Shiny Things (STA)

Shiny Things (STA)

Shiny Things Anonymous (STA) is a fellowship for those whose jewelry spending has become unmanageable. We offer support and spiritual tools to break free from compulsive buying and reclaim peace of mind.

12 steps

1. We admitted we were powerless over jewelry—that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity (and financial balance).

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our spending over to the care of that Power.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our buying habits and emotional triggers.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our purchasing patterns.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of desire and compulsion.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our obsession with shiny things.

8. Made a list of all persons, including ourselves, harmed by our financial decisions, and became willing to make amends.

9. Made direct amends wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when tempted to shop impulsively, promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power, seeking knowledge of His will for us and strength to resist unnecessary purchases.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others addicted to jewelry and to practice these principles in all our affairs

13th Step Safeguard

 In this fellowship, emotional vulnerability can occur as we share openly. We safeguard the integrity of recovery by maintaining clear boundaries, avoiding predatory relationships, financial manipulation, and the enabling of compulsive purchases. This program is for recovery, not for networking, dating, or influencing spending.

12 Traditions

1. Our common welfare comes first; personal recovery depends on STA unity.

2. For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority—a Power greater than ourselves.

3. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop compulsive jewelry purchasing.

4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting STA as a whole.

5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the compulsive buyer who still suffers.

6. STA ought never endorse, finance, or lend the STA name to any jewelry dealer, retailer, or financial service.

7. Every STA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

8. STA should remain forever non-professional, though we may employ special workers.

9. STA ought never be organized, but we may create service boards directly responsible to those they serve.

10. STA has no opinion on outside issues; hence the STA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion.

12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, reminding us to place principles before personalities.

12 Promises

1. We will finally know freedom from financial bondage.

2. We will intuitively understand the difference between needs and wants.

3. Our self-worth will no longer be measured by our collection.

4. We will develop healthier emotional coping skills.

5. Relationships once strained by spending will heal.

6. Anxiety around money will decrease.

7. We will be able to walk past stores without temptation.

8. Our homes will feel lighter and more peaceful.

9. We will feel serenity when wearing what we have.

10. We will develop gratitude over greed.

11. We will trust our Higher Power, not our credit cards.

12. We will carry the message of financial serenity to others still struggling.

Slogans

•  "Sparkle Within, Not Without."

•  "One Day at a Time — One Purchase at a Time."

•  "Shiny Things Don’t Fill Empty Hearts."

•  "Buy Peace, Not Pieces."

•  "Wear Recovery, Not Debt."

Acronyms

 BLING - Buying Less Is New Growth

 GEMS - Gratitude Every Moment Stops

 RING - Recovery Involves Not Grabbing

 WATCH - Wait And Think Calmly, Honestly

Who Is a Member?

 Anyone who desires freedom from compulsive jewelry spending is welcome in STA. No dues, no fees—just the willingness to change.

Serenity Prayer

"Higher Power, grant me the serenity to resist the glitter, the courage to face my cravings, and the wisdom to know when enough is enough."

Additional Prayers:

• "Help me value substance over sparkle, and peace over possessions."

• "Relieve me of the need to prove my worth through my appearance."

• "Grant me the strength to walk past temptation and the humility to wear my recovery."

What Needs to Be Talked About:

• Acceptance that self-worth is not tied to appearance.

• Forgiveness of financial mistakes made in pursuit of status.

• Recognizing that material possessions cannot heal emotional wounds.

• Learning to lead by example through modesty and gratitude.

• Avoiding harsh judgments of others caught in the same trap.

• Understanding that chasing status through jewelry often stems from feeling unsafe or unseen.

• Letting go of the false sense of urgency to buy.

• Remembering we are not in immediate danger—we are safe without "armor" of gold or gems.

How This Program Can Help:

• Provides daily tools to interrupt compulsive spending urges.

• Offers a supportive community that understands the struggle.

• Creates accountability through sponsorship and fellowship.

• Builds self-esteem through spiritual connection, not material possessions.

• Encourages healthy financial habits and emotional healing.

• Teaches that joy, safety, and love come from within.

Categorized

• Addiction Recovery: Because this program addresses compulsive behavior and loss of control.

• Financial Wellness: It teaches healthy financial boundaries and helps overcome spending-related debt.

• Self-Esteem & Identity: STA supports building self-worth based on internal values rather than external appearance.

• Emotional Healing: It acknowledges the underlying emotional wounds driving compulsive jewelry buying.

• Community & Support: The group setting creates accountability, shared experience, and leadership opportunities.

• Spiritual Growth: It encourages connection to a Higher Power and letting go of material illusions. This program fits within these categories to ensure holistic recovery and daily application of the tools offered.

Other possible categories: Compulsive Spending Recovery, Materialism Awareness, Emotional Dependency Healing.

Step Work

Step 1: Powerlessness & Unmanageability

• How has my jewelry buying caused problems in my life?

• When did I realize I couldn’t control my spending?

• What emotions trigger me to buy shiny things?

• What has my obsession with jewelry cost me (financially, emotionally, spiritually)?

Step 2: Hope & Sanity

• What does “sanity” around jewelry look like for me?

• Do I believe something greater than myself can help with this?

• Where have I seen signs of hope or change already?

• What keeps me from fully believing recovery is possible?

Step 3: Surrender & Trust

• What does it mean for me to turn my will and spending over to a Higher Power?

• What fears do I have about letting go of control?

• How can I practice trusting the process instead of acting on impulse?

• What small action today reflects that surrender?

Step 4: Moral Inventory

• What character traits contribute to my compulsive buying?

• How have my insecurities fueled my jewelry obsession?

• What resentments, fears, or regrets do I carry related to appearance or status?

• How honest am I willing to be about my financial habits?

Step 5: Admission & Honesty

• What truths about my jewelry addiction have I been hiding?

• How did it feel to share these with another person?

• What did I learn about myself by being honest?

• How did this step reduce my shame?

Step 6: Readiness for Change

• Am I entirely ready to let go of my obsession with jewelry?

• What parts of me resist change?

• How does holding onto this compulsion keep me stuck?

• How would my life improve if I truly let this go?

Step 7: Humility & Asking for Help

• What does humility mean to me in this process?

• Am I willing to ask my Higher Power to remove these defects?

• How can I practice being teachable today?

• What spiritual qualities do I want to grow in place of my obsession?

Step 8: List of Harm

• Who have I harmed through my jewelry obsession (including myself)?

• How has my spending affected relationships, finances, or trust?

• Am I willing to make amends to these people?

• How have I harmed my own peace of mind?

Step 9: Making Amends

• What amends can I make to those I’ve harmed?

• How can I repair the damage to my finances or relationships?

• How will I handle situations where direct amends aren’t possible?

• What does living amends look like for me moving forward?

Step 10: Daily Inventory

• Did I act impulsively or obsess over jewelry today?

• What positive actions did I take for my recovery?

• Where do I need to admit mistakes or correct behavior?

• How can I improve tomorrow?

Step 11: Prayer, Meditation, & Guidance

• How can I improve my conscious contact with my Higher Power?

• What spiritual tools help me resist temptation?

• What guidance did I receive when I quieted my mind?

• How can I bring more peace into my daily life?

Step 12: Carrying the Message & Living the Principles

• How can I share my experience, strength, and hope with others?

• What does living these principles look like outside of meetings?

• How has my spiritual awakening changed my relationship with material things?

• How do I stay grateful for progress, not possessions?