Wednesday was one of those days that could not quite make up its mind what it wanted to be, but I don’t mind a day that keeps its options open, as long as I’m not planning a picnic.
It is an appealing sight, clear blue above sombre clouds with saucy bright tops.
.
Perhaps is was the Rapture?
If I lifted my arms, I felt I might fly away.
.
At ground level, my how the scene has changed in a few short days!
After three days of warm weather, as I type this, I look out on a new dusting of snow, with the likelihood of more tomorrow, but at this time of year it will not remain.
.
Whatever the day decided for itself, we had to go shopping – again.
Over a lifetime, how many hours does the average person spend shopping?
.
Considering the subject of shopping, I asked for input from AI, which provided:
Shopping is a complex activity that ranges from a utilitarian necessity to a recreational leisure pursuit. At its core, it is the process of browsing and acquiring goods or services to meet either functional or emotional needs.
That much I could have come up with unassisted.
.
It continued:
Researchers categorize shopping into four primary orientations based on the shopper’s intent:
Acquisitional: Task-oriented and focused on making a specific, intended purchase.
Epistemic: Driven by a desire to acquire knowledge about new products or current trends.
Experiential (Hedonic): Recreational activity designed for enjoyment, relaxation, social interaction, or excitement.
Impulsive: Spontaneous buying characterized by high emotional involvement and little regard for consequences.
.
Furthermore it described psychological and social benefits:
Control and Autonomy: Making choices and deciding on outcomes can restore a sense of personal control.
Mood Elevation: The anticipation and act of shopping trigger the release of “happy hormones” like dopamine and serotonin.
Social Bonding: Group trips or shared experiences with friends and family strengthen social connections and reduce isolation.
Identity Expression: Purchases often serve as a tool for self-expression, allowing individuals to project their values or desired image.
.
It goes on to mention: Shopping as a Hobby vs. Chore
While some view it as a mundane chore for survival, others treat it as a legitimate hobby.
Leisure Perspective: Enthusiasts enjoy the “thrill of the hunt,” browsing for unique items even with no immediate intent to buy.
Chore Perspective: For others, especially when managing basic family needs, shopping is a time-consuming labor or “obligatory activity”.
Physical Activity: In-person shopping provides light exercise through walking, reaching, and carrying items, which can be particularly beneficial for seniors.
.
And offers the following:
Warning Signs: When shopping becomes a primary coping mechanism for stress or negative emotions, it can escalate into a behavioral addiction (compulsive buying disorder), leading to financial strain and emotional distress.
Are you interested in how online shopping specifically compares to in-person experiences, or would you like tips on practicing mindful shopping to keep it a healthy hobby?
.
There was a time, long ago, when I found a little shopping therapeutic. Wandering around a mall, mostly window-shopping, took my mind off other things.
When thinking of gifts, I liked to browse different types of shops for ideas and often bought things to put away for the future.
Fact of the matter is, I have a box of such items stowed away in a cupboard even now, clearly no longer destined to become gifts. They represent one more task I am forever “getting around to” and never do.
There is nothing of great value in there, but those items deserve to be in circulation.
A trio of elephant ornaments, carved in semi-precious stones.
A cake slice with a ceramic Portmeirion handle.
A Portmeirion dish that was issued for the Millennium.
When my parents went back to England, they lived in a small town in Wiltshire that had a lovely gift shop where I could always find nice gifts and Portmeirion ware was a favourite.
.
It’s a long time since I looked in that box and I’ve forgotten what else it contains but one item is in a box of its own and I really must find a home for it. I bought it online.
It is a papier-mache cat, made from recycled newspaper in the Philippines. It has been in that box for years. I didn’t have anyone in particular in mind when I ordered the ornament, but I liked it and I have lots of “cat friends”, so I was certain that it would find a good home.
Yet there it still is, back in my closet with all those other things waiting to get sorted.
.
The last shopping I did was when I moved into a large house in Washington for the purpose of fostering cats. I needed a few rugs and as, by then, I was no longer mobile enough to traipse about a mall, I consulted my computer which led me to Novica:
NOVICA was founded in 1999 by a group of people from around the world, including Andy Milk, Charles Hachtmann, Michael Burns, Mina Nercessian and Jose Cervantes
…we see a bright future that celebrates artisans who take the time to create an item by hand. A future where time is protected, where stories are told, where unique details are honored. Love, respect, inclusiveness become our drivers.
We see an open-minded world that builds deeper bonds across nations, religions, and communities, forging cultural understanding, mutual respect and admiration.
.
Novica could be seriously addictive. I bought several rugs that came from India and could not have been happier. I have them still, despite many years of living with so many cats!
In a moment of weakness I bought several smaller rugs that I use as wall hangings but luckily common sense had not totally abandoned me and I forced myself to stop browsing their lovely website.
It is a great place to find unusual and good quality gifts while supporting artisans all over the world. One can only hope that the world will return soon to functioning in some sort of order.
.
Pictures of a moody Wednesday morning.
Sunset provided a whole different set…
.
Apart from your excellent, as always, photos, Carolyn, there is nothing in your post that resonates with my interests, as I am not addicted to shopping or even wanting to know what Google’s definition might be.
Joanna
Having just looked at Novica, I can see why it could become addictive!
My word, I have never thought so much about shopping as AI does. For me, it is simply a necessity that needs to be done to fill our food cupboards (it’s definitely not a hobby for me). But I really enjoy walking around open-air markets and buying fresh produce – maybe because it feels like I’m in nature. You have captured amazing clouds!