Is Shopping Out of Style?

I remember being a young girl. My mom was paid every week, and each Saturday we’d head to a mall to shop. The day always started with me recognizing the trees and streets that led to my favorite place. As we pulled into the parking lot, I’d get excited because I just knew it was going to be a good day.

Since then, I’ve always loved to shop. Finding a new outfit or the perfect pair of shoes, then wearing them to school, work, or an event, gave me a boost. That feeling of knowing I looked as good as I felt is something I believe every girl and woman deserves, without guilt or shame.

But now, as a young middle-aged woman who has lived through a lot, and in a world filled with taxes, inflation, and economic shifts, things feel different. Honestly, they haven’t felt the same in years. Early in adulthood, something changed in me. Depression and self-doubt crept in and lingered for more than 15 years.

The things I once cared about no longer mattered. I stopped caring for myself—physically, emotionally, and mentally. I still shopped, but it didn’t bring the same joy. After gaining a lot of weight, shopping became more about finding something appropriate for work, church, or brunch, rather than looking and feeling my best. You know that feeling when you walk into a room and you know you look good? I wasn’t dressing for that anymore.

Now, I’m in a new season of life. I’m becoming the woman I’ve always wanted to be. I’ve realized that life is short, and those dark years I lost can be redeemed. Through prayer, lifestyle changes, and small wins that led to big revelations, I’ve found a new kind of joy.

Still, I have a push-and-pull relationship with shopping. Sometimes I wonder: Is shopping out of style?

With the rise of luxury lifestyle content on social media, especially in the past five years, the word overconsumption is often used to shame people for what and how they buy. For those of us who genuinely enjoy shopping, this can create feelings of guilt or self-consciousness. So I ask myself, has the fun of shopping and discovering little things that make us happy faded away?

I think for some, the thrill really is gone.

With economic shifts, job losses, health scares, and other major life events, many people have had to rethink how they spend money. For some, shopping still brings joy, but there's more awareness and sensitivity around it. People may not talk about it as openly or might avoid showing what they buy.

Then there are people like me, somewhere in the middle. I still love finding new (or “new to me”) items that help me look, feel, and even smell good. But I have to be mindful of what I spend and choose the right moments to treat myself.

And that’s okay. Every perspective is valid, depending on where you are in life.

Here’s what I believe: If shopping brings you joy, if giving gifts to yourself or others makes you happy and you can afford to do it, then go for it. If shopping feels unnecessary or overwhelming, that’s perfectly fine too. You shouldn’t feel ashamed for where you are or how you feel. We’re all on different paths, and none of them look the same.

One of the greatest joys I’ve found at this stage in life is living in my truth. What that looks like depends on where I am mentally, physically, and financially. And one of the best parts of being a woman is knowing I can change that anytime I want. I think now shopping is actually more accessible through online shopping options like QVC, HSN, TikTok Shop and Instagram, and depending on if you like thrift foraging or discount shopping, it can be affordable and fulfilling when going to brick and mortar shopping centers. But no matter whether shopping is out of style or not - it really doesn't matter. What matters most is that you do what you want with what you have. And I hope this blog and the resources provided will help you do just that!

If this post resonated with you, share it with someone navigating their own version of this journey.

XO - Carmen C.