Addiction please help :(

[Mike Smart]

Compulsive buying is often the result of underlying mental health problems. The 'high' of the purchase is often used to offset the black dog. If the spending is under control, it's not necessarily harmful providing you recognise why you're doing it. It sounds like you're unable to prioritise and that's not surprising if you're battling something like depression mixed with the anxiety of having no work. If it's not too late, cancel or return your recent purchases. That also does a lot of good for the mind. Also look to get help for the underlying problem or you'll never shake the problem off.

Depends what you mean when you say you only buy the best ?. One mans prefered razor is another mans nightmare. from what iv read on here & watched on youtube i don't think there is a best,
There's certainly expensive & there's certainly cheap but some guys prefer the latter.
i haven't been at it as long as you but i thought the same get the best, my first razor i went out and got the feather as-d2s thinking it was the optimum, but i'm now using one of my dads i found after he died, i genuinely don't know the model but for me it's just as good as the feather and knowing my old man he's probably spent a maximum of £10. mind you it's from the 70's. Striving to get expensive is easy but striving the get the best razor for you is a different ball game.
your probably just spending for the sake of it

 

[Lorenzo44]

Depends what you mean when you say you only buy the best ?. One mans prefered razor is another mans nightmare. from what iv read on here & watched on youtube i don't think there is a best,
There's certainly expensive & there's certainly cheap but some guys prefer the latter.
i haven't been at it as long as you but i thought the same get the best, my first razor i went out and got the feather as-d2s thinking it was the optimum, but i'm now using one of my dads i found after he died, i genuinely don't know the model but for me it's just as good as the feather and knowing my old man he's probably spent a maximum of £10. mind you it's from the 70's. Striving to get expensive is easy but striving the get the best razor for you is a different ball game.
your probably just spending for the sake of it

Great comment mate it's very true I have all the top quality stuff but still struggle to get a good shave, I'm finding the most important thing is I need my whiskers to be moist and soft so the blade can just cut them easily with no resistance, but I'm not having much joy with achieving this as don't know how

 

[Mike Smart]

Great comment mate it's very true I have all the top quality stuff but still struggle to get a good shave, I'm finding the most important thing is I need my whiskers to be moist and soft so the blade can just cut them easily with no resistance, but I'm not having much joy with achieving this as don't know how

i'm just a newbie mate so don't take on board any my comments really. What iv read & what iv realised for myself is that a bbs shave is virtually impossible for most. some seem to manage very well. having said that today iv had the closest shave yet with a Feather AS-D2 & feather blade. i bought many blades a few weeks ago and i'm trying them all one by one. i didn't want to try the feather blades until my technique was better and i now think i'm just about there. don't be to hard on yourself it's perhaps something you might never achieve

 

[Lorenzo44]

i'm just a newbie mate so don't take on board any my comments really. What iv read & what iv realised for myself is that a bbs shave is virtually impossible for most. some seem to manage very well. having said that today iv had the closest shave yet with a Feather AS-D2 & feather blade. i bought many blades a few weeks ago and i'm trying them all one by one. i didn't want to try the feather blades until my technique was better and i now think i'm just about there. don't be to hard on yourself it's perhaps something you might never achieve

Thanks mate appreciate your kind words, glad you had a great shave today, it's definitely a challenge getting a BBS and takes alot of practice and work to try to figure out where to improve.

 

[Bob1955]

Thanks mate appreciate your kind words, glad you had a great shave today, it's definitely a challenge getting a BBS and takes alot of practice and work to try to figure out where to improve.

Your hands/fingers will tell you what bits you never shaved as well....as will the use of a alum block, it grates going over the shortest of stubble

 

[Diqiu-Long]

First step might be to sign out of all your shaving related forum accounts, and social media. It doesn't really help to stick around when these places are full with addicts, who mostly don't see it as a problem yet.

It's like staying hanging out with your weed addicted friends, while you actually wanna try to stop. I basically stopped buying shaving stuff since somewhere in 2017 and will not buy, any shaving software anymore until I die....

Actually I'm a frugal person: so money wise it was never a problem, but the wife never was really happy that I was more interested in the local supermarket during travel. Than the sightseeing places.

I'm actually happy that shaving isn't a hobby anymore, and also not an obsession. Because when it's an obsession, I tend to get in heated arguments with total strangers on the internet.

 

[Lorenzo44]

First step might be to sign out of all your shaving related forum accounts, and social media. It doesn't really help to stick around when these places are full with addicts, who mostly don't see it as a problem yet.

It's like staying hanging out with your weed addicted friends, while you actually wanna try to stop. I basically stopped buying shaving stuff since somewhere in 2017 and will not buy, any shaving software anymore until I die....

