Strangelongtrip
MyPTSD Pro
I relate to this so much. After I stopped binge drinking/using drugs excessively, I moved onto buying things to cope. The excitement when you order them, and when they arrive. It helped me. I actually didn't get over it until I lost my job this year bc of COVID and money was uncertain. What helped me is looking at what these purchases (sometimes books, too, I'm a writer!) did for me as a coping mechanism.
They gave me something to look forward to, something to "identify" myself, and something to treat myself. So I deconstructed that and said okay, how can I do these things without spending all this money (without spending money at all, was my goal), and in a healthier way? This lead to me making more art, constructing outfits out of what I have, and reading the books I have or researching them extensively before I buy. Lots of publishers also run deals on books, I've gotten tons of e-books for 99 cents to 2.99, or even free in some cases (I really like TOR).
So maybe deconstructing what these purchases do for you, and how you can replicate that without spending money? I wish you the best!
They gave me something to look forward to, something to "identify" myself, and something to treat myself. So I deconstructed that and said okay, how can I do these things without spending all this money (without spending money at all, was my goal), and in a healthier way? This lead to me making more art, constructing outfits out of what I have, and reading the books I have or researching them extensively before I buy. Lots of publishers also run deals on books, I've gotten tons of e-books for 99 cents to 2.99, or even free in some cases (I really like TOR).
So maybe deconstructing what these purchases do for you, and how you can replicate that without spending money? I wish you the best!