Retail Therapy: The Unexpected Benefits of Shopping When You’re Depressed

By Kimsue Styles

Let me say this loud enough for the back row. I’m not saying money solves depression, but I am saying that walking through the mall with a pretzel in one hand and a bag of “just-because” finds in the other has lifted my spirits more times than I can count.

Sometimes when I’m feeling low, disconnected, or just… stuck, I find myself wandering from store to store. Not necessarily to spend big, but to feel something again. The smell of a new candle in Bath & Body Works. The softness of a hoodie in Zara. That dopamine hit when you try on something and it actually fits right? Baby, that’s medicine.

Shopping when you’re depressed isn’t about filling a void with stuff. It’s about reclaiming your power in moments that feel powerless. When everything else is spiraling, choosing a lip gloss, picking out a cute journal, or trying on sneakers becomes a small form of control. A soft reminder—I’m still here. I still matter.

And let’s not forget. Putting on something new, even if it’s just a $12 top from H&M, can shift your whole mood. Depression will have you feeling invisible, but a good outfit? Whew. It’ll help you see yourself again.

Now listen, I’m not out here promoting emotional spending. I’m not saying “buy now, cry later” is a lifestyle. But sometimes a little self-investment—whether it’s a new candle, a skincare sample, or that mug from that one store you only go in for fun—can serve as a stepping stone out of the darkness.

So if you’re feeling down, and you find yourself wandering the mall just trying to feel something again? I see you. I am you.

We’re healing one bag at a time.

I love you. I mean it.