March 3rd 2020: My online shopping ban

I've spent most if not all of 2020 so far not shopping online, by choice. Even when it would have been the convienent option. Even when I REALLY wanted to. I made a conscious decision and wanted to test my willpower to follow through. I also made a rule to only buy things I had put on a list prior to entering the stores. I went in with the intention to buy only what I was there for, unless it was something I knew I needed but forgot to add to the list, (like soap) then I'd give myself a pass on this rule. I almost caved a couple times through out the past couple months. Targets dollar spots became something I had to avoid, nothing I ever need is there, just a bunch of wants. I browsed online occasionally, mostly to price compare things and to know if the store I planned to visit even carried what I needed. I felt myself being suckered into wanting things I didn't need.

Of course, the ads that social media pushes must have known I was on a detox from online shopping because they were coming on strong. Even my Target and Amazon apps got a little pushy after I hadn't visited them in a while. Which actually irritated me, and made me realize that most "deals" are manipulative and make you think you need/want things that you don't. I started creating a list for the things I deemed as wants, and made it a rule to not buy them unless I could find them at a thrift store or DIY it. Anything else waits on another list for an extended period of time. This way I can gauge how much I actually want it, and if the urge is still strong after that time, it's a go. I'm officially lifting the online ban for myself, however I don't foresee myself shopping for daily convenience anytime soon. I feel like this reset my relationship with spending and opened my eyes to the advertising BS I'm tired of falling for.