She Strengthens

A Lifelong Struggle: The Devastating Reality of Shopping Addiction

Uncovering the Truth

I still remember the day I discovered my mom’s secret. I was 10 years old, waiting in the front seat of her car after a soccer game. While searching for my lost Game Boy, I stumbled upon her hidden “treasure chest” – a stash of credit cards, receipts, and a new necklace from her favorite jeweler. This was just two months after she had promised to stop shopping, tears streaming down her face. I knew right then that my mom was a liar, and that her addiction to shopping was very real.

A Family Affected

My mom’s shopping addiction has ravaged our family’s finances and relationships. She has gone through dozens of credit cards, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in home equity, and even depleted her inheritance from her parents. She has stolen money to fund her shopping sprees, but never stole the items themselves – the act of buying is crucial to her addiction. Her behavior has led to the loss of my dad, who loved her deeply, and eventually, my sister and I had to distance ourselves from her as well.

The Pain of Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is always a difficult time for me. People expect you to have a loving relationship with your mother, regardless of the past. But they often fail to recognize the severity of shopping addiction, which can be just as devastating as substance abuse. My mom’s addiction has led to evictions, debt, and a lifetime of emotional pain.

Unraveling the Roots

Through therapy and discussions with family members, we believe that my mom’s parents, who struggled financially during her childhood, instilled in her a deep-seated desire to shop as a way to prove her worth and feel valuable. Her experiences of being teased as a child and feeling inadequate have contributed to her addiction. Shopping became her escape, a way to feel like the wealthy women she admired on TV or served at the upscale department store where she worked.

A Cautionary Tale

While my mom’s addiction has taught me valuable lessons, it has also forced me to take drastic measures to protect myself. When I discovered that she had stolen my identity to take out new credit cards, I knew I had to cut her out of my life. My family has done the same, for our own mental health. We’ve heard that she’s now working at an upscale boutique, living the life she wants, but without us. We’re rebuilding our lives, and I’m determined to break the cycle of addiction and financial instability for my future children.

Breaking Free

I’ve learned that I don’t have to follow in my mom’s footsteps. I can create a better life for myself and my future family. It won’t be easy, but I’m committed to being responsible with my finances and building a stable future. I won’t let my mom’s addiction define me; instead, I’ll use it as a catalyst for change.