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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I launched every shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to try something new. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my financial records devoid of feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.