Hustle, Consume, Repeat: How I Overcame Mindless Shopping and Found True Fulfillment

Mindless shopping was a vice I had to overcome, and much like alcohol and sugar, it wasn’t easy. It was a habit that started young—when I was a teenager, hanging out at the mall with friends was the thing to do. I’d spend most of my allowance at Ardene’s, with any leftover cash quickly disappearing in the candy aisle at Bulk Barn.

A lot of us develop these habits early on, without ever questioning them. The dopamine hit we get from buying something new is instant, making us believe that shopping and acquiring things equals happiness. But, let’s face it—this behavior is fueled by marketing and advertisements that bombard us, convincing us we need things we never even thought about until they were put in front of us.

As I grew older and my income increased, I found myself falling deeper into the trap of mindless browsing and impulsive buying. It felt harmless at the time—everyone was doing it, right? But if you pay attention to your shopping habits, you'll notice how they're often trying to fill a void or cope with emotional needs—whether boredom, sadness, or stress—and it becomes a dangerous cycle. It’s often referred to as "retail therapy," but it’s far from therapeutic. We convince ourselves that these things will bring joy, only to feel the guilt and dissatisfaction when the temporary high fades.

I finally had to stop and ask myself: why was I shopping? What emotional need was I trying to fulfill? The more I reflected on it, the clearer it became that most of my purchases came from a place of boredom and emotional vulnerability. I’d scroll through social media, mindlessly engaging with ads, and suddenly feel like I couldn’t live without whatever it was they were selling. And how many times has that happened to you? You talk about something with a friend, and then an ad for it pops up on your feed—creepy, right?

The truth is, these impulse purchases never brought lasting happiness. Each time I’d buy something without intention, it would lose its significance almost immediately. That temporary pleasure would fade, leaving behind guilt, shame, and the urge to go buy something else to fill the emptiness. The more I shopped to escape my emotions, the more I trained my brain to respond impulsively to feelings of boredom or dissatisfaction.

Breaking this cycle was not easy, but it was necessary. I had to learn to disrupt the pattern and practice new, intentional habits around shopping. Sure, I still enjoy shopping, but now I approach it with a much healthier mindset. The key is introspection: I ask myself, “Why do I feel like I need this?” and “Will this truly add value to my life, or is it just a momentary distraction?”

One of the most effective ways I’ve learned to manage my shopping habits is by adding time to the decision-making process. I’ll put an item in my cart and wait a week to see if I still want it. If it doesn’t resurface in my mind, then I know it wasn’t something I truly needed. This small delay helps me avoid acting on impulse and ensures I’m making a rational, thoughtful purchase. You won't believe how much shit I've emptied from my cart!

Creating rules and boundaries around shopping is another way to help minimize impulsive buying. Here are a few strategies I’ve found effective:

• Avoid buying similar items in different colors to prevent unnecessary clutter.
• Prioritize second-hand items, which are not only more affordable but also more sustainable.
• Shift your focus from material possessions to experiences—spending on travel, classes, or events enriches your life in ways physical items cannot.
• Stick to a shopping list and only buy what you genuinely need.
• Limit online shopping to specific days to reduce temptation.
• Establish a budget for discretionary spending and stick to it.
• Unsubscribe from retail newsletters to cut down on the constant barrage of promotions.

Most importantly, I had to recognize my emotional triggers. Shopping when I was stressed, sad, or bored was a recipe for regret. By taking a moment to reflect on a purchase weeks later, I was able to assess its true value in my life and reinforce my healthier shopping habits.

Of course, as I cut back on mindless shopping, I faced a deeper issue—what was I really trying to escape from? I had to confront the raw feelings of boredom, stress, and dissatisfaction that I had been masking with shopping. This process wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. I learned to face my emotions head-on.

As I reflect on this journey, I realize that overcoming mindless shopping—and all of the other vices I struggled with—wasn’t just about changing habits. It was about transforming my mindset and learning to live more intentionally. I often felt the urge to shop, drink or eat to reward myself for the hard work, hustling and grinding I was doing. Slowing down and living at a more reasonable pace help alleviate this cycle as I felt more content in my daily life and no longer needed to escape from it. And if I can do it, so can you.

To help you on your own path to breaking free from mindless shopping and other unhealthy habits, I’ve written my new book Wake Up and Smell the Coffee. It’s a guide to living more intentionally, with practical tips and insights to help you break free from the cycle of consumerism and embrace a life of purpose and fulfillment. I invite you to read it and take the next step toward becoming the best version of yourself.