The Anatomy of Human Desire: Why People Buy Things They Don’t Need
Like You didn’t need that cactus-shaped lamp. Your dog didn’t ask for a leather couch. And no one in your house drinks green smoothies, yet the blender is still sitting there… judging you.
So, why do we buy things we absolutely, definitely, hilariously do not need?
Let's talk about this marketing psychology that explains why your Amazon cart is always full at 2 AM.
Because Buying Feels Good
Temporarily Because Buying Feels Good! When you buy something new, especially shiny, useless things, your brain rewards you. It’s basically a psychological high..
A study from the University of Michigan found shopping activates the brain’s reward center more than eating chocolate.
84% of people admit to "retail therapy" at least once a month. So your brain thinks a new shirt is therapy. Your wallet thinks your brain needs therapy.
Because of Emotional Marketing
Emotional Marketing a.k.a. Manipulation With Fonts! Marketers are emotional wizards in business suits. They don’t say:
Buy a sofa. They say, Welcome to a home where memories live! Same sofa but different feels.
Because Scarcity Makes Us Panic-Buy
I'm talking about Limited stock, Only 3 left, Sale ends in 4 hours type offer. Suddenly, we’re sweating over an air fryer we didn’t even know we wanted. Remember that countdown timers increase purchase urgency by up to 300%.
Because Everyone Else Has It
Ever heard about FOMO = Fear of Missing Offers? FOMO isn’t just for vacations and Instagram stories. It’s alive in your shopping behavior.
Even toddlers have FOMO. Give one kid a red toy and suddenly the entire room wants the red one. Because humans don’t grow out of it! They just add Afterpay!
69% of millennials say social media influences their buying decisions. And 47% admit they’ve bought products just to feel included.
Because Brands Are Identity Magicians
People don’t just buy products. They buy versions of themselves. Marketing is identity theater. And we’re all starring in our imaginary glow-up. In 2022, over 35% of gym memberships went unused… but hey, we felt productive buying them.
Because Spending = Self-Care Now
Yes! It's true! Taking care of yourself = buying more stuff! Also Now self-care means buying face masks made of crushed diamonds, lighting $60 candles for your 10-minute bath, ordering avocado oil in three scents.
Because Algorithms Know You Better
Even Then You Know Yourself! You scrolled past an ad. Paused for 2 seconds. And now it's on every app you open for 3 months. That's how predictive marketing works!
Meta like Facebook & Instagram collects over 52,000 data points per user.
Most online platforms can predict your next purchase with up to 80% accuracy.
Your past likes, clicks, even your typing speed? All fair game marketing!
Warming Up
So… What Can We Do About It? You don’t have to become a money monk. Just be a little more conscious, a little more curious. The urge to buy things you don’t need isn’t stupidity. It’s biology + marketing manipulation + bad lighting in your living room.
But awareness = freedom. Next time you’re about to buy something weird at 1:00 AM say this out loud, I am a brilliant human being. This avocado pillow is not the solution to my soul’s emptiness. And then walk away like the legend you are. Thank me later!
BTW thank me by using my name! It's Sultana Afia Tasnim!