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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.