Actually I'm a frugal person: so money wise it was never a problem, but the wife never was really happy that I was more interested in the local supermarket during travel. Than the sightseeing places.

I'm actually happy that shaving isn't a hobby anymore, and also not an obsession. Because when it's an obsession, I tend to get in heated arguments with total strangers on the internet.

Thanks alot mate for your message, great advice, I know what I should do but just can't seem to break free I did try deleting social media and stop going on YouTube but unfortunately it didn't last long IV just recently brought alot of badger brushes and soaps, it really is a never ending cycle I just feel like I will never be able to concour it, all my life IV struggle with addictions. Big respect to you, you seem like your in a good place

 

[Diqiu-Long]

Thanks alot mate for your message, great advice, I know what I should do but just can't seem to break free I did try deleting social media and stop going on YouTube but unfortunately it didn't last long IV just recently brought alot of badger brushes and soaps, it really is a never ending cycle I just feel like I will never be able to concour it, all my life IV struggle with addictions. Big respect to you, you seem like your in a good place

It isn't easy at all, I couldn't do it in one day as well: it's always a process, which usually starts with realising that certain communities are toxic or intolerance. I'm diagnosed with autism and have experienced lot's of drama on internet, usually I just get banned...

But basically I'm a person who is very straightforward, which ofcourse gets me in trouble: as it isn't accepted always. For example I noticed something on shaving forums, with TSR perhaps being more of an exception.

People basically praise the heaven for expensive, so called artisan shaving soaps for example. But on the same time, they criticize cheap shaving products. Some of which they have never even used it... just for the sake of justifying their purchases or simple showing off...

I mean what's the point? If the Corona outbreak has learned us something, is that all of these shaving stuff is not essential at all. It's a luxury when you can afford it, but on the moment it gets a addiction: then you going experience the negative side effects. For me that's usually getting into heated discussions with strangers, because that's what's happens when I'm obsessed about things.... I'm a bit ocd as well.

I hope you can cope with your addiction, and perhaps turn it in to something which is part of your life? Just like showering: who doesn't enjoy a hot shower? But it doesn't mean you need 20 shower gels, with all different scents with fade away after an hour anyway

 

[sharpstrings]

Hey man, this is my first post on this place but thought it might be a good place to jump in as I've been thinking about this recently. I've only been into wetshaving for around a year or so after i randomly found a Wilkinson sword classic for about 3 quid. Fast forward a year or maybe even a little less, I'm shaving obsessed, awaiting for a package from Executive Shaving, I've been watching shaving videos practically all day the last couple of days.....despite being a final year college student who is broke and is supposed to be writing a thesis among other things at the min. In fact, I ordered a bunch of stuff from executive shaving this week, more than I was anticipating to, then the night after I went back on there, and there's a brush and cream set I kind of wanted in first order but wasn't sure about but then......just one night after telling myself i didn't need the brush/cream, I was basically talking myself into buying that stuff too....
I didn't ......but it took a lot of strength not to haha
I've only been on this forum for a few minutes really, but have been on similar ones before. Just by having a look around, and reading the comments of the other guys, maybe it would be a good idea to take a break from the social/internet side of shaving, or at least think about what you really need and really enjoy that you already have and stick to it. I think it's slightly mad how the pics of shave of the days are so thought out, perfect and featuring such amazing gear and combinations....matching not just in scents etc but colours ...and creating a perfect picture. I imagine this is what women feel like looking at Instagram models or whatever.... but this is just shaving gear......
I just joined and i was thinking wow maybe I'll share what I'm using but I almost felt afraid!
Then again we're all here because of the same reason,I'd say everyone here has the obsession to some degree... but this stuff, and all the videos etc are bound to fuel the fire... maybe to a point where it's outside of just wanting to try the things you're interested in, maybe you want products that match the colour of other products, products that look ''cool' etc.......maybe not the case for you, but that's something i could imagine happening through these sites. I'm only starting my shaving journey and that's why I'm here....and i haven't spend that much realistically yet (although i probably will), so that's why i feel ok saying this shit....maybe it's a different perspective, maybe not....

