>>6240794When I was a kid my parents never really bought me toys. They'd also yell at me when they find out that I bought toys for myself using my own allowance. They never explained why this was bad either. Also wasn't allowed to watch cartoon shows before the age of 11.
Now as an adult, I've been conditioned into thinking that doing things I enjoy is dirty, and buying toys for myself is like some kind of forbidden pleasure. I don't play with most of the toys I buy, the act of buying them, receiving them and opening the box is still cool. But the sense of wonder and genuine joy I received from my toys and playing that I had as a kid is gone. Maybe I keep buying shit just to try to find that feeling again.
I also watch a fuck load of anime. That probably came from being banned from watching TV as a kid.
I keep my impulse buying under control by recognizing that my mind feels similar happiness from small purchases as big purchases. I may buy a 2 dollar chocolate egg with a toy animal inside from walmart instead of ordering a 50 dollar toy from online. I try to only buy one toy at a time, since my mind receive much less happiness from multiple purchases. It even gets overwhelmed when there's too much incoming purchases coming in. I might go out for a good meal for 10 bucks instead of buying more plastic stuff I don't need. Basically just try to observe and figure out how your mind works, and try to trick and distract it.
Also sell off some of your collection, it helps a lot. You free off room, stop feeling helpless about the collection of stuff you regret, and get some money back.
