Decisions Made

When you buy expensive things, you should ask yourself “Do I really want this?” Cheap
clothing can be found everywhere in the United States and much of the industrialized globe.
You can find mountains of under-$20 jeans at any fast-fashion retailer chain. The issue is that all
of this inexpensive clothing is mass produced, marketed, and then thrown away, which has
negative effects on the environment, the employees who made it, and even the mental health
of those who purchase it. But, whether we buy at Forever 21 or Prada, the process is
psychologically the same for all of us. Researchers have discovered that the insula, the region of
the brain that senses pain, influences buying behavior. Our brain compares the joy of
acquisition to the discomfort of payment. Shopping becomes simple fun and becomes less
connected to our actual clothing needs as clothes prices drop. Every time I come across one of
the haul videos that have been so popular on YouTube in recent years, I am reminded of it. If
you give this method of shopping a try, the ideal outcome isn't just to buy less but better. I've
found that by making myself think carefully before making a purchase, I'm more likely to
choose clothing that I actually like and value rather than making a lot of inexpensive impulse
purchases.