I am in two minds about big sale events like Black Friday.
On the one hand, they’re exciting! Getting something on sale is quite rewarding. It almost feels like an achievement, or like Kim in season 3 of Kath & Kim puts it: ‘I think I saved so much with what I spent, I might have actually made money.’ (the origin of girl math if you ask me).
On the other hand, I find big sale events overwhelming and exhausting.
For the past month, I’ve been receiving emails, SMS and ads promoting deals that are “not to be missed”.
When did Cyber Weekend turn into Cyber Week and Cyber Month?
I have a list of things I buy regularly, and it makes sense to stock up now while they’re on sale.
I also have a list of things I’ve been thinking about buying for a while, and a list of newly discovered nice-to-haves.
Yet, I’ve been procrastinating on actually purchasing anything because my attention is pulled in so many directions that I struggle to focus and make decisions.
I’m actively avoiding buying anything at this stage.
I wonder if anyone else feels this way?
I think the negative feelings around a big sale event come from the sheer overwhelm of offers, and the pressure this creates.
Psychologically, we tend to struggle with the fear of missing out (on a deal), which is often interpreted as a loss by the brain.
This can lead to impulsive buying, which might provide temporary satisfaction, but often leads to buyer's remorse once the initial dopamine hit has subsided. This can then contribute to stress, anxiety, and feelings of guilt.
For myself here at Self Cared, I always wanted the business to be about more than selling products. It’s about having an open conversation and making mental health tools more accessible (which I think does include going on sale every now and then).
I have thought long and hard about whether to add another great deal to the pile of offers out there, and I decided to do it in the end.
With the cost-of-living ever increasing, I thought that a 20% storewide sale could be my little gift to help you get your purchases for Christmas and Kris Kringle sorted, send a thoughtful gift to someone who’s going through a hard time, or buy something just for yourself.
Don’t feel pressured though, the products will still be there when the sale ends. And anything that sells out, will likely be restocked. If there’s ever anything you’d like us to stock or are wondering when it comes back in, just send us an email.
To help you navigate the overwhelming amount of sales on offer, I’ve put together some tips for shopping mindfully this Black Friday:
- Set a budget
- Don’t let the fear of missing out get the better of you - pause, breathe and remember even fomo is just a feeling that will pass
- Make a list of things you use regularly and can stock up on while they’re on sale
- Make a list of things you’ve been meaning to buy (for me it’s new running shoes!)
- Check your wish list of things you’ve been eyeing for a while - perhaps you can use the opportunity to treat yourself to something special
- Think about why you’re buying something and ask yourself if you really need the item or if it's just the excitement of a good deal influencing your decision.
- Avoid impulse purchases: Sleep on it before committing.
- Check if sale items are returnable (just in case you change your mind later)
While this can be a stressful period of the year, I hope these tips help you take the pressure off a little bit. Whether you're immensely enjoying all the sales, or feeling overwhelmed, remember that it's OK!
Feel free to email me at hello@selfcared.com.au and share how you're feeling about Black Friday this year - I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic.
Sending much love,
Nathalie - founder
Enjoy 20% off storewide
Discount applied automatically at checkout.
Excludes digital gift cards and sale items.
Sale ends 27.11.2023 at midnight AEST.
