Yap Session: Mercari JP demons and how I'm trying to fight them

I literally just posted on my story about the demons I fight on Mercari JP, and when it's hard to resist buying something, and I thought it would be helpful to just like document the demons and what I do to fight them.

The simple answer for what the demons are is: it's cute and it's not overpriced. 

Now, for various gals overprices may mean differently. My type of "its not overpriced" is if it's under 30 dollars, or under 100 dollars for a brand that is typically sold much more expensive (MA*RS is like my only example here lol). I also do a lot of comparison to the brands original selling price and the quality of the item, if it's with tags and under 100 I am like, losing my mind.

Interestingly, I am not like this with Xianyu just because of how damn tedious it is to buy from there. The first piece I bought from Xianyu was cute, but I had no idea about the sneaker replica industry and how a forwarding/shopping service got raided by the Chinese government and for a few days I was unsure if the shopping service I was using would have the same issue. 

But, anyways, back to Mercari JP. There's always that like initial oh my god it's perfect let me drop my money right now and get it, but I have implemented some points for myself to let me stop and like, think about it. 

• I have to ask myself what I like about it. "It's cute" is NOT an acceptable answer. Is it the color? Is it the print? Can I visualize myself wearing this somewhere?
• I need to think of a place to wear this. If I can't figure out if it works for a social event in the city, a casual WFH outfit, or a rare "lets go to the office" outfit, then it's a pass.
• Can I DIY it at home? Can this be something I can easily thrift here in the states? I have to always remember shopping service fees + shipping fees, so it's not really that cheap. This typically removes a lot of simple one color basic skirts etc because those exist everywhere.
• Is the seller even active or is this a lost cause.

If I can give myself answers for these that make me still want the item, I put the item in a "wish list" tab on my phone, and give myself a good while to sit on them. I try to do one big order once every few months, but these past few months I have been using shopping a crutch as a stress relief, even though it only kind of works. Something I'm trying after my last xmas items come in is to wear the items challenge, and hold off from a mercari JP haul until ... March. Oh boy! That will be fun.