Navigating the Sale Storm
We can't stop sales seasons, we can't ask platforms to be less flashy or less stimulating, but we can learn to weather those storms.
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Phuoc AnhBut 29/11/2025
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At midnight, my phone vibrated, and a seven-word text message from my best friend made me jump up: "Hey, I accidentally bought them again." I understood what "accidentally bought them again" meant. When she sent the message, the clock had just struck midnight – the familiar moment for bargain hunters. Her bank card must have just taken a hit. A moment later, she confessed: "I ordered three identical dresses. I don't know why, but when I finalized the purchase, I felt like I needed every style, and since they were 50% off, I rushed to pay, and now they look exactly the same."
The sale season has arrived, and I'm sure every woman has experienced the same shopping feeling as my friend – clicking "buy," even though she vaguely knows she'll be wondering what she bought it for the next morning. It feels like being swept up in an invisible whirlwind. Social media is flooded with people showing off their shopping carts, and e-commerce platforms constantly display reminders like "only a few minutes left," "limits running out"... All of this creates a frantic pace, making everyone feel like they'll miss out on something important if they don't buy now.
Some say that shopping today is no longer simply about exchanging goods, but a "battle" between humans and sophisticated algorithms that understand our psychology even better than we understand ourselves. Just pausing for a few seconds at an item will immediately trigger a flood of suggestions. At that moment, we're not just facing a product, but the fear of missing out – a feeling that makes people willing to buy even when they don't really want to.
FOMO, while seemingly a distant concept, permeates every small decision. Seeing others snag great deals, we want to be the ones to own them too. Many lose control, fearing they'll be left out, afraid of missing out on opportunities they never considered before the countdown began. A colleague recounted that some items she bought last year are still in their boxes because, at the time of purchase, she inadvertently prioritized her desire to be like everyone else over her actual shopping needs. But that feeling – like the excitement of those few minutes of clicking "order" – faded so quickly that she couldn't even remember the exact date of the purchase.
Meanwhile, life is increasingly uncertain. Income is precarious, expenses are rising daily, and any impulsive spending can create a dent in a family's finances. Earning money now requires a great deal of effort. Therefore, spending or not spending is not just about buying an item, but a choice between immediate gratification and long-term stability.
We can't stop sales seasons, we can't ask platforms to be less flashy or less stimulating, but we can learn to weather those storms. Learn to recognize genuine needs and distinguish them from impulsive, driven impulses. Learn to slow down a bit before clicking the checkout button.
I once tried a very simple method: leaving an item in my shopping cart overnight. The next morning, what had excited me the night before suddenly seemed strangely ordinary. Some items I deleted without hesitation. Others I kept, but instead of the overwhelming urge to buy them at all costs, I thought about them more carefully. Slowing down turned out to give me a chance to have a conversation with my own real needs.
Of course, sometimes we don't need to be too hard on ourselves. Buying something we love, using it many times, enjoying it—that's a very human and worthwhile pleasure. But that pleasure is only complete when it comes from a sensible choice, not from impulsive purchases made in a split second that leave us sighing for weeks afterward.
In an era where people are easily drawn into invisible races, maintaining inner peace is a luxury, but it's entirely achievable. Sometimes, it's just a few seconds of calm breathing in front of the screen. Sometimes it's turning off a few notifications. Sometimes it's daring to miss a sale opportunity to hold onto something more important: the money you worked hard to earn and the peace of mind within you.
We don't necessarily need to buy things for fleeting pleasure, nor do we need to prove anything to anyone but ourselves. Everyone has the right to choose what brings them the most peace. And sometimes, the decision not to buy is a kind of silent victory that only we understand.
