The shopping hobby

What are your hobbies? Video games, scalextric, football, couch surfing?

I'm pretty happy to count some of these and more as hobbies I enjoy, along with some healthier ones!

One hobby I cannot abide though is shopping. Now I don't count shopping in general as abominable but shopping when there is no purpose.

I'm not exactly sure when shopping started becoming a hobby, it was probably something to do with the startling 1950's after the frugal war years, coupled with everyone being pushed to keep up with the Jones', it's just not needed - think back, can you even remember any good times you've had shopping. Even big purchases like houses and cars are plagued with feelings of buyers remorse as soon as the deal is done.

So I'm putting this forward, the shopping hobby must be bleached from our collective consciences, out with all the Next's and John Lewis', in with the local butchers and bakers somewhere where you can really buy something that has heart in it! (especially at the butchers, maybe some offal recipes soon?).

To make this clearer I'll break it down.

What is allowable:

Food shopping, essential toiletries, cleaning products, purchasing assets etc

What is not:

Shopping with no detailed list, window shopping, shopping on lunch breaks, shopping whilst hungry, buying stuff because you have money in your bank, buying crap you don't need anyway, shopping because it's the weekend!

Basically any kind of shopping where the item purchased is pretty much going to simply add to the abundance of crap you already have.

I'm saying this from deep personal experience. I have shopped for no reason, it leads to no good. Do something better. Leave your bank balance be, or use it in better ways that don't simply fill landfill and the pockets of sleazy chain stores.

So why don't you break your weekend routine of going to the nearest shopping centre / mall?

Instead go for an amazing nature walk, drag the kids along, or someone else kids, or both! They'll love it, you'll all make some memories that will last longer than the junk you would have bought anyway.

I'll even let you treat yourself to a Sunday roast at the local pub on your way home, it'll be bliss, pint of mild, turkey / veggie roast (delete as appropriate). Go on I dare you!

Got any better plans to escape the weekend shopping centre? Whack them in the comments section, I'm always looking for inspiration :):)

Pic by Charles J Sharp