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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. 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 uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally look at my financial records without experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.