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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.