Q: Dear Todd, I was a minimalist when I was using cannabis every day, and later drinking and smoking cigarettes every day. I felt satisfied with those escapes plus daily meditation and exercise. Then I stopped drinking and within a year started collecting toys. It’s an addiction replacement. I get a high from making the purchases, but honestly, having the toys gives me little to no joy.

Once in a while, I get inspired to make videos with them and that is fun. Also, I get some approval and validation from other people with the same habit/addiction. It’s frustrating feeling like I still have addictive tendencies and a desire for social validation after so many spiritual breakthroughs and so much time just being still. How did I get back on the wheel of suffering?

TODD ANSWERS: First of all, your insights into yourself put you miles ahead of most people struggling with addiction, so you are very close. Like anything else, you need to witness those cravings come and go without acting on them. This will build a new habit of conscious shopping. Check out my videos on smoking and shopping addiction because they are very similar