The one question that has helped me stop shopping wildly.
My latest trick which has worked surprisingly well, is to take something I desperately want, totally out of my price range (or something I am saving up for or have on my peripheral but can’t be sure about), and say:
Do I want THIS item? .. Or that?
Which one do I want more?
It not only forces me to make a choice between items (can’t have everything, regardless of what my Instagram says), but it also makes me think: Oh. No. I don’t want THIS item as badly as I want let’s say.. another classic Burberry trench coat in a gorgeous khaki deep green. 😉
I have eliminated at least 4 items since implementing this question as part of my repertoire aside from the usual:
Do I really want this?
Would I wear it?
Does it fill a gap in my wardrobe?
Do I already have another piece I can use instead?
It has worked the most effectively out of all my other decluttering, shopping avoidance strategies.
Give it a shot and report back.
Anne
That’s my method too. When I had difficulties choosing between three clutches in an outlet, I made them duel for my favour and bought the winner of the finals 🙂 Works with items in the shop vs items in my closet as well. I only buy if the item in the shop wins.