Withdrawal

First and foremost, Ramadan Kareem to one and all. While most members of the Dubai society are fasting (foodwise), I have decided to give my bank account a break - I'm on a shopping fast.

The only difference is that I don't get to binge at the mall as soon as the sun sets. This is going to run through the entire month of Ramadan. As I type this, my heart is almost seizing but I have to push through and give this a shot. Usually I give something up for Lent, but for some reason, possibly the fact that I'm living in a Muslim country, Lent came and went without me noticing, so instead, I'll make my sacrifice during Ramadan.

What I hope to achieve is an understanding of what motivates my spending behaviour. I want to see if shopping till I drop really is something I need to do, or even want to do. I plan to monitor how magazine advertising affects my impulses and see if window displays in my favourite stores (bloomies oh bloomies)can pull at my heartstrings and inspire a spontaneous purchase.

So we are into Day 3 of my fast, no impulses yet (must have something to do with me watching Precious this morning and not actually leaving my building)

...watch this space...we'll see what inspires outside of the world of consumerism!