Hey, pal, Nine (🐸☠️) here, I feel you on the shoplifting urges. I have been a petty thief in past both in my other lives and yeah I dragged the body into it irl here in our past.
We haven’t shoplifted in years, but I still get the urge a lot especially when a store is a really good ‘mark’. (Narrow aisles, aisles blocking the view between the desk and the exit.. hahah…)
Here is my advice on how I stop myself.
I remind myself that it just ain’t worth the hassle if I get caught.
An interaction with a security guard, cop, etc would just fucking ruin my day. Even if I’m real good (and yeah I am pretty good) the chance of getting caught just isn’t worth interrupting my day.
I will also warn you that once you have shoplifted you get a sting of anxiety EVERY time you go through a store alarm gate, even when you haven’t done anything. Super shitty drawback.
I indulge the itch sometimes by playing stealing games with people I know and trust. Stealing stuff out of their room or purse or whatever when they aren’t looking (they have agreed to this) and then giving it back later. That way it’s like a magic trick, you know?
I am sorry you are dealing with these urges and itchy fingers anon, I hope my advice has been worth something. Lemme know if I can do any more to help.
Peace, pal.
