REFLECTION PAPER
“CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC”
The movie “Confessions of a Shopaholic” made me realize a lot of things. While
watching the female lead’s journey, I couldn’t help but think about the topics it talks about, such
as adulthood, self-worth, and financial responsibility, that reflect so deeply with many young
people today.
From an early stage of life, there’s a kind of feeling that we just want to grow up quickly
to enter the world where we have all freedom in making choices and being able to express
ourselves. “Being an adult is cool. I hope I grow up fast, I once said. Rebecca is the definition of
this dream. In the first part of the movie, it is clearly stated that she loves the freedom she will
get with full adulthood; for her, it involves dressing up in chic outfits and browsing the high-end
stores. Shopping becomes a way for her to craft her identity and embody the successful adult she
dreams of being. I could relate to this desire; it’s natural to look forward to the perks of
adulthood, imagining that new clothes and possessions are a sign of having “made it” in life. But
this dream can also be a nightmare. Being an adult holds great and huge responsibility. You’ll
never know what comes next. I turned eighteen, which is the legal age in the Philippines, and it
comes with a pile of responsibilities. Like voting, making wise decisions that will affect our
future, etc. So being an adult was once a dream, that being fulfilled but comes with a lot of
warnings.
A line from the male lead caught me off guard. He said, “Cost and worth are really two
different things.” To Rebecca, cost equated to worth. For her, it is just about the price; those
expensive items represented a sense of worthiness. Which also relates to me. I once dreamed of
having luxurious items, branded clothes, and high-end phones, and the reason behind it is
because of the ‘world standard’ that has been set. But I have come to realize that the high prices
do not equate to worth. She also learns that worth is not the price but values, character, and
relationships nurtured. Now, I strongly believe in “get what’s needed, not wanted.” Because
living in a world where everything marks up for a penny, we should be mindful and careful on
how we spend our money. We think thoroughly about what item should be bought out of our
pockets. Practicality is wise.
The movie was an eye-opener. We don’t need to spend much on things we don’t really
need. It does make you happy, but overdoing it is not healthy. Therefore, it’s important to strike a
balance between enjoying the things that bring us happiness and being mindful of what truly
adds value to our lives. Material possessions can offer temporary joy, but investing in
experiences, relationships, and personal growth brings deeper, lasting, and life lessons that’s
truly worth it.
