Do you know that feeling when, after a long day, you pick up your phone just for a moment (that’s what you tell yourself), and a few minutes later you already have three items in your cart that you didn’t plan to buy at all? Then you take the next step - clicking “Buy Now” gives a momentary relief, maybe satisfaction and a sense that you just did something nice for yourself. Then a few hours pass, reality sets in - a payment notification, an account balance that looks scary, and on top of it all, guilt

You are not the only one who experiences this. ADHD is not only about difficulty concentrating or organizational problems. It also means greater susceptibility to impulses, strong emotions, difficulty delaying gratification, and a specific way the brain works that often demands immediate stimulation.

Altered perception of time, emotions, and neurotransmission - all these elements play a role in your everyday and financial life. Let’s look at this more closely.

People with ADHD often have difficulty judging how much time really passes and how long it takes to wait for the effects of their decisions. Because of this, the future seems distant and unreal, while what is available right now seems much more tempting.

With ADHD, the brain processes dopamine - the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation and pleasure - a bit differently. Research has shown that people with ADHD symptoms more often have a weaker ability to delay gratification. This connection between ADHD symptoms and impulsive buying helps explain why quick purchases feel so rewarding.

When there’s a dopamine shortage, we seek a quick “dopamine boost.” Clicking “Buy Now,” seeing the package on the way, or receiving a “Your order has been shipped” notification - all of this triggers a short burst of pleasure. The problem is that the effect doesn’t last long, and afterward, feelings of guilt, financial chaos, and frustration often appear.

Sometimes we buy to improve our mood, release tension, or fill moments of boredom. In ADHD, emotions can be intense, so it’s easy to fall into situations where purchases become a way to get quick comfort. On the one hand, this is understandable - on the other hand… expensive. 🤑

The goal isn’t to completely stop buying things that bring you joy and pleasure - rather, it’s about regaining control. You make the financial decision, not your impulsive reaction.

At first, it might have seemed abstract - not so much limiting impulses, but having truly organized finances. Sometimes it seems that small purchases (like another mug because it’s pretty) didn’t significantly affect your account. And it’s true - a single small purchase probably didn’t. But the habits that led to them certainly did.

More importantly, the stories you told yourself mattered:

“I’m buying this on sale for half price, so I’m saving 15 dollars!” - No. If it was an unplanned purchase, you still spent 15 dollars that was supposed to stay in your account.

“15 dollars won’t change my finances.” - But 15 dollars spent three times a week adds up.

“I impulsively spend mostly on travel, and travel develops me!” - True, but how much nicer would that travel be if you weren’t carrying the feeling of a financial knife at your neck the whole time?

Try to approach the topic with curiosity rather than guilt, criticism, and judgment. First, ask yourself: what really happens at those moments when you click “Buy Now”?

Notice when the temptation appears most often. Maybe it’s in the evening when you’re tired? Or when you feel stressed and want something to distract you? Or scrolling social media triggers comparison with others - and suddenly you want exactly what they have?

Recognizing these moments is the first step to change. It’s not about analyzing your budget down to the last cent - it’s about noticing what triggers the impulse. Often autopilot mode kicks in and your hand clicks faster than your brain can think.

Before you click “Buy Now,” say STOP to yourself.✋ Take a deep breath and ask: Do I really need this or do I just want to feel better right now? 🤔💭 Sometimes just realizing this difference works wonders.

Try removing temptations from sight - like with habits in general: make the path easier toward what you want to achieve, and harder toward what you want to limit. In this case:

This gives you more decision space. Also, clean up your social media feeds.

If you feel like you want to buy something - write it on your wish list instead. Come back to it after a day or two. Many things simply lose their appeal once the emotion fades. Alternatively, you can add items to your cart but not buy them immediately - check back after 24 hours.

Automation can be your ally. If you have automatic transfers set up for bills and savings, there’s less money tempting you in your account. Then, what remains can be allocated to things that really matter to you. Yes, sometimes that might be a thoughtful purchase or even a new candle calling your name - but it’s something that actually brings you joy and fits your budget.

The goal isn’t to eliminate purchases from your life entirely. It’s something much more important - greater awareness and control. Decisions about spending should come from your needs, not from impulse or emotional tension.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. There will be moments when you stop in time and moments when you click “Buy Now” before you even think. And what? That’s okay!👍 Change is a journey, not a sprint.

Try combining different strategies - simple barriers (like logging out of apps or introducing a pause before purchasing), automation, and, above all, working with your own emotions.✨ Sometimes creating a safe financial environment is more effective than sheer willpower.

If you feel impulsive spending is slipping out of control and becoming compulsive shopping, that’s a sign it’s worth seeking support. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you recognize the thought patterns leading to impulsive decisions and learn how to replace them with more conscious choices.

Remember, managing impulsive purchases isn’t just about money - it’s about regaining peace and control over your everyday life.💜