 

[Boycie83]

Hey man, this is my first post on this place but thought it might be a good place to jump in as I've been thinking about this recently. I've only been into wetshaving for around a year or so after i randomly found a Wilkinson sword classic for about 3 quid. Fast forward a year or maybe even a little less, I'm shaving obsessed, awaiting for a package from Executive Shaving, I've been watching shaving videos practically all day the last couple of days.....despite being a final year college student who is broke and is supposed to be writing a thesis among other things at the min. In fact, I ordered a bunch of stuff from executive shaving this week, more than I was anticipating to, then the night after I went back on there, and there's a brush and cream set I kind of wanted in first order but wasn't sure about but then......just one night after telling myself i didn't need the brush/cream, I was basically talking myself into buying that stuff too....
I didn't ......but it took a lot of strength not to haha
I've only been on this forum for a few minutes really, but have been on similar ones before. Just by having a look around, and reading the comments of the other guys, maybe it would be a good idea to take a break from the social/internet side of shaving, or at least think about what you really need and really enjoy that you already have and stick to it. I think it's slightly mad how the pics of shave of the days are so thought out, perfect and featuring such amazing gear and combinations....matching not just in scents etc but colours ...and creating a perfect picture. I imagine this is what women feel like looking at Instagram models or whatever.... but this is just shaving gear......
I just joined and i was thinking wow maybe I'll share what I'm using but I almost felt afraid!
Then again we're all here because of the same reason,I'd say everyone here has the obsession to some degree... but this stuff, and all the videos etc are bound to fuel the fire... maybe to a point where it's outside of just wanting to try the things you're interested in, maybe you want products that match the colour of other products, products that look ''cool' etc.......maybe not the case for you, but that's something i could imagine happening through these sites. I'm only starting my shaving journey and that's why I'm here....and i haven't spend that much realistically yet (although i probably will), so that's why i feel ok saying this shit....maybe it's a different perspective, maybe not....

Firstly, welcome to TSR!

Secondly, don't ever feel the need to spend serious money on shaving gear to socialise on this forum. This isn't how we operate and would actually encourage and aide a frugal approach by a student such as yourself. We're all interested to hear the journey you take and this could be with a Chinese razor and Palmolive cream. Some up to date reviews on these product would actually help new shavers

The SOTD photos look good as a) there's a number of photography hobbyists on the site and b) this is a hobby for some of us so we're happy to spend that bit of time setting pics up etc.

A final bit of advice - you already own the items that will give you a great shave. Like most of us though, you'll spend a significant amount of time and money chasing shaving nirvana until you realise this. There's nothing wrong with that providing you spend within your means and enjoy yourself along the way.

Get your name down for the newbie pass-around and there's a few products in there you can try.

 

[sharpstrings]

Firstly, welcome to TSR!

Secondly, don't ever feel the need to spend serious money on shaving gear to socialise on this forum. This isn't how we operate and would actually encourage and aide a frugal approach by a student such as yourself. We're all interested to hear the journey you take and this could be with a Chinese razor and Palmolive cream. Some up to date reviews on these product would actually help new shavers

The SOTD photos look good as a) there's a number of photography hobbyists on the site and b) this is a hobby for some of us so we're happy to spend that bit of time setting pics up etc.

A final bit of advice - you already own the items that will give you a great shave. Like most of us though, you'll spend a significant amount of time and money chasing shaving nirvana until you realise this. There's nothing wrong with that providing you spend within your means and enjoy yourself along the way.

Get your name down for the newbie pass-around and there's a few products in there you can try.

Thanks ma

Firstly, welcome to TSR!

Secondly, don't ever feel the need to spend serious money on shaving gear to socialise on this forum. This isn't how we operate and would actually encourage and aide a frugal approach by a student such as yourself. We're all interested to hear the journey you take and this could be with a Chinese razor and Palmolive cream. Some up to date reviews on these product would actually help new shavers

The SOTD photos look good as a) there's a number of photography hobbyists on the site and b) this is a hobby for some of us so we're happy to spend that bit of time setting pics up etc.

A final bit of advice - you already own the items that will give you a great shave. Like most of us though, you'll spend a significant amount of time and money chasing shaving nirvana until you realise this. There's nothing wrong with that providing you spend within your means and enjoy yourself along the way.

Get your name down for the newbie pass-around and there's a few products in there you can try.

Thanks mate, well said and the passaround idea is lovely! I'll happily join in the fun!

 

[Lorenzo44]

Thanks alot for taking the time with your message, really enjoyed reading it. It sounds like your on a dangerous path yourself I can recall being in a similar situation a while back and unfortunately I didn't stop then and now IV ended up spending thousands on this hobby really hope you are able to gain control and don't go down the same path as me. I feel I'm gradually improving and realising more and more how futile it is to just keep buying it's better to just enjoy what you have rather then keep on chasing more. Unfortunately my mind is clear on this but my heart is deciteful and gets me into trouble. It's still very much an ongoing battle for me, if I could make any suggestion to you it would be to study the Bible with Jehovah witness they offer the best help in life and teach you to find happiness in God rather then material things. I know the rights things to do in life but doing it is another story but I guess you just have to keep on trying and they say the key to success is failure