicted to Me?

Have You Ever Stopped to Think… Maybe Shopping Is Addicted to Me?

I saw this sign on one of my doom scrolling sessions (you know, the kind you justify as “research” but somehow end up three pages deep in discounted candles and questionable leggings). I had never seen a truer question in my entire life!

Because yes, I am that mum. I am that woman. I am that female who can’t say no to shopping haul. 

I am….
The one who can sniff out a 70% off sticker from three aisles away.
The one who treats yellow-stickered reduced items like they’re buried treasure.
The one who gets an actual, physical buzz from seeing a price drop live in front of her eyes. Dopamine? Fully activated.

Truth is, I don’t just like a bargain. I thrive on them! The bigger the discount, the bigger the high. It’s not even about what I’m buying anymore, let me honest. It’s absolutely about the thrill of the chase. Finding something for £3.99 when it was originally £38? That’s not shopping. That’s a personal victory. I should be handed a medal at the checkout. Or at least a celebratory cup of tea!

Of course, the kids don’t always appreciate the haul. “But Muuuum, you already bought six storage baskets last month!”
Yes, darling, and now they’re all full. Try again.

There’s just something so delicious about stumbling across the perfect find, whether it’s a vintage piece of art work at the charity shop, a squishy cardigan on clearance, or a fancy olive oil bottle for half of the price that makes me feel like I’ve got my life completely together (even if dinner is fish fingers and peas… yikes).

Honestly? With the whole cost of living doing the absolute most lately, finding a bargain isn’t just fun, it’s necessary. Saving money feels like a radical act of self-care, especially when you’ve got little ones constantly outgrowing their trousers and mysteriously “losing” their fleeces and cardigans at school.

So maybe, I’m not actually addicted to shopping?

It is very possible that instead…..Shopping is addicted to me!

Therefore, it is not my fault. It keeps winking at me from clearance corners and whispering sweet nothings from the sales section. I’m only human. A very clever, budget-savvy, dopamine-hungry human with excellent taste in shoes.

So let’s all pause for a moment… Am I truly addicted to shopping?

Or has shopping developed a slight obsession n with me?

Everywhere I go, boom! There’s a sale. A flash deal. A ‘last one left in your size.’ Coincidence? I think not.

I’m just casually popping in for milk and somehow walk out with three marked-down pairs of shoes and a set of discounted ramekins.

I didn’t choose the bargain life. The bargain life chose me.

Furthermore, the bargain life has been passed down through family generations. From my mother who taught us how to shop and look out for the best sales, who was taught by her mum. 

It’s like shops sense my energy and rearrange their shelves accordingly.
“Oh look, she’s here again, quick, roll out the half-price loungewear!”

I don’t chase the deals… the deals find me.

Really makes you think.

Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a mid-season sale calling my name… and I do have a tote bag in the car, so technically this is responsible shopping.

Hannah x