Late Night Cravings & Regret

Breaking the Shame Loop: DoorDash & New Moms

Exhaustion, endless nights, and the siren song of DoorDash. You're not alone. Learn how to escape the cycle of impulse spending and guilt.

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🧠 Behavioral Science Based•⏱️ 5 Min Read

9:41

Opening doordash...

Taking a breath?

You set a goal to save $500 this month. Let's pause for 60 seconds.

Cooling Down... 0:59

Unburdened

DoorDash: $35 order confirmed!

It's 3 AM. The baby is finally asleep, and you, a new mom, are scrolling through DoorDash. This scenario is all too familiar. Exhaustion hits, and suddenly, a family-size pizza seems like the only answer. But the next morning, the guilt creeps in – another late-night order, another hit to the already strained budget. Many new moms feel trapped in a **shame loop**, fueled by exhaustion and the allure of convenience that DoorDash provides.

Trigger

Exhaustion & Sleeplessness: The relentless demands of motherhood lead to profound fatigue, making impulse decisions more likely.

→

Behavior

Impulse DoorDash Order: Seeking immediate relief, a DoorDash order promises quick satisfaction and a break from responsibilities.

→

Reward

Temporary Relief & Comfort Food: The immediate pleasure of tasty food offers a fleeting escape from the stresses of new motherhood.

→

Guilt

Shame & Financial Regret: After the temporary high, guilt arises over the financial implications and perceived lack of self-control.

The cycle repeats, reinforcing the habit. Understanding this loop is the first step to breaking free.

💡

You're not failing. You're navigating one of the most demanding periods of your life. It's okay to seek support and find strategies to manage these impulses without judgment. Remember, every new mom deserves compassion and understanding.

Acknowledge the Exhaustion

The first step is recognizing the root cause: sleep deprivation and overwhelm. As a new mom, be kind to yourself and acknowledge the immense pressure you're under. Self-compassion is key to breaking the cycle. Instead of berating yourself, try saying, 'I'm exhausted, and it's understandable I'm craving comfort.'

Implement 'Purchase Pauses'

Use Unburdened's "pause" feature to create a buffer between impulse and action. That 60-second wait can be enough to break the immediate craving. Think of it as equipping a **'DoorDash Delay'** in your new mom toolkit. During the pause, try a quick meditation or a few deep breaths.

Set Realistic Spending Guardrails

Establish daily or weekly spending limits within the Unburdened app. These aren't restrictions, but rather **financial guardrails for sleep-deprived moms**. Use the location-based guardrails to avoid temptation when you are out running errands. For example, set a limit that still allows for occasional treats but prevents excessive spending.

Track & Forgive

Use Unburdened to track your spending without shame. See it as data, not judgment. If you slip up, forgive yourself and refocus on your goals. Remember, progress, not perfection. Analyze your spending patterns to identify triggers and adjust your strategies accordingly.

Night Mode Sanity Saver

Scrolling at night leads to impulse buys. Activate Unburdened's night mode to reduce eye strain and visual temptation. Think of it as your **'Nighttime Sanity Saver'**. The blue light emitted from screens can also disrupt sleep, exacerbating exhaustion. Night mode helps mitigate this.

Break Free From the Shame Loop

Unburdened provides the tools and support you need to manage impulse spending without guilt. Reclaim your financial well-being and your peace of mind. It's time to prioritize your mental and financial health as a new mom.

Get Started Today

Learn more about boohoo shame loop. Read Guide →

Unburdened Financial Psychology Team

This guide was created by the Unburdened research team, combining behavioral economics, psychology, and data from over 10,000 users to help you break impulse spending loops.
Fact Checked • Expert Reviewed

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0:00-0:03

The Hook

Visual

Green screen with article headline or related app icon (e.g. DoorDash) in background.

Audio / Script

""Breaking the Shame Loop: DoorDash & New Moms.""

0:03-0:15

The Problem

Visual

Face to camera, nodding/empathetic.

Audio / Script

"You know the cycle. Exhaustion & Sleeplessness: The relentless demands of motherhood lead to profound fatigue, making impulse decisions more likely.. Then you feel Impulse DoorDash Order: Seeking immediate relief, a DoorDash order promises quick satisfaction and a break from responsibilities.. So you Temporary Relief & Comfort Food: The immediate pleasure of tasty food offers a fleeting escape from the stresses of new motherhood.."

0:15-0:45

The Fix

Visual

Pointing to text overlay (Green background, white text).

Audio / Script

"Here is the 5-step fix. Number 1: Acknowledge the Exhaustion. Number 2: Implement 'Purchase Pauses'. Screenshot this next part."

0:45-0:60

The Close

Visual

Showing Unburdened App screen blocking the purchase.

Audio / Script

"Or just download Unburdened. We automate this friction for you so you don't have to use willpower. Link in bio."