Have you ever been to a thrift store?  Have you ever been to a thrift store and found a new (or like new) item for pennies?  If you’re the sort of person that loves finding a great item at a phenomenal price, you may well enjoy the thrill of going to a thrift store.  This feeling must be a difficult one to ignore, particularly if you’re someone who really enjoys shopping.  If you feel absolute joy while shopping, how do you turn off that “happy switch?”  The thrift store thrill will likely be more magnified because you can easily get a lot of stuff for just a few dollars.  What if you are a hoarder?

…and what  happens when you get home and the full realization hits you that there isn’t enough room to store it all?  This sounds like a roller coaster ride between two emotions: superb glee on one hand and desolation on on the other with no “in between.” Recently, as I watched an episode of Hoarders, this was the struggle one of the women profiled faced.  She was a bargain hunter.  When she found something in good condition on sale, she seemed to be at her happiest…until…

If you have a hoarder in your life who does a lot of shopping, it’s important to realize that he/she may not have as much control over their “happy switch” when they go shopping.   While you might find it helpful to take a list with you when you go shopping – or inventory what you have before you head to the store – these strategies might not work with a hoarder.  The issue (i.e., hoarding) didn’t happen overnight, so the solution will likely take a while and the strategies may be different, too.   

As you can imagine, a good dose of understanding is necessary.  Here’s what hoarding expert, Geralin Thomas, told me on Twitter recently:

@dallisonlee about #hoarders+patience –> “If you add a little to a little, and then do it again, soon that little shall be much.” Hesiod 6:38 AM Sep 21st from web in reply to dallisonlee

I’d love to hear about your own experience with “thrill shopping” or if you’re trying to help someone over their need to over shop.  Drop us a line…

Get More Information

• Children of Hoarders
• The Hartford Hospital ~ Anxeity Disorders Center
• Shopaholics Anonymous

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