ACOT Message Board

Geez these sales are killing me! I have enough supplies here to have my own warehouse sale, yet I still can't stop adding to my cart! I have no willpower!!!

pawprints wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:48 pm

Geez these sales are killing me! I have enough supplies here to have my own warehouse sale, yet I still can't stop adding to my cart! I have no willpower!!!

Because you can. 

Besides, what else do we have to do on this cold, snowy day?

Same disease here ... I do think that scrapping/making cards is good for my mental health so I try to justify purchases as being cheaper than therapy. 

Until you have to rent a storage space! I'm busting out the door! But I agree, I find that it's great for my mental health (especially when a package arrives) plus I get to create even more!

wimom wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:59 pm

Same disease here ... I do think that scrapping/making cards is good for my mental health so I try to justify purchases as being cheaper than therapy. 

 

I was attempting to go on a January spending freeze. Here is January 4th and I've already placed two orders. Major failure!! 

emmapaige wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 5:11 pm

I was attempting to go on a January spending freeze. Here is January 4th and I've already placed two orders. Major failure!! 

That made me laugh so hard!!!  

Laura wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:58 pm

Besides, what else do we have to do on this cold, snowy day?

Well I SHOULD be in my scrap room cleaning it up. But here I am adding to it. LOL!

wimom wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:59 pm

Same disease here ... I do think that scrapping/making cards is good for my mental health so I try to justify purchases as being cheaper than therapy. 

Excellent way to rationalize it!

Lisn2cats wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 5:08 pm

Until you have to rent a storage space! I'm busting out the door! But I agree, I find that it's great for my mental health (especially when a package arrives) plus I get to create even more!

wimom wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:59 pm

Same disease here ... I do think that scrapping/making cards is good for my mental health so I try to justify purchases as being cheaper than therapy. 

I know what is it about a package arriving that is just so exciting and makes you feel so good! And yes I am busting out the door too!
 

emmapaige wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 5:11 pm

I was attempting to go on a January spending freeze. Here is January 4th and I've already placed two orders. Major failure!! 

LOL you have as much willpower as I do! I don't do a spending freeze because it would be an Epic Fail for sure.

Is there room for more on this boat?

I’ve placed 5 orders since december 30th to be honest, one was only new trimmer blades, but still…

I will justify myself a little, because I’ve spent the whole day making page kits from my existing stash, and I even started each kit with pictures and a piece of paper, that I had already cut into. 

My room is also in need of cleaning up, and I’ve started to put things aside, that I no longer love. When I’ve filled the box, it’ll be put up for sale at a local fb group.

I truly believe buying scrapbook supplies and using scrapbook supplies are  2 separate hobbies.  

I'm  busting out the door also.  I took advantage of the Black Friday sales and the Chrsitmas  sales.  I need to stop.   So far, I'm  doing good.  No spending for January  yet.

mizz_kitty21 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 6:41 pm

Is there room for more on this boat?

I’ve placed 5 orders since december 30th to be honest, one was only new trimmer blades, but still…

I will justify myself a little, because I’ve spent the whole day making page kits from my existing stash, and I even started each kit with pictures and a piece of paper, that I had already cut into. 

My room is also in need of cleaning up, and I’ve started to put things aside, that I no longer love. When I’ve filled the box, it’ll be put up for sale at a local fb group.

Oh I have already started a collection for our next swap box!
 

Kelly_R wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 7:21 pm

I truly believe buying scrapbook supplies and using scrapbook supplies are  2 separate hobbies.  

I'm  busting out the door also.  I took advantage of the Black Friday sales and the Chrsitmas  sales.  I need to stop.   So far, I'm  doing good.  No spending for January  yet.

I totally agree with you! Definitely two separate hobbies!

I JUST PLACED AN ORDER FOR MY MAGNETIC BIG SHOT PLATE THAT WAS ON CLEARANCE FOR HALF THE PRICE PLUS I ADDED A FEW EXTRA ITEMS TO MY ORDER................. I'M WAITING FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE I PLACE ANOTHER ORDER....................... I ALSO GET EXCITED WHEN I GET A PACKAGE FROM ACOT EVEN WHEN I GET THE MONTHLY ENVIE MY HANDS SHAKE A LITTLE CUZ, I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT I GOT.................... EVERY ENVIE I'VE REC'D HAS BEEN AWESOME............................... IT'S SO MUCH FUN GETTING AN ENVIE EVERY MONTH................ I TO AM BUSTING OUT AT THE SEAMS........................ HEHEHEHEHEHE SO LADIES IF YOU WANT TO GET EXCITED MORE EACH MONTH SIGN-UP FOR THE ENVIE EXCHANGE IT'S WONDERFUL GETTING SURPRISED EVERY MONTH..................... VALERIE

wimom wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:59 pm

Same disease here ... I do think that scrapping/making cards is good for my mental health so I try to justify purchases as being cheaper than therapy. 

Definitely an addiction. I need a 12x12 step program.
 

Lisn2cats wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 5:08 pm

Until you have to rent a storage space! I'm busting out the door! But I agree, I find that it's great for my mental health (especially when a package arrives) plus I get to create even more!

wimom wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:59 pm

Same disease here ... I do think that scrapping/making cards is good for my mental health so I try to justify purchases as being cheaper than therapy. 

Yup! We are addicts! And that excitement of the new package? It releases endorphins - kinda like happy juice for the brain.

Laura wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 4:58 pm

Besides, what else do we have to do on this cold, snowy day?

Cleaning the craft room! Why? So I can shoehorn more stuff in, of course!

Kelly_R wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 7:21 pm

I truly believe buying scrapbook supplies and using scrapbook supplies are  2 separate hobbies.  

 

I totally agree with this concept!
However, too much buying leads to hoarding, which is a serious mental health problem that can only be fixed with therapy.
Receiving packages is "passive" pleasure, whereas creating with supplies is "active" pleasure.
Shifting to active pleasures is similar to increasing any start behavior (start exercising more, start eating more healthily, start a gratitude journal, etc.).
Establishing and keeping small goals is more motivating than guilting and punishing. Example of punishment would be telling self that buying is "frozen" until 20 layouts are completed. It is also an example of co-mingling two separate problems, which is rarely successful.
My advice would be to establish separate goals that are do-able and contain intrinsic satisfaction/pleasure (rewards). Keeping track of the accomplished goals is also helpful to keep the focus on the positive, rather than the "failures". Some people enjoy using the (2) January Goals - ACOT Message Board thread, but I caution against the tendency to focus on unmet goals at the end of the month. Shift to celebrating progress and achievements for best effect.
I also caution against setting restrictions on creativity such as "I have to clean my craft room before I can do anymore creating." That is setting an awful task that has to be met before you can do the healthy pleasure creating activity. If you want to set hurdles, then put them in front of the dysfunctional behavior: I can't buy any more supplies until I clean and organize my craft room. 
Anyway, thanks for presenting this universal dilemma. Let's empower each other to make progress on our goals!