SHOULD WE THINK TWICE BEFORE BUYING ONLINE?

Should We Think Twice Before Buying Online?

Let's be honest, online shopping is a modern-day magic trick. One minute you are scrolling through Instagram or browsing Google, and the next, you've somehow ordered a self-watering plant pot, a Bluetooth coffee mug warmer, and five pairs of socks you didn’t know you needed. We've all been there. The internet makes buying things way too easy, and that’s kind of the problem. So here’s the question: Should we be thinking twice before we hit that “Buy Now” button?

In a word, yes, but not because online shopping is evil. It's convenient, often cheaper, and, let's face it, sometimes the only way to get what we need. But with that convenience comes a few quiet traps we rarely talk about. Let’s unpack this, human to human.

We used to have to walk into a store, hold something in our hands, and think about it. Now? We see a cool gadget on TikTok, and bam, it’s in our cart. Online stores are designed to make us act fast. Flash sales. Limited stock warnings. “Only 2 left!” messages. Free shipping if you spend just a little more. It’s all meant to bypass your brain and hit your dopamine.

But here’s a trick that helps: next time you're about to buy something, leave it in your cart for 24 hours. If you still want it tomorrow, go for it. If not, you probably just saved yourself money and a little guilt.

It’s wild how easy it is to accumulate things: clothes we wear once, tech we barely use, and decor we forget we own. Online shopping has made clutter a quiet epidemic. I’ve been guilty of this too. Sometimes it’s boredom; sometimes it’s emotional, that “I deserve this” moment after a long day. But when our homes start to feel like warehouses and our bank apps send side-eyes, it’s worth asking: Do I need this, or am I just filling a gap?

Online stores often promise easy returns, but anyone who has tried to return an item knows it can be a hassle. Long wait times, restocking fees, or worse, the realization that returning it costs more than keeping it. Not to mention, many returned items don’t actually go back on shelves; they get trashed. Yes. Perfectly good stuff often ends up in landfills. That’s not just bad for your wallet; it’s bad for the planet.

Online shopping might save us a trip to the mall, but what then happens behind the scenes? There’s labor, packaging waste, carbon emissions, and often, unethical working conditions. Many fast-shipping companies rely on underpaid labor or warehouse workers pushed to extremes. That doesn’t mean we have to stop shopping online altogether. But maybe we can choose more consciously. Buy from local or ethical brands. Combine orders to reduce waste. Support small businesses instead of billion-dollar giants.

There are genuine upsides to online shopping too. For people with limited mobility, tight schedules, or those living in remote areas, it can be a lifeline. And sometimes, it’s just fun. Retail therapy is real, and that’s okay. The key isn’t to feel guilty. It’s to be aware. So, should we think twice? Yes, not because online shopping is wrong, but because mindless consumption isn’t helping anyone. Not us, not our bank accounts, not the planet.

So next time you're tempted to check out your cart, you should ask yourself these few questions:

• Do I need this?
• Will I use it more than once?
• Am I buying this because I’m bored, stressed, or just influenced?
• Can I buy it from a better source?

You don’t need to stop shopping online. Just start doing it with your eyes (and heart) a little more open.