Browse Airbnb Whenever You Feel Like Shopping in the Store
As much as I hate to admit it, I’m a stress buyer . In particular, I am an online stress shopper. In fact, I have never been a “salesperson” – even in the 90s, when “likes to go shopping” was considered a personality trait for young women.
But when I’m particularly worried about something, I can’t resist searching for something on the Internet, whether it’s a compact yet effective drain snake, a cotton caftan, or a vintage Amelia Earhart carry-on (and yes, these are all relevant recent Internet searches). It’s okay when I’m just flipping through the pages, but sometimes when I come across something I just can’t refuse – say, the aforementioned baggage – I can’t help but make a purchase.
Why do we do this
It’s not just me: shopping in a stressful or anxious state is common. According to a 2013 survey, nearly one in three Americans turn to retail therapy to deal with stress. Additionally, a study published in 2001 examined how and why shopping is used as a coping mechanism for stress, and a 2013 study showed that it can help reduce sadness and regain feelings of control.
Try this instead
But stress-related shopping can get very expensive very quickly, so I turned to another stressful occupation: planning hypothetical trips that I may or may not ever take. This makes sense given that this is a literal escape. And despite the problematic aspects of Airbnb, it’s still my favorite way to visit a new place and pretend I’m living there – like trying on a different life over the weekend.
My stressful Airbnb experience began a few years ago when I was planning my dream trip to Prince Edward Island. I spent hours scrolling through the listings trying to find the perfect Anne Shirley-inspired vacation spot. I eventually found it in the form of a one-room school building from the 1850s that had been converted into a residential building. But even after I booked it, I couldn’t help scrolling through the site looking at other PEI properties.
I soon saw them all (it’s a small island), so I moved on to looking for places to stay in upstate New York for a short weekend trip that I had no intention of doing. Clicking the save button on Airbnb lists is now the equivalent of clicking the buy now button on Amazon Prime, but somehow even more satisfying. I’ve even booked and stayed at some of these Airbnb properties, though most of them just stay on my favorites lists. Now this is my usual anxious activity – and much friendlier in my bank account.