I recently took my four year old to one of her favorite stores, and admittedly one of mine too. I got stuck on a work call in the car for two hours and she hung in there like a champ. I felt terrible so I asked her what I could do to make up for it. Her response? a trip to Hobby Lobby because of the dollhouse section. My oldest daughter did not want to go, so it was the two of us. We had a blast, and I enjoyed shopping through the eyes of my four year old.

We had so much fun walking down the aisles and looking at all of the things that we did not need. With inflation taking a toll, I’ve been saying no to a lot and have felt guilt. However, sometimes we need to say yes because life is short and the value of the memories is much greater. Retail, or shopping therapy are words we use to jokingly give reason for unplanned shopping trips. Today I am here to remind you that retail therapy does help and it’s good for your soul (or sole). Grab your favorite shopping partner and make it happen, I am giving you permission! This is the Story of Shoppers Guilt, and reasons why you should plan a shopping trip and not feel bad about it.

I found myself really letting go the day my daughter and I wandered through that store. I let her push the cart, tell me where to go, and convince me what to buy next. Who can say no to twenty new bows when you already have fifty? The smiles she gave me when I simply said “yes” and the heart warmth I felt when she reminded me “mom, we can’t forget to pick something out for my sister”, with hands on her hips. This trip took me back to the memories I’ve created while shopping as a child. Then I began reminiscing about the life changing events we shop for such as going of to college, marriage, buying a new home, and having babies. I felt much less guilt when I thought of the trip as memory making than I did an errand. I am not encouraging you to empty your bank account, but I am reminding you that sometimes it is okay to splurge. We can feel guilty about shopping but it can also be REALLY therapeutic. The next time you need a pick me up, turn in into a memory making shopping trip, no guilt involved!