Confessions of a shopaholic
By Jessica Carver
IV Leader Staff, Mar 15, 2007
They say the first step in recovery is admitting that you
have a problem.
I have a problem. I am a shopaholic. It started out small,
picking up a few things here and there. I had the money, why not, right?
Then it slowly progressed into something more, something much
more. It was fine was I was little. I had no responsibility, what else would I
spend my money on than myself?
Of course I provided for birthdays and holidays for my family
and friends. I got all the things I wanted as gifts, but if there something I
could not possibly wait for, which was most likely a Barbie, I bought it for
myself.
Then I got a little older and got more allowance and more
money for holidays. This is about the time I discovered fashion was the best
thing on the entire planet.
This is really where I became a shopaholic. I do believe it
started because I had to wear a uniform to school throughout grade school. I was
making up for not being able to look unique. When high school came, I had to
wear a completely different outfit everyday.
I needed clothes, or so I thought. I had to have all the
latest fashions. I already had a pretty decent start from grade school. It was a
benefit that for one, I was spoiled rotten, and two, I have not gained any
weight since eighth grade, so all my clothes still fit.
Then I got a job at the beginning of my senior year. Now I
had a guaranteed $150 or so a week in a paycheck. I still had no bills, so I
bought clothes, shoes, purses, accessories, everything. If I liked it, I bought
it, because I had the money. I started running out of money when I was spending
more than I was earning.
When this began, I realized I did not need anymore fashion.
The urge is still there, and on holidays, I go incredibly overboard. I am
starting to spend money on others instead of myself, so this hopefully a step in
the right direction.
Someday I can declare I am no longer a shopaholic. Then
again, who am I kidding?