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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every retail application 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 completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I remembered I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning 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 old habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.