Black Friday has turned from a day of discounts into a month of anxiety!
I love shopping and bargains but after being bombarded with hundreds and hundreds of emails that quite frankly feel like accosting (No, I don’t want to add it to my cart! 
) what I would prefer is some peace of mind!
The madness starts a month before and extends into one or two weeks after – the pre-sale ends when the actual sale begins, which ends when the extension kicks in, only to continue with the prize for those who were holding out and couldn’t resist at the last minute.
These offers come filled with mixed messages that keep you guessing and countdowns that are always extended. In other words, the offers come filled with the anxiety of urgency and importance, and as I often discuss in session, anxiety is contagious! And when we are anxious, it becomes harder to think…
I for one become confused with what’s important! I start thinking that a discount is more valuable than:
- Something that I actually want/need!
- Spending time with my kids on a holiday!
- My savings/account balance!
- Doing things at my own pace and in time that work for me
- Not straining my relationship with my husband, making him discuss gifts and spending in a hurry!
The discounts we are offered make us feel the urgency to take advantage of “value” while in reality it creates needs and wants that we don’t have. Is it really a saving if you don’t need or really want it?
We focus on the savings, all the while not understanding (but maybe feeling) that we are paying a big price for this. The price may feel like: buyers remorse, guilt for spending, regret for time lost, a bigger to-do list full of returns or simply a busy and confused mind.
Since last year, I’ve worked on approaching “Black Friday” this way:
- I spend some time unsubscribing from the seemingly inoffensive promotion emails ahead of time.
- I think ahead of time about the needs (and wants) I may have so that when the time comes I can check if there’s a deal for them!
- I create awareness of what I might be giving up in order to snatch a discount (rest, family time, savings) so I can decide if it’s worth it and when/how much time I will dedicate to this.
- I repeat to myself “If something is really worth it, I will likely be willing to pay full price for it!”
- I repeat to myself “When I need it will be better timing than when someone wants to sell it to me”
This is what’s helping me turn this cultural practice and systemic anxiety into something that benefits me. I first notice how it affects me, then I think about what works and what doesn’t, and I make a plan for myself to take charge of the process and make it my own!
Today I’m thankful for all the things I didn’t buy and for the fact this year felt a little less overwhelming than last year!
I would’ve sent this email earlier so it could be useful to you last week but I was a little busy trying to keep my sanity and making sure to prioritize family time. That being said, you can always save it for next year 🙂
What do you want to add to your cart at full price?
What or whom do you want to unsubscribe from?
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