8 things you splurge on that reveal what you lacked as a child - Silicon Canals

"Last week, I bought a first edition management book for $150, even though the entire text is available online for free. It wasn't until my therapist asked me about my childhood relationship with books that things clicked. Growing up in a suburban town where the library was my escape, I remember desperately wanting to own the books I borrowed, to have something permanent that couldn't be taken back. Now, thirty years later, I'm still buying that feeling of security."

"Sometimes it's attention, stability, or control that we're really trying to purchase. Here are eight common splurges that might reveal more about your childhood than you realize. 1. Designer clothes and luxury brands Remember that kid in school with the knock-off sneakers who got teased mercilessly? If that was you, there's a good chance you're now the person with a closet full of authentic designer labels."

Adults often purchase items that provide a feeling they lacked in childhood, such as security, belonging, attention, stability, or control. Buying pristine hardcovers or luxury brands can serve as symbolic trophies or safeguards that replace early shortages. Personal anecdotes show paying for first editions or expensive designer goods despite affordable alternatives. Therapeutic reflection can reveal emotional drivers behind consumer behavior rooted in childhood experiences like library escapes or thrift-store necessity. Identifying common splurges helps connect present spending patterns to unmet childhood needs. Recognizing these links can redirect decision-making toward mindful consumption and emotional healing rather than purely material accumulation.

Read at Silicon Canals