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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

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

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try something new. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.